Balanced · Rank #25 of 51

West Virginia
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Q: Does West Virginia have rent control?

No, West Virginia does not have statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice.

Everything a landlord needs to know about West Virginia law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

WV Magistrate Courts →Eviction Guide

out of 10 · Balanced

📋

Notice Period

5 days

⏱️

Full Eviction

~30 days

💰

Deposit Max

2 months

🔑

Entry Notice

None req.

💳

Late Fee Cap

None

✅

Rent Control

Live Market Data · RentCast

West Virginia Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Apr 5, 2026

1 Bedroom

$723

2 Bedrooms

$955

3 Bedrooms

$1,400

YoY Trend

+6.7%

Days on Market

36d

Charleston N

25302

1BR$750

2BR$860

3BR$1,200

YoY

+13.3%

DOM

32.15d

Listings

14

Morgantown

26505

1BR$695

2BR$1,050

3BR$1,600

YoY

0%

DOM

40.69d

Listings

385

West Virginia Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in West Virginia

Serve Notice

5-day written notice for non-payment of rent. No special delivery method required by statute.

File Complaint

If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 5 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $60–$80.

Court Hearing

Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.

Judgment & Possession

If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.

ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE

Filing + Hearing (14d)

Judgment (7d)

Average total: 30 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

West Virginia security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰

Maximum Deposit

2 months

Per current statutes

📅

Return Deadline

14–45 days

After tenant vacates

📋

Itemization Required

Yes

Written itemization of deductions

📈

Interest Required

Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under West Virginia law

✅ Landlord Rights

→No rent control

→No entry notice required

→Fast eviction process

⚖️ Tenant Rights

→Basic habitability

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in West Virginia before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint

Rent Control Status

West Virginia rent increase and rent control laws

✅

No Rent Control in West Virginia

West Virginia has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

West Virginia Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in West Virginia?+

The average eviction timeline in West Virginia is 30 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 5 days. Filing fee is $60–$80.

What is the security deposit limit in West Virginia?+

In West Virginia, the security deposit maximum is 2 months. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.

Does West Virginia have rent control?+

No. West Virginia has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.

How much entry notice is required in West Virginia?+

West Virginia does not require advance notice before entering a rental unit by statute, though best practice is always to notify tenants.