Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Bardwell, Arlington, Cunningham & Carlisle County
📍 County Seat: Bardwell 👥 Pop. 4,826 (2020) • 100% Rural ⚖️ Courthouse — 985 US Hwy 62, Bardwell 🌊 Mississippi River Western Border 🚂 Founded as a Railroad Town (1874) 🚫 Dry County • Paducah MSA
Carlisle County is one of Kentucky’s newest and smallest counties, formed in 1886 — the 119th of Kentucky’s 120 counties — and named for John Griffin Carlisle, who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1883–1889) and later as Secretary of the Treasury under President Grover Cleveland. The county seat, Bardwell, was founded in 1874 as a railroad town when a predecessor line of the Illinois Central Railroad was extended to that point; the town’s original boundaries were a circle drawn with the train station at the center. When Carlisle County was created in 1886, Arlington was initially chosen as the county seat, but Bardwell’s more central location won out and the seat was moved there. Carlisle County covers 199 square miles in the Jackson Purchase region of far western Kentucky, borders Missouri along the Mississippi River to the west, and had a 2020 census population of 4,826 — making it the fourth-least populous county in Kentucky. The entire county is classified as 100% rural. It remains a dry county.
The Carlisle County rental market is Kentucky’s most rural and smallest-scale: a very limited inventory of rental units in Bardwell and the surrounding communities of Arlington, Cunningham, Milburn, and Kirbyton. Agriculture — row crops, tobacco, and livestock — drives the economy, along with proximity to the Paducah, KY-IL MSA for commuter employment. The county’s largest employer is located in Cunningham. Mississippi River commerce and U.S. Route 51/62 corridor activity provide a small amount of economic activity. All evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Carlisle County Courthouse in Bardwell. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🏛️ Named for a Speaker of the House & Treasury Secretary — Carlisle County is named for John Griffin Carlisle of Kentucky, who served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1883 to 1889 and later as Secretary of the Treasury under President Grover Cleveland; it was one of the last Kentucky counties formed, organized in 1886 |
🚂 Bardwell — Born as a Railroad Circle — Bardwell was founded in 1874 when the Illinois Central Railroad extended to that point; its original city boundaries were a perfect circle drawn with the train station at the exact center — an unusual planning distinction; the town was formally incorporated in 1878 |
🌊 Mississippi River Western Boundary — Carlisle County’s entire western border is formed by the Mississippi River, separating Kentucky from Missouri; the river’s proximity and the US 51/62 crossroads at Bardwell placed the county at the junction of two significant historic travel routes |
🚫 Dry County — Statewide Prohibition Persists — Carlisle County remains one of Kentucky’s dry counties; no local option election has authorized alcohol sales countywide; landlords and short-term rental operators should be aware that the prohibition applies across all communities in the county
Cash, cashier’s check, money order ONLY • No personal checks • No credit/debit • ePay online
Rent Control
None — Kentucky preempts local rent control
Governing Law
KRS Chapter 383 / HB128 (2023) for leases on or after effective date
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure; termination no sooner than 30 days
Month-to-Month Term.
1 Month’s Written Notice
Week-to-Week Term.
5-Day Written Notice
Eviction Filing
Forcible Detainer — District Court
Eviction Timeline
3–6 weeks typical after notice period
Security Deposit Cap
2× monthly rent (plus 1st month’s rent & fees)
Deposit Return
30 days with itemized deductions
Deposit Penalty
$250 or 2× amount withheld, whichever greater
Habitability Duty
Nonwaivable (KRS 383.595 / HB128)
Statute
KRS Chapter 383 — HB128 (2023 Session)
Carlisle County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Carlisle County are filed in District Court at the Carlisle County Courthouse, 985 U.S. Highway 62 (P.O. Box 337), Bardwell, KY 42023. Circuit Court Clerk: Courtney Burge — Phone: (270) 628-5425 — Fax: (270) 628-5456. Payment: cash, cashier’s check, and money order only — no personal checks, no credit or debit cards accepted in person. ePay is available online. Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Bring cash or a cashier’s check when filing in person.
Nonpayment of Rent — Notice
Under HB128 (KRS 383.660), serve the tenant a 14-day written notice to pay or vacate stating the specific termination date. Retain dated, verifiable proof of service. If the tenant pays in full within 14 days, the lease continues. This doubled the prior 7-day requirement.
Lease Violation — Notice & Cure
For non-rent violations, serve a 14-day written notice to cure or quit specifying the exact breach. If remedied within 14 days, the lease continues. If not, the lease terminates on a date no sooner than 30 days from original notice. Repeat violations within 6 months, imminent health/safety threats, or criminal acts may allow faster termination — consult a Kentucky attorney.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (KRS 383.695). Week-to-week: at least 5 days’ written notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent (not including first month’s rent or fees). Must be held in a dedicated, separately titled bank account. Return within 30 days with itemized written deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater, plus the amount owed. In a very low-rent rural market, the $250 minimum applies even when the withheld deposit amount is small.
Habitability — Nonwaivable Duty
HB128 imposes a nonwaivable habitability duty across 13 categories: building code compliance, weatherproofing, plumbing, water supply, heating and ventilation, electrical systems, pest and hazardous substance control (radon, lead, asbestos, mold), clean common areas, trash receptacles, floors/walls/windows in good repair, landlord-supplied appliances, exterior door and window locks, and required safety equipment. No lease provision waives this. Rural rental stock in Carlisle County includes older housing that may require attention to weatherproofing, heating adequacy, and plumbing.
