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Versailles, Kentucky — pronounced 'ver-SALES' by locals — is a small city of roughly 9,000 residents nestled in Woodford County, one of the state's most storied horse-country communities. While the city's population is modest, renters here face the same fundamental questions as tenants across the Commonwealth: what protections apply, how much a landlord can raise rent, and what happens if something goes wrong.
Kentucky's tenant protections are governed primarily by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), codified at KRS Chapter 383. However, the URLTA only applies in Kentucky jurisdictions that have expressly adopted it — and Versailles and Woodford County have not done so. That means renters in Versailles rely on common law principles, the terms of their individual lease agreements, and any applicable local housing codes rather than the full set of URLTA protections. This distinction is critically important when evaluating your rights around security deposits, habitability, and notice.
This article provides a factual overview of how Kentucky law applies to Versailles renters. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — renters with specific concerns should consult a licensed attorney or a local legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Versailles, Kentucky — or anywhere else in the state. Kentucky has no statewide rent control statute, and state law does not authorize local governments to enact rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. As a practical matter, this means a landlord in Versailles may raise rent by any amount, at any time, provided proper notice is given before the start of a new rental period or lease term.
Because Versailles has not adopted the URLTA, there is no locally enacted framework governing the frequency or amount of rent increases beyond what is written into a tenant's individual lease. If your lease is month-to-month, your landlord may change the rent terms with reasonable notice — typically the period of the tenancy under common law principles. If your lease is for a fixed term, the rent cannot be changed until the lease expires unless the lease expressly permits mid-term increases.
Renters considering signing a new lease or renewing should carefully review any rent escalation clauses, since Kentucky law imposes no cap on how much rent can increase between lease terms.
Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRS §§ 383.505–383.715) provides a comprehensive set of tenant protections — but only in jurisdictions that have formally adopted it. Versailles and Woodford County have not adopted the URLTA. That said, several baseline protections apply to all Kentucky renters regardless of URLTA status.
Habitability (Common Law & URLTA): In URLTA jurisdictions, landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, make necessary repairs, and comply with applicable housing codes (KRS § 383.595). In non-URLTA areas like Versailles, habitability obligations are primarily governed by the lease agreement and any applicable local housing or building codes. Renters should document conditions and communicate repair requests in writing.
Security Deposits (KRS § 383.580): Where the URLTA applies, landlords must return security deposits within 30 days of the tenant vacating, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding can result in double damages plus reasonable attorney fees. Because Versailles has not adopted the URLTA, these statutory timelines may not apply by right — but lease provisions may contractually create similar obligations.
Notice to Terminate (KRS § 383.695): Under the URLTA, landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. In non-URLTA areas, Kentucky common law typically requires notice equal to the rental period (i.e., one month's notice for a month-to-month lease). Written notice is strongly advisable to avoid disputes.
Anti-Retaliation (KRS § 383.705): In URLTA jurisdictions, it is unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations or exercising legal rights by raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction. Even outside the URLTA, retaliatory conduct may be challenged under general contract and tort principles.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Regardless of URLTA status, Kentucky law prohibits self-help eviction statewide. A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, or deliberately interrupting essential utilities. Such actions are unlawful, and a tenant subjected to a lockout may seek emergency relief from a court.
Kentucky's security deposit rules under the URLTA are found at KRS § 383.580. However, because Versailles has not adopted the URLTA, those statutory protections do not automatically apply to Versailles renters by operation of law. Instead, security deposit obligations in Versailles are primarily governed by the terms of your individual lease agreement and Kentucky common law.
Return Deadline: Under the URLTA (applicable in Louisville, Lexington, and other adopting cities), landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear (KRS § 383.580(2)). Versailles landlords are not statutorily bound to this 30-day rule, but lease agreements frequently incorporate similar timelines, making it essential to review your lease carefully.
No Statutory Cap: Kentucky law does not cap the dollar amount a landlord may require as a security deposit.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: In URLTA cities, a landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit faces liability for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney fees (KRS § 383.580(6)). In non-URLTA areas like Versailles, a tenant may still pursue a civil claim for breach of contract or unjust enrichment if the landlord improperly retains the deposit without a basis in the lease.
Tenants in Versailles should document the unit's condition with dated photographs at move-in and move-out, retain all written communications with their landlord about the deposit, and request a move-out inspection in writing.
Even though Versailles has not adopted the URLTA, Kentucky courts require landlords to follow a legal process before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing the locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is unlawful in Kentucky regardless of URLTA status.
Step 1 — Notice to Vacate: For nonpayment of rent in URLTA jurisdictions, landlords must provide a written 7-day notice to pay or vacate (KRS § 383.660). For lease violations, a 15-day notice to remedy or vacate applies (KRS § 383.660(2)). In non-URLTA areas like Versailles, common law and lease terms govern notice requirements; many leases specify a notice period. For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord seeking to end the tenancy without cause must give at least 30 days' notice under the URLTA — and generally at least one full rental period's notice under common law.
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file a forcible detainer (eviction) action in Woodford District Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and scheduled for a hearing, typically 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 improper notice, retaliation, or uninhabitable conditions. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant still has not vacated after a judgment, the landlord may obtain a writ of possession, authorizing a sheriff or constable to physically remove the tenant. Only law enforcement may carry out the removal — not the landlord directly.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who locks out a tenant, removes their belongings, or deliberately cuts off utilities without a court order is subject to civil liability. Tenants facing illegal lockouts should contact law enforcement and seek emergency legal assistance immediately.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided reflects publicly available sources and general legal principles as of April 2026, but laws and local ordinances can change. The application of Kentucky landlord-tenant law to your specific situation depends on your lease terms, the local adoption status of the URLTA, and facts unique to your case. Renters with specific concerns should consult a licensed Kentucky attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe does not provide legal representation or advice.
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