W. Va. Code §§ 37-15-1 to 37-15-10 § 37-15-6
Termination of tenancy.
Operative Text
(a) The tenancy for a factory-built home site upon which is placed a factory-built home that is comprised of one section, other than a camping or travel trailer, may not be terminated until twelve months after the home is placed on the site except for good cause. The tenancy for a factory-built home site on which is placed a factory-built home that is comprised of two or more sections may not be terminated until five years after the home has been placed on the site except for good cause. (b) The tenancy for a factory-built home, other then a camping or travel trailer, may be terminated at the time set forth in this subsection. (1) Either party may terminate a rental agreement at the end of its stated term or at the end of the time period set out in subsection (a) of this section, whichever is later, for any reason, unless the rental agreement states that reasons for termination must exist. (2) Either party may terminate a tenancy which has continued after its stated term and longer than the period set out in subsection (a) of this section for no reason, unless the rental agreement states that reasons must exist. (3) A tenancy that has not reached the end of its stated term or has not existed for the time periods stated in subsection (a) of this section may be terminated only for good cause. (c) A tenancy governed by subdivision (1) or (2), subsection (b) of this section may be terminated only by written notice at least three months before the termination date of the tenancy. A tenancy governed by subdivision (3), subsection (a) of this section may be terminated only by a written notice at least three months before the termination date of the tenancy. The rental agreement may specify a period of notice in excess of the periods of time set out in this subsection. (d) A landlord may not cause the eviction of a tenant by willfully interrupting gas, electricity, water or any other essential service, or by removal of the factory-built home from the factory-built home site, or by any other willful self-help measure. (e) The landlord shall set forth in a notice of termination the reason relied upon for the termination with specific facts to permit determination of the date, place, witnesses and circumstances concerning that reason. (f) Unless the landlord is changing the use of the site, if a tenancy is ended by the landlord at the later of its stated term or at the end of the time period set out in subsection (a) of this section with no good cause, the owner may not prevent the sale of the factory-built home in place to another tenant who meets the standards and restrictions in effect for other new tenants prior to the termination of the tenancy.
West Virginia Code § 37-15-6 establishes minimum tenancy durations and termination procedures for factory-built home sites. A single-section home site cannot be terminated without good cause for at least twelve months after placement, while a multi-section home site carries a five-year minimum protection period. After those periods expire, either party may end the tenancy for any reason, but must provide at least three months' written notice, and landlords are prohibited from using self-help measures—such as cutting off utilities or removing the home—to force a tenant out.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 37-15-6, compliant operators track the placement date of each factory-built home to determine whether the applicable minimum tenancy period (twelve months for single-section homes, five years for multi-section homes) has elapsed before initiating any termination. When termination is permitted, operators provide written notice at least three months in advance and include in that notice the specific reason, date, place, witnesses, and circumstances supporting the termination. Operators also refrain from interrupting essential services or taking any other self-help action to remove a tenant, and if ending a tenancy without good cause at the end of its term, they generally allow the tenant to sell the home in place to a qualified incoming tenant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 37-15-6 provides meaningful stability protections for tenants in factory-built home sites, including a minimum period during which a landlord cannot terminate the tenancy without good cause—twelve months for single-section homes and five years for multi-section homes. Tenants who receive a termination notice may examine whether the notice was delivered in writing at least three months in advance and whether it contains the specific facts required by the statute, as deficiencies in these requirements may be raised as a defense. Tenants who believe a landlord has unlawfully cut off utilities, removed their home, or otherwise used self-help eviction tactics may consider contacting a West Virginia tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand available remedies under this provision.
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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