The West Virginia rental agreements are legal contracts written between the landlord and tenant who wishes to use a real property. These documents state the amount of the rent, when the rent is due, and other terms associated with the use of the property.
The West Virginia residential lease agreement (“rental agreement”) legally binds a lessor (“landlord”) and lessee (“tenant”) to a rental contract for residential property. After the lease is signed and the first month’s rent plus a security deposit is paid, the tenant will be given access to the premises. Create an official West…
The West Virginia month-to-month rental agreement is used to legally establish the agreement between a landlord and a tenant for a period of one month. The tenant pays a monthly fee in exchange for the use of the landlord’s property. When the month ends, the contract automatically renews until canceled. A month-to-month…
The West Virginia rental application form is a document that some landlords use to decide who will rent their properties. The landlord can see past rental history, criminal behavior, and more before agreeing to the lease so they can find the most viable tenant for the property. Applicable Law in West Virginia…
The West Virginia sublease agreement is a contract that allows the initial tenant ("sublessor") of a rental to rent (“sublet”) all (or a portion) of the property to a new tenant (“subtenant”). With the landlord’s permission, the subtenant must make periodic payments towards the rental amount of the initial tenant’s lease. A…
The West Virginia roommate agreement (“room rental agreement”) is a contract between the occupants of shared rental property (“co-tenants”). Each co-tenant’s financial obligation is stated, as well as any rules associated with living on the property. Each co-tenant must sign the contract per West Virginia state law. This room rental agreement will…
The West Virginia commercial lease agreement is a contract that allows a business to use commercial space in exchange for rent. Retail, office, and industrial spaces all use these types of leases. A commercial lease agreement outlines the terms and conditions associated with renting the property. West Virginia Commercial Landlord/ Tenant Law…
West Virginia Required Lease Disclosures
- Lead Based Paint Disclosure (required for some) – National lead paint laws require West Virginia landlords to provide written disclosure of any known lead paint hazards in a rental property built before 1978, including an EPA pamphlet and a separate lead based paint disclosure form that warns tenants of the dangers poses by lead paints and has them acknowledge that they understand the risk before moving in.
To learn more about required disclosures in West Virginia, click here.
West Virginia Landlord Tenant Laws
- Warranty of Habitability – In West Virginia, standing legal precedent has held that all landlords must supply adequate plumbing, electric outlets, heating, air-conditioning, and more to their tenants. Furthermore, this precedent dictates that repairs to these amenities must occur in a “reasonable” timeframe. If they don’t, however, a West Virginia tenant does not have any means of legal recourse.
- Evictions – West Virginia does not maintain mandatory notice periods relating to any form of eviction. As a result, a tenant here may be evicted immediately for failing to pay rent, violating a lease term, or committing a crime.
- Security Deposits – West Virginia law does not currently limit the maximum amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit. This state’s laws do require those deposits to be returned within 60 days of a lease ending, though (45 days if a new tenant moves in immediately).
- Lease Termination – West Virginia tenants may terminate their month-to-month lease after issuing a notice of intent 1 month in advance. At the same time, a West Virginia tenant may also terminate their fixed-term lease early by applying for exception due to landlord harassment, unit uninhabitability, or active military duty.
- Rent Increases & Fees – West Virginia does not limit how often or by how much rent can be raised by a landlord. The state also does not require justification or notice to be issue when rent is raised. As for fees, almost any fee of any amount is permissible if it is an applicable lease. Only bounced check fees are limited by value ($25).
- Landlord Entry – By default, a West Virginia landlord may enter their tenant’s unit without permission or notice. Limits on this right of entry (including in emergency instances) must be made through a lease.
- Settling Legal Disputes – West Virginia’s small claims court will accept most landlord-tenant dispute cases valued at less than $5,000. However, because they operate as magistrate courts, not all of these state courts accept eviction cases.
To learn more about landlord tenant laws in West Virginia, click here.
