Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Bedford, Milton, Campbellsburg & Trimble County
📍 County Seat: Bedford (pop. ~628) 👥 County Pop. 8,516 (2020) ⚖️ Court: Trimble County Justice Center — 33 Market St., Bedford 🌊 Ohio River • Outer Bluegrass • NW Kentucky 🚗 Louisville Commuter Zone • I-71 Adjacent • Growing Exurb 🏛️ Named for Robert Trimble • Ohio River • Founded 1837
Trimble County was established on February 9, 1837 from parts of Henry, Oldham, and Gallatin counties and named for Robert Trimble, a Kentucky jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1826 until his death in 1828 — one of only two Kentuckians ever to serve on the Supreme Court. The county seat, Bedford, was established in 1838 and remains a small community of about 628 people. Trimble County covers approximately 151 square miles — one of Kentucky’s smallest counties by land area — along the Ohio River in northwestern Kentucky, and recorded a 2020 census population of 8,516 residents.
Trimble County occupies a narrow strip of northwestern Kentucky along the Ohio River between Carroll County to the west and Oldham County to the east. Its position along I-71 (the interstate passing through adjacent Oldham County and connecting Louisville to Cincinnati) and its proximity to Louisville (approximately 35–45 miles southwest) have made it an increasingly attractive outer Louisville exurb, particularly in its southeastern portion near the Oldham County line. The county has no significant industry of its own; its economy rests almost entirely on Louisville metro commuters, the school system, and agriculture. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Trimble County Justice Center, 33 Market Street, Bedford, KY 40006. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🏛️ Named for Justice Robert Trimble — Only the Second Kentuckian on the U.S. Supreme Court — Robert Trimble served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1826 until his death in 1828; he is one of only two Kentuckians ever appointed to the Supreme Court; he had previously served as a U.S. District Court judge for Kentucky and was known for his analytical rigor on the bench |
🌊 Ohio River Corridor — Milton & Riverside Character — Trimble County runs along the Ohio River, and communities like Milton on the river have a distinct Ohio River character; river flooding has historically affected low-lying Ohio River corridor properties, and FEMA flood zone verification is important for any riverside property |
🚗 Louisville Exurb — Growing Outer Ring Character — Trimble County’s position between Oldham County (one of Kentucky’s wealthiest, fastest-growing Louisville suburbs) and the Ohio River has exposed it to spillover residential growth from the Louisville metro as Oldham County housing costs have risen; the southeastern Trimble County area near the Oldham line is the most active growth zone |
⚡ E.W. Brown Generating Station — Major Electric Utility Employer — LG&E and KU’s E.W. Brown Generating Station in Mercer County draws some engineering and skilled trades workers from a broad region, but the more locally relevant utility presence is the existing industrial footprint along the Ohio River corridor
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Bedford (~628)
Other Communities
Milton, Campbellsburg, Sanders, Sulphur
County Population
8,516 (2020) • One of KY’s smaller counties by area (151 sq mi)
Region
NW Kentucky • Ohio River • Louisville MSA outer ring • KIPDA
Major Employers
Trimble County Schools, county government, agriculture, commuter employment in Louisville (~35–45 mi SW via US-42/I-71) & Oldham County (~5–15 mi SE)
Eviction Court
District Court — Trimble County Justice Center
Court Address
33 Market St., Bedford, KY 40006
Court Phone
(502) 255-3588 (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
Trimble County Justice Center — 33 Market St., Bedford
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)
Trimble County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Trimble County are filed in District Court at the Trimble County Justice Center, 33 Market Street, Bedford, KY 40006. Phone: (502) 255-3588. Bedford has a population of about 628; call ahead to verify hours, clerk availability, and hearing dates before making the trip. This is one of Kentucky’s smaller county justice centers.
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.
Lease Violation — Notice & Cure
Serve a 14-day written notice to cure or quit. If not remedied, termination no sooner than 30 days from original notice.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice. Week-to-week: 5 days’ written notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent. Separate account. Return within 30 days with itemized deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× withheld, whichever greater. Document condition at every tenancy.
