W. Va. Code §§ 16B-18-1 to 16B-18-21 § 16B-18-6
Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions.
Operative Text
(a) It is unlawful for any person or other entity whose business includes engaging in residential real estate-related transactions to discriminate against any person in making available such a transaction or in the terms or conditions of such a transaction because of race, color, religion, sex, blindness, disability, familial status, ancestry or national origin. (b) As used in this section, the term "residential real estate-related transaction" means any of the following: (1) The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: (A) For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or (B) secured by residential real estate; or (2) The selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property. (c) Nothing in this article prohibits a person engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real property to take into consideration factors other than race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, blindness, disability, or familial status.
West Virginia Code § 16B-18-6 prohibits businesses involved in residential real estate transactions — such as lenders, brokers, and appraisers — from treating people differently based on race, color, religion, sex, blindness, disability, familial status, ancestry, or national origin. This applies both to whether a transaction is made available at all and to the specific terms or conditions offered. The provision covers a broad range of activities, including home loans, financial assistance secured by real estate, property sales, brokerage services, and real estate appraisals. Appraisers, however, are permitted to consider legitimate, non-protected factors when valuing property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and entities engaged in residential real estate-related transactions — including lending, brokerage, and appraisal — are expected under § 16B-18-6 to apply consistent, non-discriminatory standards across all protected classes when deciding whether to offer a transaction and on what terms. Compliant businesses typically maintain documented, uniform criteria for evaluating applicants and transactions that do not reference race, color, religion, sex, blindness, disability, familial status, ancestry, or national origin. Training staff on fair housing obligations and periodically reviewing transaction data for disparate patterns are practices commonly associated with compliance under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under West Virginia Code § 16B-18-6, individuals have the right to access residential real estate transactions — such as mortgage loans, property purchases, and brokerage services — free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, blindness, disability, familial status, ancestry, or national origin. If someone believes they were denied a loan, offered worse terms, or treated differently in a real estate transaction for a protected reason, this provision may be relevant to their situation. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with a state or federal fair housing agency, raising the violation as a defense or claim in a legal proceeding, or reaching out to a tenant- or housing-rights organization for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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