Landlord-tenant law

West Virginia Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for West Virginia.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
2 months' rent (per Hemlane; WV Code § 37-6A-3 does not specify a clear numerical cap — some sources say no cap)
W. Va. Code § 37-6A-3
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
45 days (may extend to 60 days if itemizing damages)
W. Va. Code § 37-6A-3(d)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
Immediate (West Virginia allows landlords to initiate eviction proceedings without a mandatory pre-filing cure notice)
W. Va. Code § 55-3A-1
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
W. Va. Code § 37-6-5
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period
West Virginia specific notes

West Virginia's residential landlord-tenant statutes are relatively sparse. The deposit cap claim of 2 months is disputed — consult § 37-6A-3 directly. Like Missouri, WV allows landlords to proceed directly to eviction court without a mandatory pay-or-quit notice, though most landlords issue one as a matter of practice. Charleston does not have additional local landlord-tenant ordinances.

FAQ

Common West Virginia landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in West Virginia?+
2 months' rent (per Hemlane; WV Code § 37-6A-3 does not specify a clear numerical cap — some sources say no cap). Governed by W. Va. Code § 37-6A-3. Deposit must be returned within 45 days (may extend to 60 days if itemizing damages) after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in West Virginia for non-payment of rent?+
Immediate (West Virginia allows landlords to initiate eviction proceedings without a mandatory pre-filing cure notice). Per W. Va. Code § 55-3A-1. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in West Virginia?+
30 days. Per W. Va. Code § 37-6-5. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in West Virginia?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Grace period: No statutory grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for West Virginia

Compare

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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