The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. Section 383.580, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 30 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
Kentucky generally does not impose a statewide deposit cap, but the landlord usually has 30 days after termination and the tenant's forwarding address to send the refund notice, and the tenant should preserve the move-in and move-out inspection list because bad-faith withholding can trigger double-damages exposure.
This dispute type
Once the Kentucky deadline passes, the dispute stops being only about the deductions and becomes a deadline-compliance problem too. A landlord may still argue damage existed, but Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580 sets the clock for returning the balance and explaining any amount withheld.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: Landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion; bad faith may result in double damages plus attorney's fees