Habitability — Nonwaivable
Nonwaivable duty across 13 categories. Respond within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Louisville (35–45 miles southwest via US-42 and I-71) is the dominant employment destination for Trimble County commuters, bringing the full Louisville metro employment base — UPS, Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, Ford, GE Appliances, professional services — within reach. Oldham County (5–15 miles southeast) is even closer and offers its own employment base as well as a connection to I-71 for a faster Louisville commute. Trimble County residents near the Oldham line have the shortest commutes and most diverse employment options. Verify all commuter employment with standard documentation.
Ohio River Flood Risk
Trimble County runs along the Ohio River, and communities like Milton sit directly on the river. The Ohio River is subject to seasonal and event-based flooding, and FEMA flood zones cover significant portions of the riverfront. Verify FEMA flood zone status for any property near the Ohio River corridor and disclose known flood risk in writing.
Lead Paint Disclosure
Required for any dwelling built before 1978. Most Bedford and county housing requires disclosure; newer Oldham-line residential construction may be exempt.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited (KRS 383.690). Penalty: 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever greater. File Forcible Detainer at Trimble 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.
🔍 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
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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.
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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.
Trimble County market: Small NW Kentucky exurb adjacent to Oldham County. Louisville commuters (~35-45 mi SW) dominate rental demand. Oldham County adjacency provides I-71 access. Ohio River flood risk for Milton and riverside properties — verify FEMA status. Lead paint for most housing. Call ahead before filing — Bedford has ~628 residents. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Justice Trimble, the Ohio River, and HB128: Trimble County Kentucky Landlord Law
Robert Trimble was appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1826 by President John Quincy Adams and served until his death in 1828 — just over two years on the bench. He is one of only two Kentuckians ever to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Before his appointment, Trimble had served as a U.S. District Court judge for Kentucky and had earned a reputation for analytical precision and careful reasoning. The county named for him in 1837 is one of Kentucky’s smallest by both land area and population — 151 square miles and 8,516 residents in 2020 — occupying a narrow Ohio River corridor between Carroll County and Oldham County in northwestern Kentucky.
Trimble County’s county seat of Bedford has a population of about 628, making it one of the smaller county seats in Kentucky. The county has no significant industry; its economy rests on the school system, county government, agriculture, and the Louisville metro commuter workforce. The Ohio River forms its northern boundary, and communities like Milton along the river give the county a distinct rivertown character alongside the more typical outer bluegrass agricultural landscape.
The Louisville Commute and the Oldham County Connection
Trimble County’s rental market is driven almost entirely by its position between Oldham County and the Ohio River. Oldham County — one of Kentucky’s wealthiest and fastest-growing Louisville suburbs — borders Trimble to the southeast, and I-71 runs through Oldham County providing fast access to Louisville. Trimble County residents in the southeastern portion of the county near the Oldham line have relatively short commutes to Louisville (35 to 40 minutes in normal conditions) and represent the county’s most active residential growth zone. Workers at Louisville’s major employers — UPS World Hub, Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, Ford, GE Appliances — who seek rural character and lower housing costs than Oldham County offers find Trimble County an accessible option. Verify Louisville employment with standard documentation and apply income ratio consistently.
Filing in Bedford and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Trimble County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Trimble County Justice Center, 33 Market Street, Bedford, KY 40006, phone (502) 255-3588. Bedford has about 628 residents; call ahead to confirm hours and hearing dates. 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 most Trimble County housing. Ohio River flood risk for Milton and riverside properties. Robert Trimble is remembered for analytical precision on a bench where he only had two years to demonstrate it. HB128 requires the same quality — applied correctly, once, at every tenancy.
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. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. HB128 applies to leases on or after its effective date; prior law governs older leases. Lead paint disclosure required for pre-1978 housing. Ohio River flood zone status should be verified through FEMA flood maps for riverside properties. Bedford Justice Center serves 8,516 county residents; call ahead to confirm hours. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
