Last updated: April 2026
West Virginia has no rent control. The state's landlord-tenant law is limited — there is no specific security deposit return timeline in statute, no comprehensive habitability code, and few formal tenant remedies. Your lease terms and local housing codes are your main protections.
Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.
Even without rent control, West Virginia law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:
West Virginia has no specific statute requiring landlords to return security deposits within a set timeframe. Your lease should specify terms. You may need to pursue small claims court if a deposit is improperly withheld.
Month-to-month tenancies require notice equal to one rental period (typically 30 days) for either party to terminate (W. Va. Code § 37-6-5).
West Virginia recognizes an implied warranty of habitability under common law. If your landlord refuses to make essential repairs, you may have remedies in court. Contact local code enforcement for housing code violations.
Landlords must provide written notice (3 days for nonpayment of rent) and then file for eviction in magistrate court. Self-help eviction is prohibited (W. Va. Code § 55-3A-1).
West Virginia has limited statutory retaliation protections. Document all communications and contact legal aid if you believe your landlord is retaliating for a repair complaint or code report.
These organizations offer free or low-cost help to West Virginia renters:
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