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Campbellsville is the county seat of Taylor County, Kentucky, a small but growing city of roughly 11,000 residents anchored by Campbellsville University and a regional Amazon fulfillment center. Like many Kentucky cities outside Louisville and Lexington, Campbellsville has not adopted the state's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which means renters here rely largely on Kentucky common law, the terms of their individual leases, and general statutory protections rather than the more comprehensive URLTA framework.
For Campbellsville tenants, the most common questions involve security deposit returns, the eviction process, and what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs. Because the URLTA has not been formally adopted in Campbellsville, certain statutory protections — such as the explicit 30-day deposit return deadline and the double-damages penalty — may not automatically apply, making the lease agreement and negotiated terms especially important.
This page provides a plain-language overview of Kentucky landlord-tenant law as it applies to Campbellsville renters. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you face an eviction, a withheld deposit, or unsafe housing conditions, contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Campbellsville has no rent control, and there is no local ordinance limiting how much a landlord can increase rent. Kentucky state law does not authorize municipalities to enact rent control or rent stabilization measures, and no such ordinance exists in Campbellsville or Taylor County. There is no statewide statute expressly preempting local rent control — rather, Kentucky simply has no legislative framework enabling it, and no locality in the state has enacted such a measure.
In practical terms, this means a Campbellsville landlord can raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with proper written notice. Tenants have no statutory right to challenge the amount of a rent increase. The only limit on mid-lease rent increases is the lease contract itself — a landlord generally cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease expressly permits it.
Because Campbellsville has not adopted the URLTA, tenant protections here come primarily from Kentucky common law, the individual lease agreement, and a handful of statewide statutes. The following are the key protections available to Campbellsville renters.
Habitability and Repairs: Kentucky common law imposes a general duty on landlords to deliver premises that are fit for habitation at the start of a tenancy. Where the URLTA applies (KRS § 383.595), landlords have an ongoing statutory duty to maintain habitable conditions, but that statute may not directly apply in Campbellsville. Tenants should rely on lease terms, any applicable local housing or building codes, and the implied warranty of habitability recognized in Kentucky case law.
Security Deposits: KRS § 383.580 governs security deposits in jurisdictions that have adopted the URLTA. It requires return of the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized written statement of deductions, and provides for double damages if the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion. In non-URLTA jurisdictions like Campbellsville, the common law still requires landlords to return deposits within a reasonable time, and tenants can sue for wrongful withholding in small claims or district court.
Notice to Terminate: Under KRS § 383.695, landlords in URLTA cities must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. In Campbellsville, where the URLTA may not apply, Kentucky common law traditionally requires reasonable notice — courts have generally treated 30 days as reasonable for month-to-month arrangements. Fixed-term leases expire on the agreed end date without additional notice unless the lease says otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation: KRS § 383.705 prohibits landlords in URLTA jurisdictions from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, complain to a government agency, or exercise any right under the URLTA. While this statute may not directly apply in Campbellsville, retaliatory eviction or rent increases remain legally suspect under general Kentucky equity principles, and tenants facing apparent retaliation should consult legal aid.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Statewide, Kentucky law prohibits landlords from using self-help eviction tactics. A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, or deliberately shuts off utilities to force a tenant out without a court order is acting unlawfully. Tenants subjected to such conduct can seek emergency relief in district court.
Kentucky's URLTA security deposit rules (KRS § 383.580) apply in cities that have formally adopted the URLTA. Campbellsville has not adopted the URLTA, so tenants here rely on common law and their lease terms rather than the specific URLTA deadlines.
No statutory cap: Kentucky law does not limit how large a security deposit a landlord may collect. The amount is negotiated and set in the lease.
Return timeline: Under KRS § 383.580 (applicable where URLTA is adopted), the deposit must be returned within 30 days of the tenant vacating, along with an itemized written list of any deductions. In non-URLTA Campbellsville, the landlord must still return the deposit within a reasonable time — courts have generally viewed 30 days as a reasonable benchmark even under common law.
Wrongful withholding: In URLTA jurisdictions, KRS § 383.580(4) allows tenants to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld if the landlord fails to comply. In Campbellsville, a tenant can still sue in Taylor County District Court (small claims limit: $2,500; regular district court for larger amounts) for the full deposit plus any actual damages caused by improper withholding.
Protecting your deposit: Document the condition of the rental unit thoroughly at move-in and move-out with dated photos or video. Provide written notice of your forwarding address so the landlord can return the deposit. Keep copies of all communications with your landlord regarding the deposit.
Kentucky law requires every eviction to go through the court system. A landlord cannot remove a tenant through self-help — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — without first obtaining a court order. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability in district court.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must provide the tenant with written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord files an eviction complaint (forcible detainer action) in Taylor County District Court. The tenant will receive a summons with a court date, typically scheduled within a few days to two weeks.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant may present evidence at the hearing. Tenants have the right to appear and contest the eviction. Common defenses include payment of rent, improper notice, retaliation, or uninhabitable conditions.
Step 4 — Judgment and Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a judgment for possession. The tenant generally has a short period — often 7 days — to vacate voluntarily. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord can request a writ of possession, which authorizes the county sheriff to physically remove the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who locks out a tenant, removes personal property, or shuts off utilities as a means of forcing a tenant out — without a court order — violates Kentucky law. Tenants subjected to such conduct should contact the Taylor County District Court or a legal aid organization immediately to seek emergency injunctive relief.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, vary by jurisdiction, and change over time. Whether the Kentucky Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies to your tenancy in Campbellsville depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you have questions about your rights or face an eviction, deposit dispute, or habitability issue, you should consult a licensed Kentucky attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or current applicability of the information presented here.
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