Demand Letter Lab

Kentucky Small Claims for a Security Deposit: Where to File, What It Costs, Does It Fit

In Kentucky, a security deposit claim is heard by the court named in the facts table; the court for your county is listed below. The comparable deposit claim limit is $2,500. No comparable fee amount in our county data; see the official fee schedule. Pick your county, calculate your deadline, then send a dated letter.

State law last checked .

Filing facts

CourtDistrict Court (small claims division); damage-listing disputes also in District Court under § 383.580(5) · Court source
Listed limits and jurisdictions$2,500 (District Court small claims division (statewide) only)
Comparable deposit claim limit$2,500
Time limit to sue, from state data5 years; check when the claim accrued before counting from it.
Listed county filing feesNo comparable fee amount in our county data; see the official fee schedule.
E-filing0 yes, 0 no, 125 unverified among 125 listed counties
State deposit return deadline
  • No fixed statutory deadline (landlord shall send notification of any refund due when tenant leaves not owing rent); landlord shall send notification of any refund due when tenant leaves not owing rent. Applies when: no fixed statutory number of days after move-out to return the deposit; statute requires notification of refund amount but does not set a calendar return deadline.
  • 30 calendar days after the tenant leaves without paying the final month of rent and does not demand return of the deposit. Applies when: landlord may then remove deposit from account and apply excess to the debt owing (application-to-debt rule, not a return deadline).
  • 60 calendar days after landlord sends notification of refund amount due. Applies when: if tenant does not respond, landlord may remove and retain deposit free of tenant claims (unclaimed funds rule).
Deposit statuteKy. Rev. Stat. § 383.580

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Which county is the rental in?

Does your claim fit the limit?

Enter the amount you would ask the court to award.

The comparable claim limit ranks 1 among 45 jurisdictions with a comparable amount; median $10,000. Ties share a rank. Computed from state data, not measured.

From a letter to court

  1. Calculate the return date and send a letter using your own move-out date, deposit and state conditions.
  2. Keep the letter, delivery proof, lease, payment records and photos.
  3. Use your county guide and court's official instructions to check the filing location and fee.

Calculate your deadline and next letter

Your free letter

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Details of the return rules
Kentucky statutory deadlines
When it appliesDeadlineStarts 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.

Free Kentucky template, built from verified state data

Methodology: every statute verified against primary sources. See how verification works.

I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Kentucky law (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Compare the name on the lease and deposit receipt with the property record and the Kentucky Secretary of State. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant. Confirm the defendant with the court or legal aid.

What to bring to the clerk

  • Lease and deposit receipt or payment record.
  • Demand letter and proof of delivery.
  • Move-out photos, inventory and any itemized deductions.
  • Your calculation and the cited deposit statute.

What you can recover

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.

This is class P3, found in 5 of 51 jurisdictions. Computed from cited state records, not measured outcomes.

Statute says

No landlord shall be entitled to retain any portion of a security deposit if the security deposit was not deposited in a separate account as required by subsection (1) of this section and if the initial and final damage listings required by subsections (2) and (3) of this section are not provided.

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580

What this means

Tenant resources

FAQ

Which court handles a security deposit claim in Kentucky?

District Court (small claims division); damage-listing disputes also in District Court under § 383.580(5). Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

What is the deposit claim limit in Kentucky?

The comparable general deposit claim limit is $2,500. Check the court and claim type that applies.

What is the return deadline in Kentucky?

No fixed statutory deadline (landlord shall send notification of any refund due when tenant leaves not owing rent) or 30 calendar days (landlord may then remove deposit from account and apply excess to the debt owing (application-to-debt rule, not a return deadline)) or 60 calendar days (if tenant does not respond, landlord may remove and retain deposit free of tenant claims (unclaimed funds rule))

What's next?