Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 344 § 344.675
Appointment of attorney and award of fees
Operative Text
344.675 Appointment of attorney and award of fees. (1) In any administrative proceeding brought under KRS 344.640 or 344.645 or any court proceeding arising therefrom, including actions described in KRS 344.240 or any civil action, the commission or the court, as the case may be, upon application of either party, and in its discretion, may: (a) Appoint an attorney for the person; or (b) Award a reasonable attorneys' fee and costs to the prevailing party to the same extent allowed in KRS 344.660, or both. The state shall not be liable in any event for fees and costs. (2) The state through the commission's attorney or the Attorney General shall maintain any civil action on behalf of the complainant or aggrieved party. (3) Where the parties to an alleged discriminatory housing practice have elected an administrative determination rather than a civil adjudication, the commission staff attorney shall represent the complainant or aggrieved party before the commission.
Kentucky Revised Statute § 344.675 establishes that in housing discrimination proceedings—whether administrative or civil—the decision-making body (a commission or court) has discretion to appoint an attorney for a party and to award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to whichever side prevails, to the same extent permitted under KRS 344.660. The state itself, however, cannot be held liable for those fees and costs. Additionally, when a complainant pursues an administrative route rather than a civil lawsuit, a commission staff attorney represents the complainant or aggrieved party before the commission, and the state's attorneys may maintain civil actions on behalf of complainants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.675, a landlord or property manager who becomes a party to a housing discrimination proceeding should be aware that the commission or court may award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party. Operators who maintain thorough documentation of their fair-housing policies and practices are generally better positioned to demonstrate compliance if a complaint is filed. Because fee awards are discretionary and tied to the outcome of the proceeding, property managers typically work with legal counsel familiar with Kentucky fair-housing law when responding to a KRS 344.640 or 344.645 complaint.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.675 provides important protections for people who believe they have experienced discriminatory housing practices: a commission or court may appoint an attorney on their behalf and, if they prevail, may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs. When a complainant chooses the administrative path rather than a civil lawsuit, a commission staff attorney is available to represent them before the commission at no direct cost to the complainant. Tenants who believe their rights have been violated may consider contacting the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, a local tenant-rights organization, or an attorney to understand which avenue—administrative or civil—may be available to them under this provision.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation