Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 383 § 383.280
Actions for trespass, waste, rent or profits not barred
Operative Text
383.280 Actions for trespass, waste, rent or profits not barred. The proceedings under a writ of forcible entry or detainer shall not bar an action for trespass or waste or rent or mesne profits.
Kentucky Revised Statute § 383.280 establishes that pursuing a forcible entry or detainer (eviction) proceeding does not extinguish or prevent separate civil claims related to the same property. A landlord or property owner may still bring independent legal actions for trespass, waste (damage to the property), unpaid rent, or mesne profits (the value of use and occupation during a period of wrongful possession) even after or alongside an eviction case. The two types of legal proceedings are treated as distinct and do not merge into one another.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.280, property owners and managers should understand that filing or completing a forcible entry or detainer action does not resolve financial or property-damage claims against a former occupant. Operators who have suffered unpaid rent, property damage, or losses from unauthorized occupation generally preserve the right to pursue those claims in a separate civil action. Keeping thorough documentation of rent ledgers, move-out inspections, and any property damage supports the ability to bring such follow-on claims.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.280 means that even after an eviction proceeding concludes, a landlord may still file separate civil lawsuits seeking unpaid rent, compensation for property damage, or mesne profits. Tenants facing or who have faced a forcible entry or detainer action should be aware that the resolution of that eviction case does not necessarily settle all financial disputes with the landlord. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand what claims may remain open and what defenses or counterclaims might be available in any subsequent civil action.
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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