Getting a Security Deposit Back in Kentucky: No Deadline, Two Waits
Kentucky’s deposit statute has no return deadline. It has a 30-day wait for a tenant who owes the last month’s rent and a 60-day wait for a refund notice. Here is how each works and what to do about it.
Does Kentucky set a deadline to return a deposit?
No. The deposit section lists what a landlord must do with the money and what it must hand the tenant, but it contains no date by which a deposit must be returned (KRS 383.580). Guides that quote a 30-day or 60-day return deadline are describing two other things: waits that favor the landlord when the tenant does nothing. The Kentucky security deposit calculator counts them for your dates.
What is the 30-day wait?
If a tenant leaves not paying the last month’s rent and does not demand a return of the deposit, the landlord may, after thirty days, remove the deposit from the account and apply it to the debt (383.580(6)). A tenant who does demand the deposit is outside that rule, and the landlord then has to rely on the signed damage listings. If you owe rent, say so in writing and ask for any balance.
What is the 60-day wait?
If the tenant leaves owing nothing and a refund is due, the landlord must send notice of the amount of the refund to the tenant’s last known or reasonably determinable address. If it receives no response within sixty days from sending the notice, it may remove the deposit from the account and keep it free of any claim of the tenant or anyone claiming through the tenant (383.580(7)). That is why a forwarding address matters.
How are the days counted?
The day of the event is not counted, and the last day is counted unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, in which case the period runs to the next day that is not (KRS 446.030). A tenant who left on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 owing the last month’s rent has thirty days ending Friday, November 27, so the landlord may act on Monday, November 30. A refund notice sent on Thursday, October 1, 2026 has a sixtieth day of Monday, November 30, and the landlord may keep the deposit from December 1.
Where does this apply?
The deposit section is part of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which a city, county or urban-county government may adopt in its entirety and without amendment (KRS 383.500). Louisville-Jefferson County and Lexington-Fayette County are among the places that have adopted it. Elsewhere the lease and the common law control, and a landlord’s duty to account is not set by this section. Ask your city or county clerk whether the act is in force.
What should a tenant do?
Hand back the keys in writing, give a mailing address, ask for the deposit in writing, sign or dissent from the move-out listing the same day and answer any refund notice in writing, keeping copies. See the Kentucky damage listings and the forfeiture and suing rules.
A checklist for tenants
Hand back the keys and get a dated receipt; give your mailing address and ask for the deposit in writing the same day; sign or dissent from the move-out listing on the spot; calendar day 30 and day 60; and keep copies of every notice, with envelopes.
A checklist for landlords
Keep the deposit in the separate account and keep the account number on file; hold signed move-in and move-out listings; send a refund notice to the last known or reasonably determinable address and keep proof of sending; and count the 60 days from the day you sent it.
Where to get help
Legal aid organizations, the district court clerk and a licensed Kentucky attorney can explain the forms and which rules apply where the property is. Bring the lease, both listings and the dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a deposit return deadline in Kentucky?
The deposit section sets none.
What does the 30-day rule do?
It lets the landlord apply the deposit to unpaid last-month rent after 30 days if the tenant did not demand it.
What does the 60-day rule do?
It lets the landlord keep a refund the tenant did not respond to within 60 days of the notice.
Where is the refund notice sent?
To the tenant’s last known or reasonably determinable address.
Does it apply in every county?
Only where the city or county adopted the act.
Official sources
- KRS 383.580: security deposits
- KRS 383.500: local adoption of the act
- KRS 446.030: computation of time
A local landlord-tenant attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Kentucky statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Kentucky attorney.