Kentucky security deposit law
What should I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Kentucky?
The short answer
Build the paper trail: confirm your forwarding address in writing, then send a demand letter by certified mail citing KRS § 383.580 and the 60 days deadline. A statute-cited demand is the step that moves most cases, and it sets up Small Claims Court if needed.
When a Kentucky landlord goes quiet on your deposit, escalate in writing, in this order.
First, remove their easiest excuse: send your forwarding address in writing (text or email counts, but letter is better) and keep proof. Second, send a formal demand letter by certified mail. Cite KRS § 383.580, state the 60 days deadline and the date it passed, itemize what you are owed, and give a firm response date, typically 10 to 14 days. Certified mail matters: it creates dated proof the landlord received your demand, which is exactly what a judge asks about first.
Third, know the leverage behind the letter: a documented, statute-cited demand shows you will follow through, and the cost of ignoring you goes up.
If the letter is ignored, Small Claims Court handles deposit disputes up to $2,500, no attorney required, and your certified-mail demand becomes your first exhibit. Most tenants never need the courtroom: the letter, done properly, is where the money moves.
The Kentucky rules at a glance. Governing statute: KRS § 383.580. Return deadline: 30 days (60 days with deductions claimed). Court for disputes: Small Claims Court, claims up to $2,500.
Looking for the rules beyond this state? My landlord didn't return my security deposit. What do I do?
See what your landlord owes you under Kentucky law.
Answer a few questions about your situation and get a Kentucky-specific demand letter that applies these rules to your case, ready in about ten minutes.