Housing (Renters)

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to define terms; permit a tenant to terminate a residential lease or rental agreement if he or she is seeking relocation due to a recent mental or physical health emergency; require the tenant to pay any rent due prorated to the effective date of termination; relieve the tenant from liability for any other rent or fees resulting from the termination; permit a covered tenant to terminate a lease or rental agreement upon the death of his or her spouse or cotenant; permit a tenant to terminate a residential lease or rental agreement if the landlord fails to abate a lead-hazard; relieve the tenant from liability for any other rent or fees resulting from the termination due to a lead-hazard; direct that provisions apply only to leases or rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a refundable qualified rent payment credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031, in the amount of 25% of the qualified rent payments made during the taxable year, not to exceed $1,000; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow reporting by the Department of Revenue.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to prohibit landlords from charging screening fees without notice to the applicant; require screening criteria from landlords; require landlords to provide notice of denial to applicants; allow applicants to view the property before a security deposit is paid.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to establish a civil cause of action for a tenant against a landlord who receives a citation for a violation of a local housing code and does not remedy the violation within 90 days; provide that if the cost of the repair exceeds 12 months' rent, the landlord may refund rent and obtain possession of the property within 30 days; establish procedure for determining cost of repair; specify recoverable damages; establish procedure for maintaining a forcible detainer action during the pendency of the tenant's civil action; require rent due during pendency of civil action to be paid into court; declare a waiver of rights to be unenforceable; provide that the Act may be cited as the Make Our Landlords Diligent (M.O.L.D) Act.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish a refundable qualified rent payment credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031, in the amount of 25% of the qualified rent payments made during the taxable year, not to exceed $1,000; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow reporting by the Department of Revenue.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 383 to define "algorithmic device"; prohibit the use of algorithmic devices in setting the amount of rent to be charged to a residential tenant and provide that such use violates KRS 367.170 and 367.175 of the Consumer Protection Act; provide that the prohibition shall apply to a landlord's calculation of rent for a rental agreement executed on or after the effective date of the Act.