Covington, Kentucky Security Deposit: Which Rule Applies and Your Next Step
Covington adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; neither its code nor Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580 sets a fixed number of days to return a deposit. No landlord is entitled to retain any portion of a security deposit if it was not deposited in a separate account and if the initial and final damage listings were not provided.
State law vs Covington ordinance
| Rule | Kentucky state law | Covington ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Return deadline | No fixed return deadline | No separate return deadline in the ordinance text reviewed here |
| Penalty | landlord not entitled to retain any portion of the deposit if deposit was not held in the required separate account and initial and final damage listings were not provided. Bad faith required: No. | No landlord is entitled to retain any portion of a security deposit if it was not deposited in a separate account and if the initial and final damage listings were not provided. (Covington Code § 153.28 (URLTA / KRS 383.580(4))) |
| Itemization | Required | Move-in and move-out comprehensive damage listings with estimated repair costs; tenant may inspect and must sign or specifically dissent in writing. (Covington Code § 153.28 (URLTA / KRS 383.580(2)-(3))) |
| Who it covers | See state statute and conditions above | Residential rentals in Covington covered by Chapter 153 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580 · Covington Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, security deposits
Your date and your letter
The date below follows Kentucky law. Compare the ordinance's coverage and trigger separately before you send.
Calculate your deadline and next letter
Your free letter
Get a DOCX letter with the dates and amount you entered.
Already sent a letter? Tell us if it worked
Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|
Kentucky return rule: No fixed statutory deadline (landlord shall send notification of any refund due when tenant leaves not owing rent). Check the dates you entered above.
What URLTA adoption means here
You can quote this in your letter: No landlord is entitled to retain any portion of a security deposit if it was not deposited in a separate account and if the initial and final damage listings were not provided. (Covington Code § 153.28 (URLTA / KRS 383.580(4)))
Move-in and move-out comprehensive damage listings with estimated repair costs; tenant may inspect and must sign or specifically dissent in writing. (Covington Code § 153.28 (URLTA / KRS 383.580(2)-(3)))
Next step: send the letter asking for your deposit back by a date you set; the letter below cites KRS 383.580 and the city's adoption of URLTA.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenton | Kenton County District Court, Covington | $2,500 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See the Kenton county filing page
Statute says
All landlords of residential property requiring security deposits prior to occupancy shall be required to deposit all tenants' security deposits in an account used only for that purpose, in any bank or other lending institution subject to regulation by the Commonwealth of Kentucky or any agency of the United States government. Prospective tenants shall be informed of the location of the separate account and the account number.
What this means
Covington Code Chapter 153 adopts URLTA. Section 153.28 is the city's security-deposit section. Because KRS 383.500 requires adoption without amendment, the operative rules are the separate-account, dual damage-list, and forfeiture provisions of URLTA. No city cap or interest.
Source accessed: .
FAQ
Does Covington set a separate deposit return deadline?
The ordinance text reviewed here sets no separate return deadline. See the Kentucky deadline and its conditions above.
What else does the Covington ordinance require?
Covington Code Chapter 153 adopts URLTA. Section 153.28 is the city's security-deposit section. Because KRS 383.500 requires adoption without amendment, the operative rules are the separate-account, dual damage-list, and forfeiture provisions of URLTA. No city cap or interest.
Does the ordinance cover my rental?
Residential rentals in Covington covered by Chapter 153 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
What's next?
Previous page summary
Covington Code Chapter 153 adopts URLTA. Section 153.28 is the city's security-deposit section. Because KRS 383.500 requires adoption without amendment, the operative rules are the separate-account, dual damage-list, and forfeiture provisions of URLTA. No city cap or interest.