Kansas landlord-tenant law FAQ
38 answers to common Kansas landlord questions. Every answer is a verified fact with its official source and last-checked date.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Kansas?
No more than 1 month's rent (unfurnished); up to 1.5 months if furnished; plus up to half a month's rent extra for pets.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2550(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full security deposit limit page
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Kansas?
Within 14 days after the amount of deductions is determined, and no later than 30 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2550(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full deposit return deadline page
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Kansas?
Entry is allowed at reasonable hours after reasonable notice (no fixed number of hours in the statute); no consent needed in an extreme hazard.
Verified Source: K.S.A. § 58-2557 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full notice to enter page
How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Kansas?
Kansas's landlord-tenant law (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no notice period for rent increases; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent increase notice page
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Kansas, and how much?
Kansas's landlord-tenant law (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no late-fee cap; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fees page
What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Kansas?
3 days' written notice to pay or the lease terminates (three consecutive 24-hour periods).
Verified Source: K.S.A. § 58-2564(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction notice (nonpayment) page
Can cities in Kansas pass rent control?
Yes. No county, city or township may enact, maintain or enforce any ordinance that controls the rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial property.
Verified Source: K.S.A. § 12-16,120 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent control / state preemption page
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Kansas?
Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice ending on a rent-paying date at least 30 days after the notice is received (7 days for week-to-week). A tenant in the military who must move under orders needs to give no more than 15 days' notice.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2570(a)–(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full ending a month-to-month tenancy page
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Kansas?
Kansas's landlord-tenant law (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573, read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no requirement to pay interest on security deposits; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full interest on deposits page
Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Kansas?
Required. Within 5 days of move-in, the landlord and tenant must jointly inventory the premises in a written record of the condition of the unit, furnishings and appliances, signed by both. The tenant gets a copy.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2548 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full move-in/move-out checklist page
Is landlord retaliation illegal in Kansas?
Yes. A landlord may not raise rent or cut services because the tenant complained to a code agency or to the landlord, or joined a tenants' union. Retaliation is a defense to eviction. Good-faith increases to cover rising costs are allowed.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2572 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full retaliation protections page
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Kansas?
Unlawful removal or exclusion of a tenant, or willful interruption of electric, gas, water or other essential services, lets the tenant recover possession or terminate, plus up to 1½ months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2563 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lockouts and utility shutoffs page
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Kansas?
For material noncompliance affecting health and safety, the tenant may give written notice ending the lease on a rent date 30+ days later unless the landlord starts a good-faith remedy within 14 days.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2559 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repairs and habitability remedies page
What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Kansas?
At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for service and notices), and keep this current.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2551 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full required lease disclosures page
What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Kansas?
Abandonment may be assumed after 10 days' nonpayment if the tenant has removed a substantial part of their belongings. Property left behind may be stored at the tenant's expense and sold or disposed of 30 days after the landlord takes it. At least 15 days before, the landlord must publish newspaper notice and mail a copy to the tenant within 7 days of publication.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2565 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full abandoned property page
Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Kansas?
Military: a month-to-month tenant on U.S. military service whose orders require moving needs to give no more than 15 days' written notice.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2570(b) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full early termination (dv/military) page
Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Kansas?
The Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573) sets no grace period for late fees (whole act read).
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 et seq. · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fee grace period page
How does the eviction court process work in Kansas?
The court sets the time in the summons for the tenant to appear. It must be at least 3 and no more than 14 days after the summons is issued.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 61-3805 (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction court process & timeline page
What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Kansas?
If a tenant stays without consent after the lease ends, the landlord may sue for possession. For a willful, bad-faith holdover, the landlord may also recover the greater of up to 1.5 months' rent or 1.5 times actual damages.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2570(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full holdover tenants page
How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Kansas?
A search of the full text of the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573) found no application-fee limit.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full application fees & screening page
Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Kansas?
A search of the full text of K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 found no repair-and-deduct remedy.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repair and deduct page
Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Kansas?
A search of the full text of the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573) found no rule on subletting or assignment. The lease controls.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full subletting & assignment page
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Kansas?
The Kansas Act Against Discrimination's housing section protects race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin and ancestry. Source of income is not on the list. Check local ordinances.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 44-1016 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full source of income discrimination page
Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Kansas?
In a nonpayment eviction where the tenant counterclaims, the court may order the tenant to pay accrued and future rent into court. The court then decides what each party is owed.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2561 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent withholding / escrow page
What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Kansas?
