Most Commonly Used Lease Agreements
The most commonly used Kentucky rental lease agreements include a standard residential lease agreement, a month-to-month lease agreement, a lease to own agreement, a roommate agreement, a sublease agreement, and a commercial lease agreement.
Although all of the most commonly used Kansas lease agreements rely on the same elements, they also have their own features. For example:
- A roommate agreement is a type of residential lease agreement. It has most of the same clauses. However, it also explains which areas of the unit are for the sole use of the roommate and which areas are considered communal and available for use by all occupants.
- A standard residential lease agreement is generally for one year. When that year ends, it often switches to a month-to-month lease or it may automatically renew for another year. Yet, a one year lease could still be similar to a month-to-month lease. For example, both may require a 30-day written notice by either party who does not plan to renew the agreement at the end of the lease term.
How to Write a Kentucky Lease Agreement
Kentucky lease agreements must follow Kentucky landlord-tenant laws. If they don’t, they cannot be upheld in court. There are several other laws that must also be followed. You’ll learn more about those under the sections related to disclosures and security deposits.
Because a lease agreement is a contract, it is important that you understand the terms. You should either read it or have it reviewed by a lawyer before you sign it.
A Kentucky lease agreement needs to include the following information:
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Names of the Parties - This is the landlord's full name or the property management company's legal business name and the full legal name of the tenant(s).
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Property Address - This is the full physical address for the rental property, including the city, zip code, and, if applicable, the lot or unit number.
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Term Information - This is the type of lease agreement the parties agree to enter into. For example, a month-to-month lease or a fixed term. A fixed-term lease means that the parties agree that the tenant will hold possession of the space for a certain amount of time, usually for one year. If it is a fixed lease, this section should include the date that the lease will end. It may also state whether the lease will renew and how it will renew, such as for another year or as a month-to-month.
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Rental Amount - This includes the date that the lease will begin, the amount of the monthly rent, the day of the month that rent is due, and the address where the rent may be paid.
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Late Fee - This is the fee that is due if the rent is not paid by a certain date.
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Security Deposit - A security deposit is the amount of money that must be paid in advance of the tenant taking control of the rental unit. A security deposit is used to repair damages caused by the tenant.
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Initial Payment - This is the total amount of money that the tenant must pay to move into the rental unit. This area should include the amount of the first month's rent, the security deposit, and the total of the two numbers added together.
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Occupants - The full name of each tenant must be listed even if they are a minor or are not signing the lease for some reason. This part of a Kentucky residential lease agreement establishes who will reside in the residential unit. For commercial space leases, it designates those who have permission to use the space. If the presence of additional occupants changes the price of the rent, it should be included in this section.
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Utilities - This explains which utilities or services a tenant does not pay.
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Parking - This section explains to the tenant if they will receive a parking space. If a parking space is reserved and there is a designated spot, the spot should be listed in this section.
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Furnishings - This explains to the tenants what they are allowed to install (such as a washing machine or dishwasher) or what they may not install. If the tenant is not allowed to bring their own appliances, that should be designated in this section.
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Notices - This area lists the names of both the landlord or property manager and tenant along with their mailing address. This contact information is used if the parties need to send out a notice to the other party for some reason.
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Eviction - This section informs the tenant about how eviction proceedings would be carried out in the event of nonpayment or another breach of other lease terms.
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Additional Terms - This lists any other terms that the parties agreed to that haven't been included in any other section of the lease agreement.
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Signature and Date - The document should be signed and dated by all parties.
Which Disclosures Belong in a Kentucky Lease Agreement?
Under state law, Kentucky lease agreements must also include certain disclosures. The landlord must disclose the identities of individuals allowed onto the rental property if they are an agent or manager. The landlord must complete a walk-thru with the tenant to document any existing defects or need for repairs. The tenant may waive this, but to do so, they must sign a waiver. As mentioned in the section above, the landlord must disclose which bank the security deposit is held in along with the account number. Under state law, the landlord must give at least two days of notice to the tenant before entering the property for any non-emergency reason.
Under federal law, Kentucky landlords must provide lead-based paint disclosure if the property was constructed before 1978.
What You Need to Know About Kentucky Lease Agreements
There is no maximum for a security deposit under Kentucky law. However, the landlord must return the deposit within 60 days of the end of the lease. If the tenant doesn’t provide a forwarding address within that time period, the landlord is legally entitled to keep the money.
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