Kentucky Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
Kentucky rules on section 8, records & right to counsel for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No. There is no statewide protection, and since 2024 local governments may not adopt or enforce ordinances that bar landlords from refusing to rent to someone whose rent is paid in part with a federal housing assistance program (e.g., Section 8 vouchers). KRS 65.874 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 3, sec. 1, HB 18; emergency, veto overridden)
The rules in Kentucky
| Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | No. There is no statewide protection, and since 2024 local governments may not adopt or enforce ordinances that bar landlords from refusing to rent to someone whose rent is paid in part with a federal housing assistance program (e.g., Section 8 vouchers). This overrides the Louisville and Lexington source-of-income ordinances to the extent they cover federal housing assistance. KRS 65.874 took effect March 6, 2024. It reaches only rules about federal housing assistance; whether local protections for other income sources survive under KRS 383.198 (no local landlord-tenant ordinance in conflict with state law) is unsettled. |
|---|---|
| Right to a lawyer in eviction | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found in KRS Chapter 383. Source: KRS Chapter 383 (checked) |
Related questions
- Can a landlord refuse Section 8?
- Can an eviction be removed from your record?
- Do tenants get a free lawyer for an eviction?
Kentucky vs. neighboring states
| State | Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | Eviction record sealing | Right to a lawyer in eviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | No. There is no statewide protection, and since 2024 local governments may not adopt or enforce ordinances that bar landlords from refusing to rent to someone whose rent is paid in part with a federal housing assistance program (e.g., Section 8 vouchers). This overrides the Louisville and Lexington source-of-income ordinances to the extent they cover federal housing assistance. KRS 65.874 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 3, sec. 1, HB 18; emergency, veto overridden) | Not verified yet | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found in KRS Chapter 383. KRS Chapter 383 (checked) |
| Illinois | Yes. Since Jan. 1, 2023 the Illinois Human Rights Act bars refusing to rent, discriminatory terms, discriminatory ads or application forms, and screening criteria with a discriminatory effect based on 'source of income', defined as the lawful manner by which a person supports themselves and their dependents. 775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5); 775 ILCS 5/3-102 (P.A. 102-896, eff. 1-1-23) | Yes, by court order. The court may seal an eviction court file if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, sealing is clearly in the interests of justice, and those interests are not outweighed by the public's interest. Sealing is mandatory for cases against bona fide tenants after foreclosure (9-207.5 / 15-1701(h)(6)) and for cases dismissed because a minor was named as a defendant. Residential eviction files filed March 9, 2020 - March 31, 2022 (COVID period) were sealed, subject to unsealing in some cases not based on nonpayment. 735 ILCS 5/9-121; 735 ILCS 5/9-122; 735 ILCS 5/9-106(c) (P.A. 104-317, eff. 1-1-26) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found. The Illinois courts direct tenants to free legal aid and mediation for those who qualify (Eviction Help Illinois outside Cook County; Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt in Cook County). 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX (checked); Illinois Courts eviction self-help |
| Indiana | No. Indiana has no statewide source-of-income protection, and local units may not adopt or enforce an ordinance that requires (or has the effect of requiring) a landlord to participate in Section 8 or a similar housing program. IC 36-1-3-8.5 | Yes. Automatic: if the eviction case is dismissed (including for failure to prosecute), judgment is for the tenant, or a judgment against the tenant is overturned on appeal, the court must on its own motion order the records not disclosed and sealed/redacted. By tenant motion: if judgment was against the tenant and the money judgment has been satisfied, or no money judgment was entered and at least 7 years have passed, the court shall order nondisclosure (possibly without a hearing). Older cases (outcomes before July 1, 2022 or July 1, 2025) can be sealed by verified petition with the tenant's name, date of birth, address, case number, grounds, and a sworn statement that no money judgment is outstanding. IC 32-31-11-3, -4 (P.L.164-2022; amended P.L.128-2025) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found. The Residential Eviction Actions chapter covers dismissal, failure to prosecute, and voluntary eviction diversion programs, not appointed counsel. IC 32-31-10 (checked) |
| Missouri | No. Missouri has no statewide ban on refusing voucher holders. Since 28 Aug 2025, cities and counties (including charter governments) are also barred from enacting, keeping, or enforcing ordinances that stop landlords from refusing tenants whose rent is paid partly with federal or other housing assistance. Local ordinances protecting recipients of veterans' benefits remain allowed. RSMo 441.043.2(1), .4 (as amended by L. 2025 H.B. 595 & 343) | No statute found. No section of RSMo Chapters 441, 534 or 535 provides for sealing, masking, or expunging eviction court records. RSMo Ch. 441, 534, 535 (section lists reviewed) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases found. RSMo Ch. 441, 534, 535 (no counsel provision) |
| Ohio | No. Ohio's fair housing law (§ 4112.02(H)) protects race, color, religion, sex, military status, familial status, ancestry, disability, and national origin. It does not cover source of income or voucher use. Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.02(H) | No statute. Ohio Rev. Code chapter 1923 has no provision for sealing, masking, or expunging eviction court records. Ohio Rev. Code ch. 1923 (no sealing provision) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. Ohio Rev. Code ch. 1923 (no counsel provision) |
| Tennessee | No. The Tennessee Human Rights Act's housing provision covers race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin, but not source of income or vouchers. T.C.A. 4-21-601(a) | No statute. Tennessee has no law sealing or expunging eviction (detainer) records. A 2026 bill to make dismissed unlawful detainer cases confidential (HB1940/SB2016) failed in House subcommittee on March 18, 2026 and was not enacted. 2026 HB1940 / SB2016 (not enacted) | No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. T.C.A. Title 29, Chapter 18; Title 66, Chapters 7 and 28 |
| Virginia | Yes. The Virginia Fair Housing Law bars refusing to rent, discriminating in terms, discriminatory advertising, and misrepresenting availability because of 'source of funds'. Va. Code § 36-96.3(A) | Yes (expungement). For unlawful detainer cases with no order of possession, the general district court must automatically expunge records, without petition or hearing, once 30 days pass after dismissal or 6 months pass after a voluntary nonsuit. A tenant who won a judgment is not automatically covered but may petition, and the court must expunge without a hearing. For cases filed before July 1, 2024, the tenant may petition on a Supreme Court form for expungement of dismissed (30 days) or nonsuited (6 months) cases with no order of possession. Va. Code § 8.01-130.01 | Not verified yet |
| West Virginia | Not verified yet | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare section 8, records & right to counsel in all 50 states and DC →
Kentucky Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel FAQ
Is it illegal for a landlord to refuse Section 8 vouchers in Kentucky?
No. There is no statewide protection, and since 2024 local governments may not adopt or enforce ordinances that bar landlords from refusing to rent to someone whose rent is paid in part with a federal housing assistance program (e.g., Section 8 vouchers). This overrides the Louisville and Lexington source-of-income ordinances to the extent they cover federal housing assistance. (KRS 65.874 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 3, sec. 1, HB 18; emergency, veto overridden))
Do tenants have a right to a free lawyer in eviction cases in Kentucky?
No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found in KRS Chapter 383. (KRS Chapter 383 (checked))
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.