Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 344 § 344.380
Block busting
Operative Text
344.380 Block busting. It is an unlawful practice for a real estate operator, a real estate broker, a real estate salesman, a financial institution, an employee of any of these, or any other person, for the purpose of inducing a real estate transaction from which a person may benefit financially: (1) To represent that a change has occurred or will or may occur in the composition with respect to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin of the owners or occupants in the block, neighborhood, or area in which the real property is located; (2) To represent that this change will or may result in the lowering of property values, an increase in criminal or antisocial behavior, or a decline in the quality of schools in the block, neighborhood, or area in which the real property is located; or (3) To induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.
Kentucky Revised Statute § 344.380 prohibits a practice commonly known as 'blockbusting,' in which real estate operators, brokers, salespersons, financial institutions, or their employees make representations about demographic changes in a neighborhood—such as shifts in race, religion, sex, disability status, familial status, or national origin—in order to financially profit from a resulting real estate transaction. The law specifically bars claims that such changes will lower property values, increase crime, or reduce school quality. It also forbids any attempt to pressure people into selling or renting their homes by suggesting that members of a particular group are moving into the area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.380, compliant real estate operators and property managers avoid making any statements—whether explicit or implied—about the demographic composition of a neighborhood when soliciting or facilitating a real estate transaction. Operators generally train staff and affiliated brokers to refrain from referencing race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status in ways that could be construed as steering a transaction. Maintaining clear, documented communication policies helps demonstrate that marketing and sales practices align with the blockbusting prohibition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.380 gives residents and prospective buyers or renters protection against being manipulated through fear-based or discriminatory representations about who lives—or may move—into a neighborhood. If a real estate professional makes statements suggesting that demographic changes will harm property values or neighborhood quality, that conduct may constitute an unlawful practice under this provision. Individuals who believe they have experienced blockbusting can explore options such as filing a complaint with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights or fair-housing organization for general information.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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