Pet Addendum in Kentucky

Adds pet terms to a lease. Assistance animals for people with disabilities are not pets: no pet fee or pet rent may be charged for them under federal fair housing rules.

What Kentucky law says

Pet deposits and fees	No statutory cap on security deposits, including pet deposits; any deposit required before occupancy is subject to the security-deposit rules where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies. A person using an assistance animal may not be charged a pet fee, pet deposit, or additional rent for that animal, but is responsible for physical damage it causes if residents with pets are responsible for pet damage. Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRS 383.505–383.715) applies only in cities and counties that have adopted it (KRS 383.500). Security-deposit rules: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35733 Source: KRS 383.580; KRS 383.085
Service & support animals (state law)	Kentucky's assistance-animal law (statewide) covers service animals and emotional support animals. Unless the disability or need is readily apparent, a housing provider may ask for reliable documentation, including from a provider with whom the person has a therapeutic relationship — a Kentucky-licensed clinical social worker, professional counselor, APRN, psychologist, or physician with an active in-state practice (or an out-of-state provider for people moving in with an ongoing relationship); providers whose primary service is selling accommodation letters do not qualify. The provider may independently verify documents. No pet fee, pet deposit, or extra rent may be charged, but the tenant is responsible for physical damage if pet owners would be, and must follow rules that apply to all residents. Landlords are not liable for injuries caused by a permitted assistance animal. Knowingly misrepresenting a disability or need, providing false documents, or fitting a pet with an assistance-animal vest for housing is a violation with a fine up to $1,000. Created in 2018 and amended in 2019 (2019 Ky. Acts ch. 145). Applies statewide, not only in URLTA areas. Source: KRS 383.085

Pet deposits and fees

No statutory cap on security deposits, including pet deposits; any deposit required before occupancy is subject to the security-deposit rules where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies. A person using an assistance animal may not be charged a pet fee, pet deposit, or additional rent for that animal, but is responsible for physical damage it causes if residents with pets are responsible for pet damage.

Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRS 383.505–383.715) applies only in cities and counties that have adopted it (KRS 383.500). Security-deposit rules: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35733

Source: KRS 383.580; KRS 383.085

Service & support animals (state law)

Kentucky's assistance-animal law (statewide) covers service animals and emotional support animals. Unless the disability or need is readily apparent, a housing provider may ask for reliable documentation, including from a provider with whom the person has a therapeutic relationship — a Kentucky-licensed clinical social worker, professional counselor, APRN, psychologist, or physician with an active in-state practice (or an out-of-state provider for people moving in with an ongoing relationship); providers whose primary service is selling accommodation letters do not qualify. The provider may independently verify documents. No pet fee, pet deposit, or extra rent may be charged, but the tenant is responsible for physical damage if pet owners would be, and must follow rules that apply to all residents. Landlords are not liable for injuries caused by a permitted assistance animal. Knowingly misrepresenting a disability or need, providing false documents, or fitting a pet with an assistance-animal vest for housing is a violation with a fine up to $1,000.

Created in 2018 and amended in 2019 (2019 Ky. Acts ch. 145). Applies statewide, not only in URLTA areas.

Source: KRS 383.085

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PET ADDENDUM to the lease for [rental address] dated [lease date]

Tenant: [tenant name] Pet(s): [type, breed, name, weight]

Pet deposit: $[pet deposit] (counts toward any state deposit limit where the law says so). Monthly pet rent: $[pet rent]

The tenant keeps the pet under control, cleans up after it, and pays for damage it causes beyond normal wear and tear.

Signatures and dates: [signatures]

Pet Addendum for other states · Kentucky tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.