Kentucky Security Deposit Demand Letter (KRS 383.580)
Moved out and still waiting on your deposit? A clear, written demand is usually the first step — and often the last one needed. Answer the questions below and your letter fills itself in as you type.
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[Your forwarding address]
October 15, 2026
[Landlord or property manager name]
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [Rental address]
Dear [Landlord or property manager name],
I was a tenant at [Rental address] and moved out on [Move-out date]. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of [Deposit amount ($)]. So far none of my deposit has been returned, and I have not received an itemized statement of deductions.
Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 383.580, a landlord must inspect the premises at the end of the tenancy, give the tenant a signed list of any damage and its estimated repair cost, and notify the tenant of any refund due; a landlord who did not keep the deposit in a separate account and provide the required damage listings may not retain any of it. I am writing to request the return of my deposit.
Please send [Deposit amount ($)] to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.
If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 29, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for the return of any part of the deposit the landlord was not entitled to keep.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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How security deposits work in Kentucky
Kentucky's deposit statute is part of the state's version of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which applies only in cities and counties that have adopted it. The statute sets no fixed number of days for returning a deposit. Instead, at move-out the landlord must inspect the unit and list any damage that is the basis for a deduction, with the estimated cost of repair.
The tenant has the right to inspect the unit and check that list. Both sides sign it, and if you disagree with any item you must state in writing which items you dispute and sign that statement. This matters: a tenant who neither signs nor specifically dissents can lose the right to recover. If a refund is due, the landlord must notify the tenant at their last known address.
If the tenant doesn't respond within 60 days of that notice, the landlord may keep the money, so answer promptly. A landlord who didn't keep the deposit in a separate account and didn't provide the move-in and move-out damage lists may not keep any of the deposit. A tenant who disputes the final list can sue in District Court, and Kentucky small claims court hears claims up to $2,500.
What to do, step by step
Fill in your details
Answer the questions above. Your letter updates live as you type, so you can check every detail before you send it.
Send it in a way you can prove
Mail the letter by certified mail with return receipt and keep the receipt. If your lease lists an email address for notices, send a copy there too.
Wait for a reply
Give your landlord the 14 days stated in the letter.
Gather your evidence
Collect your lease, move-in and move-out photos, any inspection checklist, rent receipts and every message about the deposit.
File in small claims if needed
If the deposit still doesn't come back, you can file in small claims court (Kentucky limit: $2,500). Bring this letter and your proof of mailing.
What if the landlord ignores the letter?
Silence doesn't end the matter. Your letter creates a dated record that you asked for the deposit back and gave a reasonable deadline — exactly what a small claims judge will want to see.
In Kentucky, the rules are set out in Kentucky Revised Statutes § 383.580. If a landlord keeps a deposit without following them, a court may award the return of any part of the deposit the landlord was not entitled to keep.
Small claims court is designed for people representing themselves: filing fees are modest, forms are short, and hearings are informal. In Kentucky the limit is $2,500, which covers nearly every deposit dispute.
Example Kentucky security deposit demand letter
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Jordan Rivera
88 Pine Ave, Springfield
October 5, 2026
Oakview Property Management
500 Market St, Suite 200, Springfield
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield
Dear Oakview Property Management,
I was a tenant at 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield and moved out on August 31, 2026. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of $1,800.00. So far you have returned $300.00, leaving $1,500.00 outstanding.
Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 383.580, a landlord must inspect the premises at the end of the tenancy, give the tenant a signed list of any damage and its estimated repair cost, and notify the tenant of any refund due; a landlord who did not keep the deposit in a separate account and provide the required damage listings may not retain any of it. I am writing to request the return of my deposit.
I returned all keys on August 31 and took dated photos of every room, which show the unit clean and undamaged apart from normal wear and tear.
Please send $1,500.00 to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.
If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 19, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for the return of any part of the deposit the landlord was not entitled to keep.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.
Sincerely,
Jordan Rivera
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Kentucky landlord have to return a deposit?
The statute doesn't set a fixed number of days. The landlord must inspect the unit at move-out, list any damage, and notify you of any refund due. You then have 60 days to respond to that notice, or the landlord may keep the money.
Does the Kentucky deposit law apply where I live?
It applies only in cities, counties and urban-county governments that have adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act in full. Elsewhere, these deposit rules don't apply and your lease terms matter most, so check with your local government whether it has adopted the Act.
What if I disagree with my Kentucky landlord's damage list?
State in writing exactly which items you dispute and sign that statement. A tenant who neither signs the list nor specifically dissents can lose the right to recover, and any court claim is limited to the items you disputed.
Can I sue for my deposit in Kentucky small claims court?
Yes. Kentucky small claims court, a division of district court, hears claims up to $2,500, not counting interest and court costs. Bring your lease, the damage lists, photos and a copy of this letter.
Do I have to send a demand letter before going to small claims?
Many courts expect you to have asked for the money first, and a written demand is the simplest proof that you did. It also resolves a large share of disputes on its own.
How should I send the letter?
Use a method that gives you proof of delivery, such as certified mail with return receipt. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt together.
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