HB 202 — AN ACT relating to rights and obligations of landlords and tenants to a residential lease.

Summary

Repeal and reenact various sections of KRS Chapter 383 to amend the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to conform; amend KRS 383.240 to conform; repeal KRS 383.300, 303.302, 383.500, 383.505, 383.515, 383.525, 383.540, 383.580, 383.620, and 383.665; apply to a lease made on or after the effective date of the Act.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill repeals and reenacts existing definitions and exclusions related to residential leases in Kentucky, significantly revising the definitions and terms applicable to landlords and tenants.

• KRS 383.545

  383.545 Definitions. Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent sections of KRS 383.505 to 383.715 which apply to specific sections or paragraphs thereof, and unless the context otherwise requires: → As used in Sections 1 to 61 of this Act:

  This change completely replaces the existing definitions section with new definitions applicable to the entire act.

• KRS 383.545

  (1) "Action" includes recoupment, counterclaim, set-off suit in equity, and any other proceeding in which rights are determined, including an action for possession. → (1) "Action" means an action for damages, possession, ejectment, quiet title, specific performance, or other judicial proceeding in which rights under a lease or Sections 1 to 61 of this Act are determined;

  The term 'Action' is redefined to encompass various legal proceedings related to leases.

• KRS 383.545

  (2) "Building and housing codes" include any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation concerning fitness for habitation, or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use, or appearance of any premises or dwelling unit. → (4) "Building, housing, fire, or health code" includes any law concerning fitness for habitation or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use, or appearance of the premises;

  The definition of 'Building and housing codes' is expanded to include fire and health codes.

• KRS 383.545

  (9) "Premises" means a dwelling unit and the structure of which it is a part and facilities and appurtenances therein and grounds, areas, and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally or whose use is promised to the tenant. → (24) "Premises": (a) Means a dwelling unit and, to the extent owned by the landlord, any structure of which the unit is a part; and (b) Includes any area and structure owned by the landlord which is associated with the structure in which the dwelling unit is located and held out by the landlord for the use of tenants generally;

  The definition of 'Premises' is clarified and expanded to detail ownership and tenant use.

• KRS 383.545

  (10) "Rent" means all payments except a security deposit as defined in this section to be made to the landlord under the rental agreement. → (27) "Rent": (a) Used as a noun, means a payment for the right to possession of a dwelling unit; and (b) Does not include a security deposit or fees;

  The definition of 'Rent' is clarified to differentiate it from security deposits and fees.

• KRS 383.545

  (13) "Security deposit" means an escrow payment made to the landlord under the rental agreement for the purpose of securing the landlord against financial loss due to damage to the premises occasioned by the tenant's occupancy other than ordinary wear and tear. → (29) "Security deposit": (a) Means funds provided to a landlord to secure payment or performance of a tenant’s obligations under a lease or Sections 1 to 61 of this Act and the identifiable proceeds of the funds, however denominated; and (b) Does not include rent or fees;

  The definition of 'Security deposit' is revised to include the purpose of securing obligations and specifies how it is treated.

• KRS 383.535

  The following arrangements are not governed by KRS 383.505 to 383.715: → (1) As used in this section:

  The entire section on exclusions is reshaped to clarify specific conditions and definitions.

• KRS 383.535

  (4) Transient occupancy in a hotel, or motel, or lodgings subject to state transient lodgings or room occupancy excise tax act. → (4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, Sections 1 to 61 of this Act apply to a lease of a dwelling unit

  The exclusion for transient occupancy is modified to clarify its applicability to the new act.

Action History

1. January 14, 2026

   to Judiciary (H)

2. January 07, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

3. January 07, 2026

   introduced in House

Sponsors

• Nima Kulkarni · Primary

Subjects