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St. Matthews is a small, densely populated independent city located entirely within Jefferson County, Kentucky, bordering Louisville to the east. With a significant share of residents living in apartments and rental housing — particularly around the Shelbyville Road corridor — tenants in St. Matthews frequently search for answers about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Because St. Matthews sits within Jefferson County, and Louisville Metro Government has adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) (KRS Chapter 383), that framework governs most residential rental agreements in this area. This means tenants in St. Matthews benefit from the URLTA's specific protections around deposits, habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process — protections that do not automatically apply in every Kentucky city.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal problem, contact a licensed Kentucky attorney or one of the legal aid organizations listed below.
St. Matthews has no rent control, and none is permitted under Kentucky law. Kentucky is not a state that authorizes municipalities to enact rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. While there is no single express statewide preemption statute identical to those in some other states, the Kentucky legislature has never granted cities the authority to impose rent ceilings on private residential housing, and no such ordinance has ever been enacted anywhere in the Commonwealth.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in St. Matthews can raise the rent by any amount — whether at lease renewal or, on a month-to-month tenancy, after providing proper written notice. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification, and no government body that reviews or approves rent hikes. The only constraint is the notice requirement: on a month-to-month lease, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (KRS § 383.695). On a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be changed until the lease expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
Because St. Matthews is located in Jefferson County and falls under Louisville Metro's adoption of the URLTA, tenants here are protected by Kentucky's most comprehensive set of residential landlord-tenant rules. The key protections are summarized below.
Habitability (KRS § 383.595): Landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition. This includes keeping structural components, plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and common areas in safe working order. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice, tenants in URLTA jurisdictions have specific remedies, including the right to terminate the lease or, in some cases, repair-and-deduct (subject to statutory conditions).
Security Deposits (KRS § 383.580): Landlords must return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. Deposits must be kept in a separate account and may not be commingled with the landlord's personal funds. If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a deposit, the tenant may recover double the amount wrongfully withheld.
Notice to Terminate (KRS § 383.695): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice prior to the next rent due date. A landlord who wants possession at the end of a fixed-term lease must provide written notice of non-renewal if required by the lease; otherwise the tenancy may convert to month-to-month by operation of law.
Anti-Retaliation (KRS § 383.705): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations to a government agency, complaining to the landlord about habitability issues, or organizing with other tenants. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or attempting to evict the tenant within a period after the tenant exercises a protected right. A court may presume retaliation if adverse action occurs within a reasonable time after the tenant's protected activity.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Kentucky law prohibits self-help eviction statewide. A landlord may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force the tenant out without first obtaining a court order. Violation of this prohibition exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages, and the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to regain possession.
Under KRS § 383.580, Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets clear rules for security deposits in jurisdictions — like St. Matthews — that have adopted the URLTA through Louisville Metro government.
No statutory cap: Kentucky law does not limit the dollar amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. Landlords may charge any amount they choose, though market competition typically keeps deposits in a reasonable range.
Separate account required: The landlord must hold the security deposit in a federally insured interest-bearing account, separate from personal funds. The landlord is not required to pay the interest earned to the tenant, but the deposit must remain identifiable and protected (KRS § 383.580(1)).
Return deadline — 30 days: After the tenant surrenders possession of the unit, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit (or the remaining balance after deductions) along with an itemized written statement explaining any amounts withheld. Allowable deductions are limited to unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, or wrongfully withholds any portion without an adequate itemized statement, the tenant may sue and recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs (KRS § 383.580(6)). This double-damages remedy is a significant incentive for landlords to comply and for tenants to document their move-out condition carefully with photos and written records.
Practical tip: Provide your forwarding address to your landlord in writing at move-out. The 30-day clock generally runs from the date the landlord receives your forwarding address, so documenting this delivery protects your right to timely return.
Landlords in St. Matthews must follow Kentucky's court-based eviction process. Self-help eviction — including changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal and may result in liability for the landlord.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must provide the tenant with written notice. The type and length of notice depend on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Forcible Detainer Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord may file a Forcible Detainer action in Jefferson District Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and a court date, typically scheduled within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a district court judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including that the notice was defective, the rent was paid, or the landlord retaliated. If the court finds in the landlord's favor, it issues a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant still does not vacate after the judgment, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office enforces the writ and oversees the physical removal of the tenant. Only the sheriff — not the landlord — may carry out this removal.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: At no point in this process may a landlord lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or take any other extrajudicial action to force the tenant out. Doing so exposes the landlord to a claim for actual damages and injunctive relief by the tenant.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of these laws depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem or question about your rights as a renter in St. Matthews, Kentucky, you should consult a licensed Kentucky attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed above. RentCheckMe makes no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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