Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Princeton, Fredonia, Dawson Springs & Caldwell County
📍 County Seat: Princeton 👥 Pop. 12,649 (2020) ⚖️ Courthouse Annex — 105 W. Court Square 🍪 Bremner — Largest Private Cookie Factory in N. America 🌪️ Trail of Tears Passed Through Princeton (1838) 🌿 UK Research & Education Center Since 1925
Caldwell County was formed in 1809 from Livingston County and named for John Caldwell, who served in the George Rogers Clark Indian Campaign of 1786 and became Kentucky’s second Lieutenant Governor. Its county seat, Princeton, was established in 1817 — renamed from Eddy Grove to honor William Prince, a Revolutionary War veteran who received a Virginia land grant and settled at Eddy Creek in 1799. Princeton incorporated in 1820. The area sits in western Kentucky’s Pennyrile region, covers 348 square miles, and had a 2020 census population of 12,649. In the winter of 1838, the Cherokee people were forced along the Trail of Tears through Caldwell County, camping for several weeks at Big Springs in what is now downtown Princeton — a passage that left a profound mark on the county’s recorded history. Confederate cavalry burned the Caldwell County courthouse in December 1864, destroying some records.
The Caldwell County rental market is anchored by Princeton’s manufacturing and agricultural base. The county’s largest single employer is Bremner (a TreeHouse Foods subsidiary), which operates the largest private cookie and cracker manufacturing facility in North America from Princeton. The University of Kentucky Research and Education Center (UKREC), established in Princeton in 1925, is a leader in horticultural and agricultural sciences. Agriculture — dark tobacco, grain, livestock — remains significant. December 2021’s EF4 tornado, one of the longest-tracked tornadoes in U.S. history, tore through Princeton’s southern neighborhoods, demolishing approximately 70 homes and altering the local housing stock. All evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex in Princeton. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🍪 Bremner — North America’s Largest Private Cookie Factory — The Bremner bakery in Princeton (a TreeHouse Foods subsidiary) is the largest private cookie and cracker manufacturing facility in North America, making Caldwell County one of the most significant baked goods production centers on the continent |
🌿 Trail of Tears Through Princeton (1838) — In the winter of 1838–39, Cherokee people forcibly relocated westward camped for several weeks in Caldwell County, primarily at Big Springs in what is now downtown Princeton; the county is one of the documented stations of this historic forced migration |
🌾 Black Patch Tobacco Wars & Night Riders — Caldwell County was at the heart of the early 20th-century Black Patch Tobacco Wars, when the Duke tobacco monopoly drove farmers into debt and a vigilante force called the Night Riders terrorized those who refused to cooperate with the farmer boycott — one of the largest agrarian uprisings in American history |
🌪️ December 2021 EF4 Tornado — One of the longest-tracked tornadoes in U.S. history swept through Princeton’s southern neighborhoods on December 10, 2021, demolishing approximately 70 homes; the tornado traveled over 165 miles at EF4 strength and significantly altered the local housing market
Bremner / TreeHouse Foods (largest private cookie factory in N. America), UK Research & Education Center (UKREC), Caldwell Medical Center, Caldwell County Schools, agriculture, county government
Eviction Court
District Court — Caldwell County Courthouse Annex
Circuit Court Clerk
Christie Storm — (270) 365-6884
Courthouse Address
Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445
Fax
(270) 365-9171
Payment
Cash, check, money order • Cash required for bond • 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)
Caldwell County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Caldwell County are filed in District Court at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445. Circuit Court Clerk: Christie Storm — Phone: (270) 365-6884 — Fax: (270) 365-9171. Payment: cash, check, money order. Cash required for bond. ePay available online. The clerk’s office is accessible via elevator. Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Verify current hearing schedules with the clerk 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 and no eviction may be filed. 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. All notices must be signed and properly served.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent (not including first month’s rent or fees). Additional pet or alteration deposits allowed. Must be held in a dedicated, separately titled bank account — never commingled. Return within 30 days with itemized written deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater, plus the amount owed (KRS Sections 56–59).
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.
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 under circumstances. Leave conspicuous written notice of entry if tenant is absent.
Post-Tornado Housing Market Note
The December 2021 EF4 tornado destroyed approximately 70 homes in Princeton’s southern neighborhoods. Landlords acquiring or rehabbing tornado-affected properties should verify all structural repairs meet current code before leasing. HB128’s habitability requirements — particularly weatherproofing, structural integrity, and electrical — apply from the first day of any tenancy. Obtain proper permits and final inspections for any renovation work.
