Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Russellville, Lewisburg, Adairville, Auburn & Logan County
📍 County Seat: Russellville (pop. ~8,001) 👥 County Pop. 27,009 (2020) ⚖️ Court: Logan County Justice Center — 200 W. 4th St., Russellville 🌾 South-Central KY • Tennessee Border • Pennyrile Region 🏭 Logan Aluminum • Manufacturing Hub 🏛️ Named for Benjamin Logan • Russellville Convention 1861
Logan County was established on January 6, 1792 — the year Kentucky became a state — from Lincoln County and named for Colonel Benjamin Logan, the frontier militia leader and founder of Logan’s Fort (present-day Stanford) who was one of Kentucky’s most celebrated early settlers. The county seat, Russellville, was established in 1798 and named for William Russell, a Virginia officer and early Kentucky settler. Logan County covers approximately 555 square miles of rolling south-central Kentucky terrain along the Tennessee border and recorded a 2020 census population of 27,009 residents.
Logan County has a richer economic base than many of its south-central Kentucky peers, anchored by Logan Aluminum — one of the largest aluminum rolling mills in North America — which has operated in Russellville since the 1980s and is one of the county’s dominant employers. Manufacturing has historically been strong here, and the county’s position on US-68 and proximity to Bowling Green (Warren County, roughly 35 miles east via US-68) and the Tennessee state line give it reasonable access to a broader regional economy. Russellville also has historical significance as the site of the Russellville Convention of 1861, where a provisional Confederate government for Kentucky was declared — a convention that Kentucky’s Unionist state government refused to recognize. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Logan County Justice Center, 200 W. 4th Street, Russellville, KY 42276. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🏭 Logan Aluminum — One of North America’s Largest Aluminum Mills — Logan Aluminum in Russellville operates one of the largest aluminum rolling operations in North America, producing sheet aluminum for beverage cans and automotive applications; it is one of Logan County’s largest employers and has anchored the county’s manufacturing economy since the 1980s |
🏛️ Russellville Convention of 1861 — Kentucky’s Confederate Government — In October 1861, Confederate sympathizers meeting in Russellville declared a provisional Confederate government for Kentucky, appointing George Johnson as provisional governor; Kentucky’s legitimate Unionist state government refused to recognize the convention, and the Confederate “state” of Kentucky existed largely on paper |
🌾 Pennyroyal Region — Tobacco & Agriculture Heritage — Logan County sits in the Pennyrile (Pennyroyal) region of western Kentucky, an area historically associated with burley and dark tobacco production; agriculture remains an important part of the county’s economy alongside manufacturing |
🔫 Named for Benjamin Logan — Builder of Logan’s Fort — Benjamin Logan built the frontier fort in present-day Stanford that became one of Kentucky’s three original settlement stations; he served as a militia general and was one of the most important figures of the Kentucky settlement era, giving his name to both Logan County and (indirectly) to Logan’s Fort
South-Central KY • Pennyrile • Barren River Area Development District • Tennessee Border
Major Employers
Logan Aluminum, Logan County Schools, Logan Memorial Hospital, county/state government, agriculture (tobacco, cattle), Bowling Green (Warren Co.) commuter employment
Eviction Court
District Court — Logan County Justice Center
Court Address
200 W. 4th St., Russellville, KY 42276
Court Phone
(270) 726-6065 (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
Logan County Justice Center — 200 W. 4th St., Russellville
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)
Logan County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Logan County are filed in District Court at the Logan County Justice Center, 200 W. 4th Street, Russellville, KY 42276. Phone: (270) 726-6065. Russellville is a small-to-mid-sized south-central Kentucky city; parking is available near the justice center. Verify current civil hearing dates and filing requirements 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.
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 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.
Logan Aluminum & Manufacturing Tenant Profile
Logan Aluminum is one of Logan County’s largest employers, operating one of the largest aluminum rolling mills in North America with hundreds of well-compensated manufacturing workers. Logan Aluminum employees represent some of the most financially reliable rental applicants in the county: union-scale or competitive wages, stable employment at a facility that has operated for decades, and predictable shift income verifiable by pay stubs. Distinguish between direct Logan Aluminum employees and contractors or staffing agency workers, who may have less stable tenure. Apply income ratio criteria consistently and verify employment type with the applicant’s documentation.
Bowling Green Commuter Segment
Logan County is roughly 35 miles west of Bowling Green (Warren County) via US-68, a manageable commute for workers employed at Western Kentucky University, Med Center Health, General Motors (Corvette plant), and the broader Bowling Green manufacturing and healthcare economy. Verify Bowling Green employment with standard documentation. This commuter segment adds income diversity above Logan County’s own employment baseline.
Red River Flood Risk
The Red River drains portions of Logan County, and low-lying properties near the river and its tributaries carry flood risk. Verify FEMA flood zone status for riverside or bottomland properties before renting and disclose known flood risk to tenants in writing.