Landlord Entry — Notice
Standard entry: 24 hours’ advance notice, reasonable time. Routine maintenance or pest control: 72 hours’ notice or a fixed schedule provided at least 72 hours before the first entry. Emergency: reasonable notice. Leave conspicuous written notice of entry if tenant is absent.
Agricultural Workforce
Row crops (corn, soybeans, wheat) and tobacco farming are the primary private-sector economic activities in Carlisle County. For self-employed farmers or seasonal agricultural workers, request two full years of tax returns and bank statements; calculate an annualized monthly income average and apply your income ratio to that figure. Apply screening criteria consistently to all applicants.
Paducah Commuter Market
U.S. Route 62 connects Bardwell to Paducah approximately 30 miles northeast. Some Carlisle County residents commute to Paducah’s healthcare, manufacturing, and government employment sectors. For commuters, verify Paducah-area employment with standard pay stubs and employer contact information. Apply your income ratio consistently.
Dry County
Carlisle County remains a dry county; no local option election has authorized alcohol sales in any part of the county. This does not affect landlord-tenant law obligations but is relevant context for property marketing and short-term rental operations.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control. Landlords may raise rent freely at lease renewal.
Self-Help Eviction
Expressly prohibited (KRS 383.690). Lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of tenant belongings expose the landlord to 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever is greater. File a Forcible Detainer at the Carlisle County Courthouse.
Kentucky URLTA applies ONLY in specific adopting counties (including Jefferson/Louisville, Fayette/Lexington, and ~20 others). Non-URLTA counties use common law forcible detainer (KRS §383.200-383.285), which may have different procedures. The 7-day nonpayment notice under §383.660(2) requires payment of the FULL amount owed - accepting partial payment may restart the notice period. Tenant can cure by paying within the 7-day period. If the same nonpayment recurs within 6 months, landlord can issue 14-day unconditional quit. Late fees: no statutory cap, but Hemlane and others report 10% industry standard. Security deposit max: 1 month per KRS §383.580(1).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Kentucky eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Kentucky attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Carlisle County market: Courthouse 985 US Hwy 62, Bardwell. Clerk Courtney Burge, (270) 628-5425. Cash or cashier’s check only at clerk’s office — no personal checks, no cards. Dry county. Agricultural income: use tax returns. Paducah commuters: verify employment standard. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
A Railroad Circle on the Mississippi: Carlisle County Kentucky Landlord Law
Carlisle County was the second-to-last county formed in Kentucky, organized in 1886 when the state still had room on the map for one more new jurisdiction in the far western Jackson Purchase. It was named for John Griffin Carlisle — a Covington, Kentucky congressman who had just finished his third term as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and would go on to serve as Secretary of the Treasury under President Grover Cleveland. The county seat, Bardwell, was born a decade earlier as a railroad town: in 1874, a predecessor line of the Illinois Central Railroad extended to that point, and the town’s founders drew its original boundaries as a perfect circle with the train station at the exact center. The Mississippi River forms the county’s entire western border. With 4,826 people across 199 square miles — 100% rural, one of the four least-populous counties in Kentucky — Carlisle County’s rental market is the smallest in the state. For landlords operating here, the legal framework is HB128 and the courthouse is on U.S. Route 62 in Bardwell.
Filing at the Courthouse: Cash Only
Evictions in Carlisle County are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Carlisle County Courthouse, 985 U.S. Highway 62 (P.O. Box 337), Bardwell, KY 42023. Circuit Court Clerk Courtney Burge handles filings at (270) 628-5425 — fax (270) 628-5456. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Payment at the clerk’s office is accepted by cash, cashier’s check, and money order only — personal checks and credit or debit cards are not accepted in person. ePay is available online if you prefer electronic payment. Plan accordingly before making the trip to Bardwell: bring cash or a cashier’s check.
Your 14-day nonpayment notice must fully expire before you file. Serve it properly, retain dated proof of delivery, and file only after the full 14 days have elapsed. For lease violations, both the 14-day cure period and the 30-day minimum termination date must run before a Forcible Detainer may be filed.
HB128 in Kentucky’s Most Rural Market
Carlisle County’s rental inventory is tiny — fewer than 500 renter-occupied households by census estimates — and almost entirely concentrated in Bardwell and Cunningham. The workforce is predominantly agricultural (row crops, tobacco, livestock), with some manufacturing in Cunningham and a commuter segment using U.S. Route 62 to reach Paducah, about 30 miles northeast. For agricultural applicants with seasonal income, request two years of tax returns and bank statements; calculate an annualized monthly average and apply your income ratio to that figure. For Paducah commuters, standard pay stub verification applies. Apply screening criteria consistently to all applicants.
HB128’s nonwaivable habitability duty applies to every residential lease in Carlisle County without exception. In a rural market with older housing stock — some properties dating to the early 20th century — weatherproofing, heating adequacy, plumbing reliability, and pest control are the habitability categories most likely to require attention. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services). Return security deposits within 30 days of move-out with an itemized deduction statement. The $250 or 2× withheld penalty has a $250 floor — it applies even when the withheld amount is small, as it often is in a very low-rent rural market. Comply with the 30-day deadline as a hard rule.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. HB128 applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior Kentucky law governs older leases. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (HB128) applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior law governs older leases. Apply all Fair Housing protections consistently. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
