Create a West Virginia Eviction Notice with our customizable template!
If a tenant violates their lease agreement in some way, the landlord or the property manager may issue a West Virginia eviction notice. Generally called a notice to quit, a West Virginia eviction notice is a written notice that is used when the tenant fails to comply with the lease terms. It signals the start of the West Virginia eviction process if the tenant does not comply with the terms of the lease within a certain number of days (curable violation).
Eviction cases are officially known as unlawful detainers. An eviction notice, as well as eviction proceedings for the residential property, must comply with West Virginia law. Landlords and property managers should seek legal advice.
If a landlord chooses to issue a West Virginia eviction notice, it should include the following basic components:
West Virginia differs from most of the states because there is no real notice required for non-payment of rent, non-compliance with the lease or rental agreement, or for illegal or harmful activity. What this means is that landlords may immediately begin eviction procedures against the tenant if they violate the lease in any way (§ 55-3A-1).
When a tenant or a landlord wants to end a week-to-week tenancy, they can issue a one week notice to the other party according to § 37-6-5.
If there is a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord or the tenant can, for any reason, issue the other a 30-day notice to end the tenancy according to § 37-6-5.
Although landlords may immediately file a lawsuit against the tenant for eviction, they must get a court order before they can change out the locks, shut off the utilities, or remove the property of the tenant from the premises. Additionally, landlords may not evict a tenant for reporting code violations or uninhabitable conditions to the housing authorities or evict the tenant because of their actual or perceived nationality, skin color, race, gender, disability, religion, or family status. If a landlord engages in an illegal eviction method, they may be sued by the tenant. The court could award financial damages to the tenant and fine the landlord for breaking state or federal law.
The Attorney General has a comprehensive and easy to understand the list of tenant rights on its website. There is no state law that says how much time a landlord must give you to pay back rent or otherwise correct a violation. If you receive a notice, read it carefully. Contact your landlord if you have questions.
If you think that you’ve been victimized by an illegal eviction, contact a landlord-tenant lawyer to determine if you have a valid legal claim. You can also reach out to legal aid or a legal clinic being offered by a local law school to learn about what you can do to help yourself during the process.
If you’re a West Virginia landlord, it is prudent to make an appointment with a landlord-tenant lawyer to learn about the eviction process as well as local housing laws. This can help protect you and your investment.
Download Word Template
Download PDF
Create Custom West Virginia Eviction Notice
Word
PDF
