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Alexandria, Kentucky is the county seat of Campbell County, located just south of Cincinnati across the Ohio River. As part of the Greater Cincinnati metro area, Alexandria's rental market is influenced by both regional demand and Kentucky state law. Renters here frequently search for answers about security deposit returns, how much a landlord can raise the rent, and what steps a landlord must follow before filing for eviction.
Unlike Louisville and Lexington, Alexandria has not formally adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which means tenant protections in Alexandria are governed primarily by the terms of individual lease agreements, applicable common law, and any local housing code provisions — rather than the full suite of URLTA statutory rights. However, a key baseline rule applies statewide: landlords must obtain a court order before removing any tenant, and self-help evictions are prohibited throughout Kentucky.
This guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights law can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific housing dispute, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization serving Campbell County.
Alexandria has no rent control, and Kentucky state law provides no mechanism for local governments to enact it. Kentucky's legislature has not passed a statute expressly preempting local rent control in the same manner as some other states, but it has also never granted cities the authority to regulate rent levels. As a result, no Kentucky city — including Alexandria — has a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance.
In practice, this means your landlord may raise your rent by any amount at any time, subject only to proper advance notice (typically aligned with your lease term or the applicable notice period for month-to-month tenancies). There is no cap on how much rent can increase, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no city rent board or registry process in Alexandria. Renters facing large rent increases have limited legal recourse beyond negotiating with their landlord or choosing not to renew their lease.
Kentucky's primary residential tenancy statute is the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), codified at KRS Chapter 383. The URLTA applies only in jurisdictions that have formally adopted it by local ordinance — Alexandria has not done so. However, several statewide rules and common law principles still protect Alexandria renters.
Habitability and Repairs: In URLTA-adopted cities, KRS § 383.595 requires landlords to maintain premises in a fit and habitable condition, make necessary repairs, and keep common areas clean and safe. Because Alexandria has not adopted the URLTA, tenants' repair-and-deduct or rent-withholding remedies under KRS § 383.635 may not apply directly. Renters should rely on their lease terms and may report unsafe conditions to Campbell County's local code enforcement office.
Security Deposits: Under KRS § 383.580 (applicable in URLTA jurisdictions), landlords must return a tenant's security deposit — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Wrongful withholding can result in the landlord owing the tenant double the amount wrongfully withheld. Because Alexandria has not formally adopted the URLTA, deposit disputes may be resolved under common law contract principles, but tenants should document all move-out conditions carefully regardless.
Notice to Terminate: Under KRS § 383.695 (URLTA), month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before a landlord may terminate the tenancy. In non-URLTA areas, Kentucky common law similarly recognizes a notice period aligned with the rental period — typically one full rental period's written notice.
Anti-Retaliation: KRS § 383.705 prohibits landlords in URLTA jurisdictions from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, contact housing authorities, or exercise their legal rights — for example, by raising rent, reducing services, or threatening eviction. While this statute technically applies where the URLTA has been adopted, tenants in Alexandria who experience apparent retaliation should document it thoroughly and consult legal aid.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Statewide, it is illegal for a landlord to remove a tenant through self-help means — such as changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities — without a court order. This protection applies throughout Kentucky regardless of whether the URLTA has been adopted locally.
Kentucky's security deposit rules under KRS § 383.580 apply in jurisdictions that have adopted the URLTA. Alexandria has not formally adopted the URLTA, so deposit disputes in Alexandria may be governed by the lease agreement and common law contract principles rather than the full URLTA framework. That said, tenants should understand the URLTA standards as a benchmark for what is considered reasonable practice statewide.
No Statutory Cap: Kentucky law does not set a maximum security deposit amount in any jurisdiction. A landlord in Alexandria may require any deposit amount agreed upon in the lease.
Return Deadline (URLTA Standard): Under KRS § 383.580, landlords in URLTA jurisdictions must return the security deposit — or a written, itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. Landlords who fail to comply without justification may owe the tenant double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Practical Steps for Alexandria Renters: Document the condition of your unit thoroughly at move-in and move-out with dated photographs. Provide your landlord with a written forwarding address at move-out so there is no dispute about where the deposit should be sent. Keep copies of all correspondence. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may have a claim in Campbell County District Court, and you should contact Legal Aid of the Bluegrass for guidance.
In Kentucky, a landlord must follow a specific legal process to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction is illegal statewide — a landlord may not change the locks, remove your belongings, shut off utilities, or otherwise force you out without a court order, regardless of whether you owe rent or have violated your lease. Tenants who are subjected to self-help eviction may seek emergency relief in court.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must provide written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
• Nonpayment of rent: Under KRS § 383.660 (URLTA), landlords must give at least 7 days' written notice to pay or vacate. In non-URLTA areas, notice periods may be set by lease or common law.
• Lease violation: Under KRS § 383.660, landlords must give 14 days' written notice to remedy or vacate for curable violations.
• Month-to-month termination (no cause): Under KRS § 383.695, at least 30 days' written notice is required. In non-URLTA areas, a full rental period's notice is the general standard.
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not vacate or remedy the violation after receiving proper notice, the landlord may file a forcible detainer (eviction) action in Campbell County District Court. The tenant will receive a summons and a hearing date.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant appear before a District Court judge. Tenants have the right to present a defense — for example, that the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions, that the notice was improper, or that the eviction is retaliatory. It is strongly advisable to contact legal aid before your hearing date.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a Writ of Possession is issued. Only a law enforcement officer — not the landlord — may enforce the writ and remove the tenant. Tenants typically have a short period after the writ is issued to vacate voluntarily.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Kentucky law does not require landlords to have a specific cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. A landlord may decline to renew a lease for any non-discriminatory reason, provided proper notice is given.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including local ordinances, court interpretations, and state statutes — can change, and the applicability of any law depends on your specific circumstances. If you have a housing dispute or believe your rights have been violated, you should consult a licensed Kentucky attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe does not provide legal representation and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented here as applied to your individual situation.
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