Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Liberty, Middleburg, Dunnville & Casey County
📍 County Seat: Liberty 👥 Pop. 15,941 (2020) • 100% Rural ⚖️ Judicial Center — 231 Courthouse Square, Liberty ✍️ Named for Mark Twain’s Great-Great-Grandfather 🍎 Casey County Apple Festival • World’s Largest Apple Pie 🚫 Dry County • Only KY County Entirely in the Knobs
Casey County was formed on November 14, 1806, from the western part of Lincoln County and named for Colonel William Casey (1754–1816), a Virginia-born Revolutionary War veteran and pioneer settler who brought his family to Kentucky in 1779. Colonel Casey was the great-great-grandfather of Samuel Clemens — Mark Twain. The county seat, Liberty, was founded by Revolutionary War veterans on military land grants and named out of patriotic sentiment; it became the seat in 1808 owing to its central location in Casey County’s Green River valley. Casey County covers 444 square miles and had a 2020 census population of 15,941. It is the only Kentucky county located entirely within the Knobs region — the ring of steep, isolated hills surrounding the Bluegrass. The county is 100% rural. It remains a dry county.
Casey County holds the remarkable distinction of having the highest proportion of Midwest Beachy Amish adherents of any county in the United States (1.11% of the 2020 population). Mennonite and Amish families and businesses — producing handmade furniture, homegrown produce, and quilts — are a visible and economically significant part of the community. The annual Casey County Apple Festival, centered on the county’s position as a significant apple-producing area, features what is billed as the world’s largest apple pie. Agriculture, county government, healthcare, and small manufacturing are the primary employers. The rental market is small, rural, and oriented toward the Liberty trade area and US-127 corridor. All evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Casey County Judicial Center in Liberty. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
✍️ Named for Mark Twain’s Great-Great-Grandfather — Colonel William Casey, for whom Casey County is named, was the great-great-grandfather of Samuel Langhorne Clemens — Mark Twain — one of America’s greatest authors; Casey was a Virginia-born Revolutionary War veteran and Kentucky pioneer |
🍎 Casey County Apple Festival — World’s Largest Apple Pie — Casey County is a significant apple-producing area of Kentucky; the annual Casey County Apple Festival in Liberty features the world’s largest apple pie and celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage |
🪣 Highest Proportion of Midwest Beachy Amish in the U.S. — Casey County has the highest concentration of Midwest Beachy Amish adherents of any county in the United States (1.11% of the 2020 population); Amish and Mennonite families operate handmade furniture, produce, and quilt businesses throughout the county |
⛰️ Only Kentucky County Entirely in the Knobs — Casey County is the only county in Kentucky located entirely within the Knobs region — the distinctive ring of steep, isolated hills surrounding the Inner Bluegrass; the highest point is Green River Knob at 1,789 feet
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Liberty (~2,028 in 2020; founded by Rev. War veterans)
Other Communities
Middleburg, Dunnville, Hustonville, Yosemite, Gréasy Creek, Knifley
Population
15,941 (2020 census) • 100% rural
Region
The Knobs (only KY county entirely in this region) • Lake Cumberland Area Development District
Major Employers
Casey County Schools, county government, agriculture (apples, tobacco, livestock), Amish/Mennonite businesses, healthcare, small manufacturing, US-127 corridor commuters to Danville/Russell Springs
Alcohol Status
Dry county — no alcohol sales permitted anywhere in Casey County
Casey County Judicial Center, 231 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 147), Liberty, KY 42539
Fax & Access
Fax: (606) 787-2497 • Clerk on main floor • Elevator to 2nd floor • Parking lot next to building
Payment
Cash, personal check, certified check, money order • 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)
Casey County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Casey County are filed in District Court at the Casey County Judicial Center, 231 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 147), Liberty, KY 42539. Circuit Court Clerk: Craig L. Overstreet — Circuit: (606) 787-6510 • District: (606) 787-6761 • Fax: (606) 787-2497. Payment: cash, personal check, certified check, money order; ePay available online. Clerk’s office is on the main floor; elevator to the second floor. Parking lot is located next to the building. Verify current District Court civil hearing dates with the clerk’s office before filing.
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. The $250 floor applies even when the deposit amount is small, which is common in Casey County’s low-rent rural market.
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. In Casey County’s older rural housing stock, weatherproofing, heating adequacy, and moisture control are particularly important. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
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 if tenant is absent.
Amish & Mennonite Tenants — Fair Housing
Casey County has the highest proportion of Midwest Beachy Amish adherents in the United States. Amish and Mennonite tenants are entitled to the same screening and lease process as all applicants. Religion is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law — apply all income, credit, and rental criteria consistently regardless of religious affiliation, community membership, or lifestyle. Do not apply different standards based on an applicant’s religious background.
