W. Va. Code §§ 37-15-1 to 37-15-10 § 37-15-1
Purpose and applicability.
Operative Text
The purpose of this article is to recognize the distinction between a house trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home and a modular home. While it is the intent of this article to include the different classifications of factory-built homes into a single category for the purposes of this article, it is also the intent of this article to acknowledge the differences between the various types of factory-built homes for other purposes. In addition, it is the purpose of this article to clarify the ambiguity and confusion related to the classification of factory-built homes as real or personal property, particularly relating to security interests. The provisions of this article apply to factory-built homes, as defined herein, which are held as personal property situated on real property owned by another in conjunction with a landlord/tenant relationship.
West Virginia Code § 37-15-1 establishes the scope and intent of the state's regulatory framework for factory-built homes, including house trailers, mobile homes, manufactured homes, and modular homes. The article groups these home types into a single category for its own purposes while still recognizing meaningful distinctions among them elsewhere in law. Critically, the article applies specifically to factory-built homes that are treated as personal property sitting on land owned by someone else under a landlord-tenant arrangement, and it aims to resolve longstanding confusion about whether such homes are classified as real or personal property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 37-15-1, operators of land-lease communities or mobile home parks in West Virginia should be aware that this article governs the relationship when a tenant owns a factory-built home but rents the underlying land. Compliant operators generally understand how the personal-property classification of the home affects security interests and title matters distinct from the real estate itself. Familiarity with the distinctions drawn in § 37-15-1 helps park owners and managers apply the correct legal framework when drafting leases or addressing financing questions related to homes on their property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 37-15-1 is relevant to tenants in West Virginia who own a factory-built home situated on land they rent from a landlord, as it establishes that this article's protections and rules apply to that specific arrangement. Understanding that your home may be classified as personal property rather than real property can affect your rights regarding security interests, financing, and how disputes are handled under state law. Tenants in this situation may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with West Virginia's manufactured-housing statutes to better understand how § 37-15-1 and the rest of Chapter 37, Article 15 apply to their circumstances.
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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