Lead Paint Disclosure
For any dwelling built before 1978 — most of Russellville’s older housing stock — federal law requires written disclosure of known lead paint hazards and delivery of the EPA pamphlet before lease signing. Newer construction in the county is 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 Logan 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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Logan County market: South-central KY county with one of the region’s strongest manufacturing anchors in Logan Aluminum. Stable tenant base: Logan Aluminum workers, Logan Memorial Hospital staff, county schools employees, and Bowling Green commuters (~35 mi east via US-68). Red River flood risk for bottomland properties. Lead paint disclosure required for older Russellville stock. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Logan Aluminum, Russellville’s Convention, and HB128: Logan County Kentucky Landlord Law
In October 1861, delegates gathered at Russellville, Kentucky and declared a provisional Confederate government for the state. It was an act of considerable political drama and limited practical consequence — Kentucky’s legitimate Unionist state government, which had declared neutrality and then firmly sided with the Union after Confederate forces violated that neutrality first, refused to recognize the Russellville Convention’s authority. The provisional Confederate state of Kentucky existed largely as a symbol, its government following Confederate armies rather than governing any actual territory. George Johnson, the provisional governor, died at Shiloh in April 1862, and the Confederate claim to Kentucky eventually dissolved. Russellville remembered the Convention for a long time, with the complexity that border-state history requires — an event produced by genuine Confederate sympathy in the region, ultimately swept away by the larger current of the war.
Logan County was established in 1792, named for Colonel Benjamin Logan — the builder of Logan’s Fort who had been one of the central figures of the Kentucky frontier settlement. The county seat of Russellville was established in 1798 and has grown into a small city of about 8,000, the commercial hub of a county that in 2020 counted 27,009 residents across 555 square miles of rolling south-central Kentucky terrain near the Tennessee border. The Pennyrile region’s dark and burley tobacco heritage, the agricultural productivity of the county’s farmland, and a manufacturing base anchored by one of the most significant industrial operations in western Kentucky make Logan County’s economy considerably more robust than its geographic neighbors in several directions.
Logan Aluminum: The Dominant Manufacturing Anchor
Logan Aluminum’s facility in Russellville is one of the largest aluminum rolling mills in North America. The plant produces aluminum sheet for beverage can stock and automotive body sheet — products that go into the beer cans and car hoods that Americans consume in enormous quantities — and has done so since it opened in the 1980s as a joint venture (now Novelis-owned). The operation employs hundreds of workers in positions that range from production operators to engineers, metallurgists, and logistics staff, at wage levels that are above the Logan County average for manufacturing. The plant operates continuously on a shift schedule, which means Logan Aluminum employees may have irregular but predictable income patterns; pay stubs covering two or three recent pay periods provide the clearest picture of actual take-home pay including shift differentials.
For landlords, Logan Aluminum workers are among the most desirable rental applicants in Logan County. The plant has been continuously operating for over four decades, the jobs pay well, and the workforce tends to be rooted in the community. Screen with standard documentation — recent pay stubs, employer verification from the Logan Aluminum HR department — and apply your income ratio consistently. Distinguish between direct Logan Aluminum employees (more stable) and contractors or temp agency workers assigned to the facility (potentially shorter tenure). The distinction matters and can be determined from the pay stub’s issuer: a Logan Aluminum or Novelis paycheck is direct employment; a staffing agency paycheck is not.
Logan Memorial Hospital and Public Employment
Logan Memorial Hospital provides healthcare employment to physicians, nurses, and support staff in the county. Logan County Schools is the dominant public employment base. Together with county and state government positions, these public and institutional employers provide a stable counterweight to the manufacturing base. Healthcare and education employment in a county like Logan tends to be well-anchored: these positions do not disappear when aluminum prices fall or automotive demand shifts. The Bowling Green commuter segment, roughly 35 miles east via US-68, adds workers at Western Kentucky University, Med Center Health, General Motors (the Corvette assembly plant), and other Bowling Green employers who have chosen Logan County’s lower housing costs over Warren County proximity.
Filing in Russellville and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Logan County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Logan County Justice Center, 200 W. 4th Street, Russellville, KY 42276, phone (270) 726-6065. Russellville has accessible parking near the justice center. Verify current hearing dates before your visit. 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 across 13 categories; 24-hour advance entry notice; self-help eviction prohibited at three times periodic rent. Lead paint disclosure required for older Russellville housing stock. The Russellville Convention declared a Confederate state of Kentucky that never quite materialized. HB128 declares a set of landlord-tenant obligations for Logan County that very much do — with no exemptions for history or sympathy.
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. Federal lead paint disclosure requirements apply to pre-1978 housing. Red River flood zone status should be verified through FEMA flood maps. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