Agricultural & Self-Employed Workforce
Agriculture (apples, tobacco, livestock), Amish and Mennonite cottage businesses (furniture, produce, quilts), and small-scale manufacturing employ many Casey County residents. For self-employed farmers and small business owners, request two years of tax returns and bank statements; calculate an annualized monthly income average and apply your income ratio consistently. Apply criteria uniformly to all applicants regardless of occupation or business type.
US-127 Corridor — Danville & Russell Springs Commuters
U.S. Route 127 connects Liberty to Danville (26 miles north) and Russell Springs (21 miles south). Some Casey County residents commute to Danville for employment at Centre College, Ephraim McDowell Health, or manufacturing; others commute south to Lake Cumberland area employment. Verify income with standard pay stubs. Apply your income ratio consistently.
Dry County
Casey County remains a dry county; no local option election has authorized alcohol sales anywhere in the county. This does not affect landlord-tenant law obligations.
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 Casey County Judicial Center.
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.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Kentucky landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Kentucky —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Kentucky's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
Generate Kentucky-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Kentucky requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ 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.
Casey County market: Judicial Center, 231 Courthouse Square, Liberty. Clerk Craig L. Overstreet, District (606) 787-6761. Highest US proportion of Midwest Beachy Amish — apply Fair Housing criteria consistently. Agricultural/self-employed: use tax returns. US-127 commuters to Danville/Russell Springs: standard verification. Dry county. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Mark Twain’s Roots, Apple Pie, and HB128: Casey County Kentucky Landlord Law
Casey County, Kentucky was named for Colonel William Casey, a Virginia-born Revolutionary War veteran who brought his family to Kentucky in 1779 and settled along the Green River. Colonel Casey was the great-great-grandfather of Samuel Langhorne Clemens — Mark Twain. Casey County is the only county in Kentucky located entirely within the Knobs, the distinctive ring of steep, isolated hills surrounding the Inner Bluegrass, and its highest point — Green River Knob at 1,789 feet — rises above the surrounding landscape like a watchtower over the valleys below. It is home to the highest proportion of Midwest Beachy Amish adherents of any county in the United States, and its annual Casey County Apple Festival in Liberty features what is billed as the world’s largest apple pie. The county is 100% rural, dry, and has a 2020 population of 15,941. For landlords managing property here in 2026, the legal framework is HB128 and the courthouse is on Courthouse Square in Liberty.
Filing at the Judicial Center in Liberty
Evictions in Casey County are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Casey County Judicial Center, 231 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 147), Liberty, KY 42539. Circuit Court Clerk Craig L. Overstreet handles filings — Circuit: (606) 787-6510; District: (606) 787-6761; Fax: (606) 787-2497. Payment is accepted by cash, personal check, certified check, and money order; ePay is available online. The clerk’s office is on the main floor with an elevator to the second floor; a parking lot adjoins the building. Verify current District Court civil hearing dates with the clerk’s office before filing. Your 14-day nonpayment notice must fully expire before you file your complaint, and the 14-day cure / 30-day termination timeline applies for lease violations.
Amish, Mennonite, and Agricultural Tenants
Casey County’s Amish and Mennonite community is the largest-proportioned Midwest Beachy Amish population in the United States. These families and businesses — producing handmade furniture, quilts, baked goods, and homegrown produce — are part of the county’s economy and social fabric, and some community members rent residential properties. Religion is a federally protected class under Fair Housing law. Apply all income thresholds, credit standards, and rental criteria to every applicant consistently, regardless of religious affiliation, community membership, or lifestyle. Do not apply different deposit requirements, lease terms, or screening criteria based on an applicant’s religious background or church community. The same consistency applies to agricultural tenants — farmers, orchard workers, and small business owners with self-employment income should be evaluated using two years of tax returns and annualized monthly income calculations, the same standard you apply to every non-W-2 applicant.
HB128 in Casey County’s Low-Rent Rural Market
Casey County is one of Kentucky’s lower-rent rural markets — typical monthly rents in Liberty and the surrounding communities range from roughly $500 to $800. HB128’s nonwaivable habitability duty applies fully to every lease in this market, regardless of rent level. The 13-category habitability standard covers weatherproofing, plumbing, heating, electrical, pest control, and hazardous substances; in older rural housing stock, these categories often require proactive attention. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services). The security deposit penalty structure — $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater — has a $250 floor that is meaningful in a market where deposits may be only a few hundred dollars. Return deposits within 30 days with an itemized statement; there is no room for delay.
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. Religion is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law; apply all screening criteria consistently. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
