KS
Kansas Landlord-Tenant Laws
Security Deposit Limits
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Unfurnished unit: maximum 1 month's rent
- Furnished unit: maximum 1.5 months' rent
- Pet deposit: additional 0.5 month's rent allowed
- Limits apply regardless of lease type or duration
- Total maximum for furnished unit with pet: 2 months' rent
Move-In Inspection Requirement
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Must be completed within 5 days of tenant move-in
- Joint inspection by landlord and tenant required
- Written record must detail condition of premises, furnishings, and appliances
- Both parties must sign the inventory
- Both parties must receive signed copies
- +1 more requirements
Security Deposit Return Timeline
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Full deposit return: 30 days after termination and delivery of possession
- If withholding any amount: itemized statement required within 14 days
- Statement must detail specific reasons for retention and amount for each reason
- Must mail to tenant's last known address
- Timeline begins when tenant delivers possession AND terminates rental agreement
Permitted Security Deposit Deductions
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- May deduct for unpaid rent
- May deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear
- May deduct for restoring, replacing, or returning property/appurtenances
- Cannot charge for normal wear and tear (expressly prohibited)
- Amounts must be reasonably necessary
- +1 more requirements
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Failure to comply with return/itemization requirements triggers penalties
- Tenant may recover wrongfully withheld amount
- Tenant entitled to 1.5x damages (150% of amount wrongfully withheld)
- Tenant may recover reasonable attorney fees
- Penalty applies for missing 14-day itemization or 30-day return deadline
3-Day Notice for Nonpayment (Tenancy Under 3 Months)
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Applies to ALL rental agreements for nonpayment of rent
- 3 days counted as three consecutive 24-hour periods
- Notice must state amount owed and landlord's intent to terminate
- If served in person or posted: 3-day period begins immediately
- If mailed: add 2 additional days (5 total)
- +2 more requirements
10-Day Notice for Nonpayment (Tenancy 3+ Months)
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Applies to tenancies of 3 months or longer
- 10 days' written notice to quit required
- Notice must be given for nonpayment of rent when due
- Tenant can cure by paying rent before 10-day period expires
- If not paid within 10 days, lease is terminated
- +1 more requirements
30-Day Notice for Lease Violations (14-Day Cure Period)
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- 30-day notice required for material lease violations or health/safety violations
- Notice must specify acts/omissions constituting breach
- Tenant has 14 days to cure the violation
- If cured within 14 days, lease continues
- If not cured, lease terminates on 30th day from notice
- +2 more requirements
30-Day Notice for Repeat Violations (No Cure)
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Applies when substantially same violation recurs during tenancy
- 30-day written notice required
- No opportunity to cure on repeat violation
- Notice must specify the breach and termination date
- Must have given notice for first violation
- +1 more requirements
Forcible Detainer (Eviction Lawsuit) Process
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Forcible detainer is Kansas's eviction lawsuit process
- Filed in district court in county where property is located
- Petition must describe premises and state reason for eviction
- Can combine claim for possession with claim for unpaid rent/damages
- Tenant may file counterclaims (must be raised or waived)
- +2 more requirements
Methods of Serving Notices
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Personal service to tenant
- Service to person 12+ years old residing at premises
- Posting in conspicuous place on premises (if no one present)
- Certified or registered mail (with return receipt)
- If mailed: add 2 additional days to notice period
- +1 more requirements
Writ of Restitution for Immediate Possession
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Issued after judgment for landlord
- Orders tenant to deliver possession to landlord
- May also order payment of rent and other amounts owed
- Sheriff executes writ to physically remove tenant
- Landlord typically responsible for labor/moving assistance
Abandoned Property After Eviction
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Landlord must inventory abandoned property after eviction or abandonment
- Must publish notice in newspaper OR post on unit
- Must mail/deliver copy of notice to tenant's last known address
- Notice must be published/posted for 30 days
- After 30 days, landlord may sell or dispose of property
- +1 more requirements
Landlord's Duty to Maintain Premises
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Comply with all building and housing codes affecting health and safety
- Make all necessary repairs to keep premises fit and habitable
- Maintain all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, HVAC, and elevators in good working order