A search of the full text of the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573) found no provision on a tenant's death.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full death of a tenant page
Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Kansas?
Each story of every dwelling unit needs a smoke detector, and multi-unit buildings also need one at the top of each interior stairwell. The owner must supply and install them. In rental units, the tenant must test and maintain them after moving in.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 31-162 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full smoke & co detectors page
What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Kansas?
If pets are allowed, the landlord may take an extra pet deposit of up to half a month's rent, on top of the regular deposit cap.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2550(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals page
What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Kansas?
A search of the full text of K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 found no requirement for landlords to pay tenants relocation assistance. Government relocation programs, such as those for public projects, are in other laws not reviewed here.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full tenant relocation assistance page
What is the rent receipts, payment methods & cash rule in Kansas?
A search of the full text of K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 found no rule requiring rent receipts, requiring or banning any payment method, or limiting payment fees. Unless otherwise agreed, rent is due at the time and place the parties agreed.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent receipts, payment methods & cash page
What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Kansas?
Yes. If the breach can be fixed and the tenant starts a good-faith effort to fix it before the date in the notice, the lease does not end. Code text: "if the breach is remediable by repairs or the payment of damages or otherwise, and the tenant adequately initiates a good faith effort to remedy the breach prior to the date specified in the notice, the rental agreement will not terminate."
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2564(a) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full right to cure / redeem page
What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Kansas?
For a material lease violation, the landlord gives written notice that the lease ends at least 30 days after the tenant receives it unless the breach is fixed within 14 days. Code text: "the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than 30 days after receipt of the notice, if the breach is not remedied in 14 days."
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2564(a) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) page
What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Kansas?
A tenant who is a protected person, meaning a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking (or in imminent danger of it) within the past 12 months, is not liable for rent after moving out if they notify the landlord as the statute requires. Code text: "A tenant or lessee shall not be liable for rent for the period after the tenant or lessee vacates the premises."
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-25,137 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full domestic violence early termination page
What is the manufactured / mobile home parks rule in Kansas?
Under the Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a park may end a rental agreement for a material breach with written notice of at least 30 days if the breach is not fixed in 14 days, or after 3 days' written notice for unpaid rent. Code text: "the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than 30 days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in 14 days."
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-25,120 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full manufactured / mobile home parks page
What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Kansas?
A month-to-month tenant in U.S. military service whose orders require ending the tenancy needs to give no more than 15 days' written notice. Code text: "not more than 15 days' written notice by a tenant shall be necessary to terminate any such tenancy where the tenant is in the military service of the United States and termination of the tenancy is necessitated by military orders."
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2570(b) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full scra / military lease termination page
What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Kansas?
Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after."
Verified Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full military lease termination (federal scra, all states) page
What is the rental / transient occupancy tax rule in Kansas?
In Kansas counties over 300,000 population (and cities in them), local governments may levy a transient guest tax of up to 2% on sleeping-accommodation receipts from guests staying 28 days or less. Other cities and counties use related statutes for their own guest taxes. Statute text: "the governing body of any county having a population of more than 300,000 or the governing body of any city, all or any portion of which is located within such county, is hereby authorized to levy a transient guest tax at not to exceed the rate of 2% upon the gross receipts derived from or paid directly or through an accommodations broker by transient guests for sleeping accommodations in any hotel, motel or tourist court" (K.S.A. 12-1693(a); definitions 12-1692).
Verified Source: K.S.A. 12-1693(a); 12-1692 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full rental / transient occupancy tax page
What is the guest & occupancy limits rule in Kansas?
The state landlord-tenant statute (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), read in full on 2026-10-16) has no provision on guest stays or occupancy limits. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full guest & occupancy limits page
Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Kansas?
Kansas's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573, read in full on 2026-10-16) sets no rules on screening applicants' criminal or credit history; federal fair-housing and FCRA rules still apply.
Verified Source: K.S.A. 58-2540 to 58-2573 · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full criminal & credit history rules page
Kansas cities with their own rules
- Fairway landlord rules
- Great Bend landlord rules
- Kansas City (Unified Government of Wyandotte County) landlord rules
- Lawrence landlord rules
- Leavenworth landlord rules
- Prairie Village landlord rules
- Shawnee landlord rules
- Wichita landlord rules
- Wyandotte County landlord rules
All Kansas landlord-tenant law
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