Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter

This Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter provides the required accounting and return of a residential security deposit in accordance with KRS § 383.580. It is designed for use after a tenancy terminates. The landlord must return the deposit (or provide a written itemized statement of any deductions plus the remaining balance) within 30 days after the tenant vacates the Premises and provides a forwarding address in writing. Failure to comply may result in the landlord forfeiting the right to retain any portion of the deposit.

Governing Law Note: Kentucky security deposit rules are set forth in KRS § 383.580. Deposits must be held in a separate account used only for security deposits. Landlords must provide the name and location of the depository to the tenant. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. The statute requires an itemized written statement. In URLTA jurisdictions (Louisville/Jefferson County and Lexington-Fayette), additional procedural protections may apply; verify local rules., -

Pre-Departure Inspection Offer

KENTUCKY PRE-DEPARTURE INSPECTION OFFER
KRS § 383.580

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Current or Last Known Address]]
[[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]

FROM (Landlord / Property Manager): [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Legal Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

RE: Pre-Departure Inspection Offer, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]]:

Your tenancy at the above Premises is scheduled to terminate on [[Lease Termination / Vacate Date]]. To minimize potential disputes regarding the condition of the Premises and any deductions from your security deposit of $[[Security Deposit Amount]], I offer you the opportunity to participate in a joint pre-departure inspection of the Premises prior to your final move-out.

If you wish to schedule this inspection, please contact me in writing no later than [[Inspection Deadline, e.g., three (3) days before vacate date]] to arrange a mutually convenient time. Whether or not you elect to participate, a formal accounting of your security deposit will be provided to your forwarding address within thirty (30) days after you vacate and supply a written forwarding address, as required by KRS § 383.580.

Sincerely,

___________________________________
[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Legal Name]]
[[Title]]
Date: [[Date Signed]], -

Security Deposit Return Letter, Full Return (No Deductions)

SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURN LETTER, FULL RETURN
Commonwealth of Kentucky
KRS § 383.580

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Forwarding Address]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Legal Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

RE: Return of Security Deposit, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]]:

Your tenancy at [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]], terminated on [[Move-Out / Possession Delivery Date]]. You delivered possession and provided your forwarding address on [[Forwarding Address Receipt Date]].

The security deposit was held in a separate account as required by KRS § 383.580 at:

Depository: [[Bank or Institution Name]]
Account Reference: [[Account Identifier, last 4 digits or as provided]]

After final inspection of the Premises (documented in the Move-Out Inspection Report attached or previously provided), no deductions are warranted. The Premises were returned in the condition documented on the initial damage list, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

Deposit Summary

Enclosed is a check payable to [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] in the amount of $[[Deposit Balance Returned]], representing the full return of your security deposit.

Check No.: [[Check Number]]
Check Date: [[Check Date]]
Payable To: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

This letter constitutes the landlord's complete itemized accounting and return of your security deposit as required by KRS § 383.580. The 30-day period for return began upon your provision of a forwarding address after vacating.

Thank you for your tenancy.

Sincerely,

___________________________________
[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Legal Name]]
[[Title]]
Date: [[Date Signed]], -

Security Deposit Return Letter, With Itemized Deductions

SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURN LETTER, ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF DEDUCTIONS
Commonwealth of Kentucky
KRS § 383.580

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Forwarding Address]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Legal Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

RE: Security Deposit Accounting and Return, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]]:

Your tenancy at [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]], terminated on [[Move-Out / Possession Delivery Date]]. You vacated the Premises and returned all keys on [[Key Return Date]]. You provided your forwarding address on [[Forwarding Address Receipt Date]].

Under KRS § 383.580, the landlord must return the security deposit or provide a written itemized statement of deductions together with any remaining balance within thirty (30) days after the tenant vacates and supplies a forwarding address in writing. This letter and the enclosed accounting fulfill that obligation.

The security deposit was held in a separate account used only for security deposits:

Depository: [[Bank or Institution Name]]
Account Reference Provided to Tenant: [[Reference]]

Section A, Deposit Summary

Section B, Permissible Deductions and Itemization

KRS § 383.580 permits deductions only for:

1. Unpaid rent owed through the date of termination.

2. Damage to the Premises beyond ordinary wear and tear.

Ordinary wear and tear includes minor scuffs, small nail holes from pictures, carpet indentations from normal furniture placement, and gradual fading. Deductions for ordinary wear and tear are prohibited. Charging for ordinary wear and tear may cause the landlord to forfeit the right to retain any portion of the deposit under KRS § 383.580.

All deductions are supported by the initial damage list (Exhibit A) and the final move-out inspection. Supporting receipts, invoices, or written estimates are provided for each deduction.

Deduction Line Items:

Section C, Supporting Documentation

Copies of the following receipts, invoices, or estimates supporting the deductions are enclosed. Photos from the initial condition checklist and the final inspection are available upon request and were used to determine that damage exceeded ordinary wear and tear.

Best Practice Note: Landlords should retain dated before-and-after photographs, the signed initial damage list, and contractor documentation for at least one year after the accounting is sent.

Section D, Balance Returned or Owed

If a balance is due to the tenant:

Enclosed is a check payable to [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] in the amount of $[[Deposit Balance Returned]].

Check No.: [[Check Number]]
Check Date: [[Check Date]]
Payable To: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

If deductions exceed the deposit (tenant owes balance):

The total itemized deductions of $[[Total Deductions]] exceed the deposit held of $[[Total Deposit Held]]. The entire deposit has been applied. An additional balance of $[[Balance Owed by Tenant]] remains due.

Please remit payment to the address below by [[Payment Due Date, e.g., thirty (30) days from letter date]]:

[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Legal Name]]
[[Payment Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Kentucky [[ZIP Code]]

Failure to pay may result in further action under the lease and KRS Chapter 383.

Section E, Forwarding Address and Statutory Compliance

Forwarding Address Used:
[[Tenant Full Forwarding Address]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

If this address is incorrect or if you have questions, contact the landlord immediately at the phone or email above. The thirty (30) day return clock under KRS § 383.580 commences when the tenant both (a) delivers possession of the Premises and (b) provides a valid forwarding address in writing.

Section F, Tenant Remedies for Non-Compliance

Under KRS § 383.580, if the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within the statutory period, or wrongfully withholds any portion, the tenant may recover the deposit (or wrongfully withheld amount) plus reasonable attorney fees. In addition, failure to comply with the itemization and timing requirements may cause the landlord to forfeit the right to make any deductions., -

Disclaimer: This is a template example for illustrative purposes. It is not professional legal, financial, or real estate advice. Statutes, local ordinances, and court interpretations change. Verify all requirements against current Kentucky law (KRS Chapter 383), any applicable local rules (including URLTA jurisdictions), and consult qualified counsel before use. Figures, procedures, and forms must be confirmed current as of the date of use.

Sources / As of: KRS § 383.580 (verified 2026); Kentucky Residential Lease examples and primary statute references.