Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Somerset, Nancy, Science Hill, Eubank & Pulaski County
📍 County Seat: Somerset (pop. ~11,352) 👥 County Pop. 64,979 (2020) • South-Central KY’s Largest County ⚖️ Court: Pulaski County Justice Center — 100 N. Main St., Somerset 🎣 Lake Cumberland • Houseboat Capital of the World 🏥 Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital • Growing Regional Hub 🏛️ Named for Count Casimir Pulaski • Father of American Cavalry
Pulaski County was established on December 10, 1798 from parts of Green and Lincoln counties and named for Count Casimir Pulaski, the Polish nobleman and military commander who came to America to fight in the Revolution, is credited with saving George Washington’s life at the Battle of Brandywine, and died at the Siege of Savannah in 1779 — one of only eight people ever awarded honorary American citizenship. The county seat, Somerset, was established in 1801 and has grown into the dominant commercial and healthcare city of south-central Kentucky. Pulaski County covers approximately 658 square miles and recorded a 2020 census population of 64,979 residents — by far the largest county in south-central Kentucky.
Pulaski County’s identity is bound up with Lake Cumberland, the reservoir created by Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River in 1952. Lake Cumberland is one of the largest reservoirs in the eastern United States and has been marketed for decades as the “Houseboat Capital of the World” for its extensive marina and houseboat rental industry. The lake supports a robust tourism and outdoor recreation economy around Somerset. On the healthcare side, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is one of the region’s major facilities and Pulaski County’s largest employer. Somerset Community College (part of KCTCS) adds education employment. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Pulaski County Justice Center, 100 N. Main Street, Somerset, KY 42501. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🎣 Lake Cumberland — Houseboat Capital of the World — Lake Cumberland, formed by Wolf Creek Dam (1952) on the Cumberland River, is one of the largest reservoirs in the eastern United States; Somerset’s marina industry earned it the “Houseboat Capital of the World” designation, and the lake drives a significant tourism and outdoor recreation economy throughout south-central Kentucky |
⚔️ Named for Count Casimir Pulaski — Father of American Cavalry — Casimir Pulaski was a Polish nobleman who trained the Continental Army’s cavalry, is credited with saving George Washington at Brandywine, and was mortally wounded at the Siege of Savannah in 1779; he is one of only eight people in American history to have been awarded honorary U.S. citizenship |
🏥 Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital — South-Central KY’s Largest — Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LifePoint Health) is one of the largest hospitals in south-central Kentucky, serving a multi-county catchment and employing hundreds of healthcare professionals as the county’s dominant private employer |
📈 Growing Regional Hub — South-Central Kentucky’s Commercial Center — Somerset is the dominant commercial city of south-central Kentucky, drawing shoppers, healthcare patients, and service-sector workers from a broad multi-county region; the county has grown steadily from about 57,000 in 2000 to nearly 65,000 in 2020
Nancy, Science Hill, Eubank, Burnside, Shopville, Ferguson, Langley
County Population
64,979 (2020) • South-central KY’s largest county
Region
South-Central KY • Lake Cumberland • Lake Cumberland ADD
Major Employers
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LifePoint), Pulaski County Schools, Somerset Community College (KCTCS), county/state government, tourism & hospitality, Lake Cumberland marina industry, manufacturing
Eviction Court
District Court — Pulaski County Justice Center
Court Address
100 N. Main St., Somerset, KY 42501
Court Phone
(606) 678-4761 (verify with clerk)
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 Location
Pulaski County Justice Center — 100 N. Main St., Somerset
Eviction Timeline
3–6 weeks typical (active regional hub docket)
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)
Pulaski County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Pulaski County are filed in District Court at the Pulaski County Justice Center, 100 N. Main Street, Somerset, KY 42501. Phone: (606) 678-4761. Somerset is south-central Kentucky’s dominant commercial city; the court handles an active docket. Parking is available near the justice center on Main Street. Verify current hearing dates and filing requirements 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.
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, termination no sooner than 30 days from original notice. Consult a Kentucky attorney for repeat violations or criminal acts.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice required (KRS 383.695). Week-to-week: 5 days’ written notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent. Held in a dedicated, separately titled bank account. Return within 30 days with itemized deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater. Document move-in and move-out condition thoroughly with signed checklist and photographs.
Habitability — Nonwaivable Duty
HB128 imposes a nonwaivable habitability duty across 13 categories: structural integrity, weatherproofing, plumbing, water, heating/ventilation, electrical, pest/hazardous substances (lead, mold, asbestos), common areas, trash, floors/walls/windows, appliances, locks, and safety equipment. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Landlord Entry — Notice
Standard entry: 24 hours’ advance notice. Routine maintenance: 72 hours’ notice. Emergency: reasonable notice. Leave written notice if tenant is absent.
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Tenant Segment
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH, LifePoint Health) is Pulaski County’s dominant employer and south-central Kentucky’s largest hospital, serving a multi-county catchment including Wayne, Russell, Adair, and Casey counties. LCRH employs hundreds of physicians, nurses, technologists, therapists, and administrative staff. Healthcare workers at LCRH are among Somerset’s most financially stable rental applicants. Verify with recent pay stubs from LifePoint/LCRH HR. As with Perry and Pike counties in this series, distinguish between permanent staff and travel/contract healthcare workers whose assignments typically run 13 weeks.