Manufacturing Workforce
Bremner (TreeHouse Foods) and other Princeton manufacturers employ a significant share of the local workforce in production, logistics, and maintenance roles. These positions typically offer hourly pay with consistent schedules; verify income with recent pay stubs. Apply your income ratio consistently to all applicants regardless of employer or occupation.
Agricultural & Tobacco Workforce
Dark tobacco and grain farming remain part of the Caldwell County economy. For self-employed farmers or seasonal agricultural workers, request two years of tax returns and bank statements; calculate an annualized monthly income average and apply your income ratio to that figure. Apply criteria consistently.
Courthouse Records Note
Confederate cavalry burned the Caldwell County courthouse in December 1864, destroying some pre-war records. For title research on older properties, local title attorneys are familiar with these gaps and the alternative sources used to reconstruct records.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control. Landlords may raise rent freely at lease renewal. One month’s written notice required before any increase on a month-to-month tenancy takes effect.
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 in District Court at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex.
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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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.
Caldwell County market: Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton. Clerk Christie Storm, (270) 365-6884. Cash required for bond. Post-tornado (2021) rehab properties must meet full code before leasing. Bremner/manufacturing workforce: hourly pay, verify with pay stubs. Dark tobacco farming: use tax returns. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Cookies, the Trail of Tears, and HB128: Caldwell County Kentucky Landlord Law
The largest private cookie and cracker manufacturing facility in North America is in Princeton, Kentucky. Bremner — a TreeHouse Foods subsidiary — operates the plant that has made Caldwell County a quietly significant node in American food production. In 1838, the Cherokee people followed the Trail of Tears through this same county, camping for weeks at Big Springs in what is now downtown Princeton during a brutal winter relocation. Caldwell County was at the center of the early 20th-century Black Patch Tobacco Wars, when the Duke monopoly drove dark tobacco farmers into debt and the Night Riders became one of American history’s most dramatic agrarian vigilante movements. And in December 2021, one of the longest-tracked tornadoes in U.S. history — an EF4 that traveled more than 165 miles — tore through Princeton’s southern neighborhoods, demolishing approximately 70 homes in a single evening. For landlords managing rental property in Caldwell County in 2026, the legal framework is HB128 and the courthouse is on West Court Square in Princeton.
Filing at the Courthouse Annex
Evictions in Caldwell County are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445. Circuit Court Clerk Christie Storm handles filings at (270) 365-6884 — fax (270) 365-9171. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Payment is accepted by cash, check, and money order. Cash is required for bond. ePay is available online. The office is elevator-accessible. Verify current District Court civil hearing dates directly with the clerk’s office before filing.
The 14-day nonpayment notice must fully expire before you file your Forcible Detainer complaint. Serve the notice properly — in person, posted, or by certified mail, as permitted by your lease and applicable law — and retain dated proof of service. File only after the full 14 days have elapsed. For lease violations, the 14-day cure period and minimum 30-day termination timeline both run before you may file.
The Post-Tornado Housing Market
The December 2021 tornado reshaped Princeton’s residential landscape. Approximately 70 homes were demolished, and many more sustained significant damage. In the years since, a combination of new construction, insurance-funded rebuilds, and investor acquisition of damaged properties has altered the housing stock mix in the southern neighborhoods. Landlords acquiring or rehabbing tornado-affected properties should verify that all structural, electrical, weatherproofing, and mechanical repairs have been completed to current code and received final inspections before placing tenants. HB128’s nonwaivable habitability requirements apply from day one of any tenancy — a partially repaired property that fails to meet weatherproofing, heating, plumbing, or structural standards creates immediate legal exposure. Get the permits, do the inspections, and document everything before handing over keys.
HB128 in Princeton’s Manufacturing and Agricultural Economy
Caldwell County’s workforce is primarily manufacturing (Bremner and related suppliers), healthcare (Caldwell Medical Center), county/state government, and agriculture (dark tobacco, grain). For manufacturing workers — who typically earn consistent hourly wages — standard pay stub verification is straightforward. Verify base wage, scheduled hours, and employer contact information; apply your income ratio consistently. For agricultural workers or self-employed tobacco farmers, seasonal income patterns require a different approach: request two years of tax returns and corresponding bank statements, calculate an annualized monthly average, and apply your income ratio to that figure. The security deposit at the 2× cap provides meaningful downside protection in a lower-rent market.
HB128’s nonwaivable habitability duty covers 13 categories and cannot be contracted away in any lease. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services) or the tenant’s remedies attach. Return security deposits within 30 days of move-out with an itemized deduction statement — the $250 or 2× withheld penalty applies regardless of the amount held or the market size. Self-help evictions — lockouts, utility shutoffs, removing tenant belongings — are prohibited and expose you to 3× periodic rent in damages. File a proper Forcible Detainer if you need possession back.
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.
