Room Rental Occupancy Protection Act,
Room Rental Occupancy Protection Act,
The Issue
Kentucky’s current statutes treat room renters the same as full tenants, even when no written lease
exists. This outdated framework forces homeowners into lengthy eviction processes, exposes families
to unsafe living conditions, and allows individuals renting a single room to claim rights intended for
full residential tenants. These laws were not designed for modern room-rental arrangements and do not
adequately protect homeowners, children, or vulnerable occupants.
The Room Rental Occupancy Protection Act establishes a clear and fair legal structure that
distinguishes room renters from full tenants, ensures safety within owner-occupied homes, and prevents
misuse of tenant protections.
Key Provisions Include:
• Written lease requirement
• Creation of “Room Rental Occupant” status
• 7-day notice to vacate
• Immediate removal for violent or mentally harmful behavior
• Limited facility access
• Minimum bathroom access (toilet + sink only)
• Habitability exemption
• URLTA exemption
FINAL DRAFT BILL — KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AN ACT relating to
landlord-tenant law and establishing a separate category for room rental occupancy.
SECTION 1. Amends KRS 383.010 to define:
• Written Lease
• Room Rental Occupant
• Owner-Occupied Dwelling
• Tenant (excludes room occupants unless lease grants rights)
SECTION 2. Establishes that room occupants are licensees unless a written lease exists. Verbal
agreements cannot create tenant rights.
SECTION 3. Allows 7-day written notice to vacate. Failure to leave becomes criminal trespass.
SECTION 4. Room occupants have no automatic right to shared facilities unless granted by written
lease.
SECTION 5. Minimum bathroom access: toilet + sink. Shower/bath not required.
SECTION 6. Habitability exemption unless written lease grants rights.
SECTION 7. Immediate 24-hour removal for violent, threatening, mentally harmful, or child-harming
behavior. Law enforcement may assist.
SECTION 8. URLTA exemption for owner-occupied room rentals unless lease incorporates URLTA.
SECTION 9. Effective July 1, 2027
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The Issue
Kentucky’s current statutes treat room renters the same as full tenants, even when no written lease
exists. This outdated framework forces homeowners into lengthy eviction processes, exposes families
to unsafe living conditions, and allows individuals renting a single room to claim rights intended for
full residential tenants. These laws were not designed for modern room-rental arrangements and do not
adequately protect homeowners, children, or vulnerable occupants.
The Room Rental Occupancy Protection Act establishes a clear and fair legal structure that
distinguishes room renters from full tenants, ensures safety within owner-occupied homes, and prevents
misuse of tenant protections.
Key Provisions Include:
• Written lease requirement
• Creation of “Room Rental Occupant” status
• 7-day notice to vacate
• Immediate removal for violent or mentally harmful behavior
• Limited facility access
• Minimum bathroom access (toilet + sink only)
• Habitability exemption
• URLTA exemption
FINAL DRAFT BILL — KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AN ACT relating to
landlord-tenant law and establishing a separate category for room rental occupancy.
SECTION 1. Amends KRS 383.010 to define:
• Written Lease
• Room Rental Occupant
• Owner-Occupied Dwelling
• Tenant (excludes room occupants unless lease grants rights)
SECTION 2. Establishes that room occupants are licensees unless a written lease exists. Verbal
agreements cannot create tenant rights.
SECTION 3. Allows 7-day written notice to vacate. Failure to leave becomes criminal trespass.
SECTION 4. Room occupants have no automatic right to shared facilities unless granted by written
lease.
SECTION 5. Minimum bathroom access: toilet + sink. Shower/bath not required.
SECTION 6. Habitability exemption unless written lease grants rights.
SECTION 7. Immediate 24-hour removal for violent, threatening, mentally harmful, or child-harming
behavior. Law enforcement may assist.
SECTION 8. URLTA exemption for owner-occupied room rentals unless lease incorporates URLTA.
SECTION 9. Effective July 1, 2027
Petition Updates
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Petition created on September 13, 2026