- Provide garbage/waste receptacles and arrange removal
- Supply running water, hot water, and reasonable heat (unless tenant controls directly)
- +2 more requirements
Tenant's Maintenance and Conduct Obligations
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety
- Keep occupied areas clean and safe
- Properly dispose of garbage and waste
- Keep plumbing fixtures clean
- Use all facilities and appliances reasonably
- +3 more requirements
Tenant Remedies for Landlord Noncompliance
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Tenant may give 30-day notice for material noncompliance or health/safety issues
- Notice must specify breach and state termination date
- Landlord has 14 days to make good faith effort to remedy
- If landlord doesn't remedy, tenant may terminate lease
- Tenant may recover damages and obtain injunctive relief
- +2 more requirements
Landlord Remedy for Tenant's Failure to Maintain
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Applies to tenant violations of maintenance duties affecting health and safety
- Landlord must give 14-day written notice specifying breach and requesting remedy (or immediate in emergency)
- If tenant doesn't comply, landlord may enter and have work done
- Work must be done in workmanlike manner
- Landlord may charge actual and reasonable cost
- +2 more requirements
Landlord Right of Entry
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Entry at reasonable hours with reasonable notice to tenant
- Valid reasons: inspections, repairs, alterations, services, showing to prospective buyers/tenants/contractors
- Emergency entry permitted without notice for extreme hazard (potential loss of life or severe property damage)
- Landlord cannot abuse access rights or use to harass tenant
- Kansas law does not specify exact notice period ("reasonable notice" standard)
Remedies for Abuse of Access Rights
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Tenant refusing lawful access: landlord may get injunction or terminate, recover damages and attorney fees
- Landlord unlawful/unreasonable entry or harassment: tenant may get injunction or terminate
- Tenant entitled to damages plus reasonable attorney fees
- Court may grant injunctive relief to prevent recurring violations
- Both parties have termination option for abuse of access
Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancies
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- 30 days' written notice required
- Either party (landlord or tenant) may terminate
- Notice must specify termination date
- No cause required for termination
- Notice period is minimum 30 days before specified termination date
Tenant Abandonment of Premises
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Landlord must inventory abandoned property
- Applies to voluntary abandonment or court-ordered removal
- Must follow notice requirements for disposing of property (30-day process)
- Landlord has duty to mitigate damages and re-rent at fair market value
Prohibition on Retaliatory Conduct
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Landlord cannot retaliate for: (1) code complaints to government, (2) complaints to landlord about violations
- Prohibited retaliatory acts: rent increases, service decreases, eviction threats/actions
- Complaint within 1 year creates presumption of retaliation
- Presumption doesn't arise if complaint made after rent increase notice
- Tenant may recover damages and attorney fees for retaliation
- +1 more requirements
Tenant Remedies for Unlawful Eviction
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Self-help evictions (lockouts, utility shutoffs) are illegal
- Landlord must use court process (forcible detainer)
- Tenant may recover possession or terminate lease
- Tenant entitled to greater of: (1) 1.5 months' rent, or (2) actual damages
- Tenant may recover reasonable attorney fees
- +1 more requirements
Required Landlord Disclosures
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Must disclose in writing: (1) name/address of property manager, (2) name/address of owner or agent for service of process
- Disclosure required at or before tenancy begins
- Information must be kept current throughout tenancy
- Failure to disclose makes person an agent for service and obligations
- Required for all rental agreements
Rental Agreement Terms and Prohibited Provisions
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Lease terms must not violate Residential Landlord and Tenant Act or other laws
- Prohibited clauses: (1) waiver of statutory rights/remedies, (2) confession of judgment, (3) tenant pays landlord's attorney fees (with exceptions), (4) exculpation/indemnification clauses
- Prohibited provisions are unenforceable
- If landlord willfully uses prohibited provisions, tenant may recover actual damages + reasonable attorney fees
- Rent due at beginning of month unless otherwise agreed
- +1 more requirements
Housing Protections for Domestic Violence Victims
K.S.A.
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Special protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking
- May provide defense against eviction in certain circumstances
- Protections established by 2021 statute
- Tenants should consult statute or attorney for specific protections available