Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Jamestown, Russell Springs, Eli & Russell County
📍 County Seat: Jamestown (pop. ~1,769) 👥 County Pop. 17,936 (2020) ⚖️ Court: Russell County Justice Center — 410 Monument Sq., Jamestown 🎣 Lake Cumberland • Wolf Creek Dam • South-Central KY 🏥 Russell County Hospital • Somerset Adjacent • Agriculture 🏛️ Named for William Russell • Wolf Creek & Cumberland River Confluence
Russell County was established on December 14, 1825 from parts of Adair, Cumberland, and Wayne counties and named for Colonel William Russell, a Virginia militia officer and frontier soldier who fought in multiple campaigns in the early settlement of Kentucky. The county seat, Jamestown, was established in 1826. Russell County covers approximately 254 square miles of south-central Kentucky terrain along the Cumberland River and recorded a 2020 census population of 17,936 residents.
Russell County is defined geographically by Lake Cumberland and the Wolf Creek Dam, which sit at the county’s eastern edge where the Cumberland River backs up into the lake. The dam, completed in 1952, created the massive reservoir that stretches westward into Pulaski County and has shaped the south-central Kentucky tourism and outdoor recreation economy for generations. Russell Springs, the county’s largest community and commercial center (larger than Jamestown), serves as the primary retail and service hub. The county is adjacent to Somerset (Pulaski County) to the north, and many Russell County residents are employed in Somerset’s economy. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Russell County Justice Center, 410 Monument Square, Jamestown, KY 42629. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🎣 Wolf Creek Dam & Lake Cumberland’s Eastern Anchor — Wolf Creek Dam (1952) on the Cumberland River sits at the Russell-Pulaski county line; the dam created Lake Cumberland, one of the largest reservoirs in the eastern US; Russell County’s lakefront and marina facilities make it part of the broader Lake Cumberland outdoor recreation economy |
🏘️ Russell Springs — Larger Commercial Center Than the County Seat — Russell Springs is the county’s largest community and commercial center, though Jamestown is the official county seat; this is one of the more notable cases in Kentucky where the county seat is not the county’s primary commercial hub |
🌊 Cumberland River & Army Corps of Engineers Easements — The Cumberland River through Russell County is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Lake Cumberland reservoir system; lakefront and riverfront properties may be subject to Army Corps flowage easements below the normal pool elevation, similar to the easements discussed in the Pulaski County section of this guide |
🚗 Somerset (Pulaski County) Adjacent — Regional Employment Spillover — Jamestown is only about 12–15 miles west of Somerset via US-127; the proximity to Pulaski County’s larger economy means many Russell County residents are employed at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset businesses, and other Pulaski County employers
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Jamestown (~1,769)
Other Communities
Russell Springs (largest community), Eli, Creelsboro, Jabez, Dunnville
County Population
17,936 (2020)
Region
South-Central KY • Lake Cumberland • Lake Cumberland ADD
Major Employers
Russell County Schools, Russell County Hospital, county/state government, Lake Cumberland tourism & marina industry, agriculture, commuter employment in Somerset (Pulaski Co., ~12–15 mi N via US-127)
Eviction Court
District Court — Russell County Justice Center
Court Address
410 Monument Sq., Jamestown, KY 42629
Court Phone
(270) 343-2185 (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
Russell County Justice Center — 410 Monument Sq., Jamestown
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)
Russell County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Russell County are filed in District Court at the Russell County Justice Center, 410 Monument Square, Jamestown, KY 42629. Phone: (270) 343-2185. Jamestown is a small county seat; call ahead to verify current office hours, clerk contact, and civil hearing dates. Note: Russell Springs (a larger commercial center) is not the county seat; evictions must be filed in Jamestown. Parking is available near the justice center.
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 condition at every tenancy 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.
Somerset (Pulaski County) Commuter Segment
Somerset is approximately 12–15 miles north of Jamestown and 10 miles north of Russell Springs via US-127. The short distance makes Somerset commuting genuinely practical for Russell County residents. Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset Community College, and the broader Somerset commercial economy are accessible for daily commuters. Verify Somerset employment with standard pay stubs or employer letters.
Lake Cumberland Lakefront & Army Corps Easements
Lake Cumberland’s eastern end and Wolf Creek Dam sit in Russell County; lakefront properties throughout the Lake Cumberland area are subject to Army Corps of Engineers flowage easements on land below the normal pool elevation. Verify easement boundaries before making improvements to lakefront rental properties. The lake supports significant marina and tourism employment in the county.
Tourism & Seasonal Income
Lake Cumberland tourism supports marina, hospitality, and outdoor recreation employment with seasonal variability. Review multiple months of pay history for seasonally employed applicants and assess whether annual income is sufficient to sustain a 12-month lease consistently.
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. Most older Jamestown and Russell Springs housing requires this disclosure.
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 Russell County Justice Center in Jamestown.
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.
Russell County market: South-central KY lake county adjacent to Pulaski. Somerset commuters (~12–15 mi N via US-127) add professional income. Lake Cumberland tourism employment is seasonal. Army Corps easements apply to lakefront properties. Note: Evictions must be filed in Jamestown, not Russell Springs. Lead paint for older housing. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Wolf Creek Dam, the Somerset Corridor, and HB128: Russell County Kentucky Landlord Law
Wolf Creek Dam sits at the eastern edge of Russell County, where the Cumberland River was impounded in 1952 to create Lake Cumberland. The dam is one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ most significant eastern reservoir projects, and the lake it created — stretching 101 miles westward through Pulaski, Cumberland, and Clinton counties — transformed the south-central Kentucky economy in ways that are still visible in every marina, houseboat rental, and lake-view cabin in the region. Russell County, which sits at the dam’s foot and along the lake’s eastern shoreline, has been part of that transformation.
Russell County was established in 1825 from Adair, Cumberland, and Wayne counties and named for Colonel William Russell, a Virginia militia officer who participated in multiple Kentucky frontier campaigns. The county seat of Jamestown was established in 1826. The county recorded 17,936 residents in 2020. Russell Springs, while not the official county seat, is the county’s largest community and primary commercial center — a distinction worth noting for any landlord filing evictions, as all Forcible Detainer actions must be filed in Jamestown, not Russell Springs.
Somerset’s Economic Shadow
Somerset (Pulaski County) is approximately 12 to 15 miles north of Jamestown and 10 miles north of Russell Springs via US-127. The short commute distance means that a significant share of Russell County’s employed population works in Somerset rather than locally — at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset Community College, and the broad Somerset commercial, retail, and professional services economy. Workers employed in Somerset who choose to live in Russell County for lower housing costs, lake access, or community preference bring Somerset-level incomes into Russell County’s rental market. This is the same Somerset economic spillover described in the Pulaski County section of this guide; the two counties are functionally integrated for employment purposes. Verify Somerset employment with standard documentation.
Filing in Jamestown and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Russell County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Russell County Justice Center, 410 Monument Square, Jamestown, KY 42629, phone (270) 343-2185. Jamestown is the county seat — not Russell Springs, which is larger but not the governmental seat. 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 required for most older Russell County housing. Army Corps easements apply to Lake Cumberland lakefront properties. Wolf Creek Dam has held for more than 70 years because it was built to specification and maintained according to plan. A properly maintained landlord-tenant relationship works on the same principle.
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 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.
⚠️ 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. Note: Evictions must be filed in Jamestown, the county seat, not Russell Springs. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
