Lexington Landlord-Tenant Rules
Lexington adds local rules on top of Kentucky landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Source of income (preempted) | In February 2024 the Urban County Council passed an ordinance barring landlords from rejecting applicants because they pay rent with housing vouchers or other lawful income. Since March 6, 2024, state law forbids any Kentucky city, county or urban-county government from adopting or enforcing a rule that stops landlords from refusing tenants whose rent includes federal housing assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers. Landlords in Lexington may therefore lawfully decline voucher holders. Kentucky law also bars local rent control. The February 2024 Council vote is from news reports; whether the ordinance was formally repealed was not confirmed. |
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| Local fair housing protected classes | The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission investigates housing discrimination in Lexington based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status (a child under 18 in the household), sexual orientation or gender identity, and retaliation. Sexual orientation and gender identity are protected locally (LFUCG Code § 2-33). File in person, online, by mail or by phone: 162 E. Main St., Suite 226; (859) 252-4931. Strict filing deadlines apply. The filing deadline is not stated on the page. |
| Rental registration/inspection | No long-term rental registration or proactive rental inspection program was found. Code Enforcement inspects on complaint. Short-term rentals have a separate registration process. Source: Official source |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Code Enforcement (Division of Code Enforcement, Housing Advocacy and Community Development) enforces LFUCG Code Chapter 12 (housing and nuisance) and the International Property Maintenance Code. Report problems through LexCall, (859) 425-2255 or 311 within Lexington, or online. Office: 101 E. Vine St., Suite 500; code_enforcement@lexingtonky.gov. Safety issues are handled first. The City's Housing Advocate, (859) 280-8425, helps residents with code enforcement questions, what to expect in an eviction, and finding landlords who accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Housing Advocate: https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/departments-programs/housing-advocacy-community-development/housing-advocate |
| Rental assistance & legal aid | Lexington's Housing Stabilization Program (run with Community Action Council using federal Emergency Rental Assistance) has ended; its funds ran out at the end of November 2023. Tenants with an eviction case can seek help from Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, which offers advice, negotiation with landlords and court representation, including a volunteer attorney eviction panel: 859-431-8200 or apply online. If your court date is three business days away or less, call to be screened. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass housing services: https://lablaw.org/housing. News reports describe $1.9 million in City funds for tenant legal help in 2023; whether that funding continues was not confirmed. Source: Official source |
Eviction cases in Lexington are heard in: Fayette District Court, Forcible Detainer Division, Robert F. Stephens District Courthouse, 150 N. Limestone, Suite D-112; 859-246-4150
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
No. No right-to-counsel program for tenants was found. Official source
Local agencies
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission — Investigates housing discrimination complaints, including sexual orientation and gender identity. (859) 252-4931.
- LFUCG Division of Code Enforcement — Investigates housing and property maintenance complaints. LexCall (859) 425-2255 or 311.
- LFUCG Housing Advocate — Helps residents with housing problems, eviction questions and voucher-friendly landlords. (859) 280-8425.
- Legal Aid of the Bluegrass — Free eviction advice and representation for eligible tenants. 859-431-8200.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Lexington add on top of Kentucky law?
Source of income (preempted): In February 2024 the Urban County Council passed an ordinance barring landlords from rejecting applicants because they pay rent with housing vouchers or other lawful income. Since March 6, 2024, state law forbids any Kentucky city, county or urban-county government from adopting or enforcing a rule that stops landlords from refusing tenants whose rent includes federal housing assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers. Landlords in Lexington may therefore lawfully decline voucher holders. Kentucky law also bars local rent control.; Local fair housing protected classes: The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission investigates housing discrimination in Lexington based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status (a child under 18 in the household), sexual orientation or gender identity, and retaliation. Sexual orientation and gender identity are protected locally (LFUCG Code § 2-33). File in person, online, by mail or by phone: 162 E. Main St., Suite 226; (859) 252-4931. Strict filing deadlines apply.; Rental registration/inspection: No long-term rental registration or proactive rental inspection program was found. Code Enforcement inspects on complaint. Short-term rentals have a separate registration process.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Code Enforcement (Division of Code Enforcement, Housing Advocacy and Community Development) enforces LFUCG Code Chapter 12 (housing and nuisance) and the International Property Maintenance Code. Report problems through LexCall, (859) 425-2255 or 311 within Lexington, or online. Office: 101 E. Vine St., Suite 500; code_enforcement@lexingtonky.gov. Safety issues are handled first. The City's Housing Advocate, (859) 280-8425, helps residents with code enforcement questions, what to expect in an eviction, and finding landlords who accept Housing Choice Vouchers.
← All Kentucky landlord-tenant rules
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.