Somerset Community College Segment
Somerset Community College (SCC, KCTCS) employs faculty, staff, and administrators with stable Commonwealth of Kentucky employment. Verify with pay stubs or SCC HR employer letters. Some SCC students may seek off-campus housing; apply standard documentation with enrollment verification.
Lake Cumberland Lakefront & Marina Properties
Lake Cumberland’s extensive shoreline and marina infrastructure create a market for lakefront and lake-access residential properties that command premium rents in the Somerset area. These properties are subject to the same HB128 framework as any residential tenancy. Note: lakefront properties along Lake Cumberland (a federal reservoir managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) may have Army Corps easements on the land below the normal pool elevation; verify any Corps permit requirements before making improvements to lakefront portions of rental properties.
Tourism Employment & Seasonal Income
Lake Cumberland’s houseboat and marina industry, along with the broader outdoor recreation economy, supports significant tourism employment in Somerset and the county. Hospitality and marina workers may have seasonal income variability; review multiple months of pay history for seasonally employed applicants.
Lead Paint Disclosure
For any dwelling built before 1978, federal law requires written disclosure of known lead paint hazards and delivery of the EPA pamphlet before lease signing. Newer Somerset and lakeshore construction is generally exempt.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control.
Self-Help Eviction
Expressly prohibited (KRS 383.690). Penalty: 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever is greater. File a Forcible Detainer at the Pulaski County Justice 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.
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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.
Pulaski County market: South-central KY’s largest and most economically diverse county. LCRH healthcare workers are top-tier stable applicants. SCC education employment adds stability. Lake Cumberland lakefront properties command premium rents; Army Corps easements may apply below pool elevation. Tourism/marina employment is seasonal. Lead paint for older housing; newer lakeshore construction often exempt. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Lake Cumberland, Count Pulaski, and HB128: Pulaski County Kentucky Landlord Law
Casimir Pulaski came to America in 1777 with a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, a reputation as one of Europe’s most capable cavalry officers, and no particular reason to think his fate was bound up with a revolution on another continent. He organized the Continental Army’s cavalry nearly from scratch, trained what became an effective light horse force, and at the Battle of Brandywine charged into the pursuing British cavalry at a moment that allowed George Washington’s retreating forces to escape — a moment that, by some accounts, may have saved Washington’s life. He was mortally wounded at the Siege of Savannah in October 1779 and died aboard ship two days later. He is one of only eight people in American history who have been granted honorary United States citizenship by Congress. A Kentucky county named for him in 1798 carries a distinguished and genuinely international legacy.
Pulaski County covers 658 square miles of south-central Kentucky and recorded 64,979 residents in 2020 — by far the largest county in the region, with Somerset serving as the commercial and healthcare hub for a multi-county area. The county’s identity changed in 1952 when Wolf Creek Dam was completed on the Cumberland River and Lake Cumberland filled behind it. The lake is one of the largest reservoirs in the eastern United States by surface area, and the houseboat rental and marina industry that grew up around its 1,000-plus miles of shoreline gave Somerset its claim to the “Houseboat Capital of the World” designation.
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and the Healthcare Economy
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH), operated by LifePoint Health, is Pulaski County’s dominant employer and south-central Kentucky’s largest hospital. The facility serves a multi-county catchment extending into Wayne, Russell, Adair, Casey, and neighboring counties, employing hundreds of healthcare professionals at staffing levels that make Somerset a genuine healthcare city for the region. LCRH physicians, nurses, and specialists are among the county’s most financially stable rental applicants. Verify with recent LifePoint/LCRH pay stubs or HR letters. For travel healthcare workers assigned to LCRH, review contract duration and rate alongside pay stubs; 13-week contracts are standard in travel healthcare with common extensions but no guarantee of renewal.
The Lake and the Lakefront Premium
Lake Cumberland’s shoreline properties command premium rents relative to the county’s overall market, and landlords with lakefront or lake-access properties should note the Army Corps of Engineers easement context: Lake Cumberland is a federal reservoir, and the Corps holds a flowage easement on land up to the normal pool elevation (approximately 723 feet above sea level at full pool). Property improvements below that elevation typically require a Corps permit. This does not affect the lease agreement or HB128 compliance but may affect what improvements can be made to the property’s lakefront portions. Verify Corps easement boundaries before making improvements to lakefront rental properties.
Filing in Somerset and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Pulaski County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Pulaski County Justice Center, 100 N. Main Street, Somerset, KY 42501, phone (606) 678-4761. Somerset has accessible parking near the justice center. As south-central Kentucky’s regional hub, the court handles an active docket; verify current hearing dates before filing. HB128 compliance: written 14-day notice to pay or vacate; 14-day cure with 30-day minimum termination; one month’s written M-to-M notice; deposits at two times monthly rent in a separate account returned within 30 days with itemized deductions; $250 or 2x penalty; nonwaivable habitability; 24-hour entry notice; self-help eviction prohibited at three times periodic rent. Lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing. Pulaski came from Poland to organize a cavalry force that didn’t exist, with tools that weren’t yet in place, and made it work through discipline and precision. HB128 is already organized; it just needs to be followed with the same qualities.
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. Army Corps of Engineers easements on Lake Cumberland lakefront properties should be verified before improvements; consult appropriate authorities. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Kentucky’s HB128 applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior law governs older leases. Federal lead paint disclosure requirements apply to pre-1978 housing. Army Corps of Engineers easements on Lake Cumberland lakefront properties should be verified before improvements; consult the USACE Louisville District. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
