W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1 to 37-6A-6 § 37-6A-6
Application and effective date of this article.
Operative Text
(a) The provisions of this article shall apply to all residential rental premises or units used for dwelling purposes. (b) The provisions of this article do not apply to agreements for the payment of security deposits entered into prior to the effective date of this article.
West Virginia Code § 37-6A-6 establishes the scope of the state's residential security deposit rules: they cover all rental housing used as a dwelling, regardless of the type of unit or property. However, the article's requirements do not reach back to security deposit agreements that were already in place before the article took effect. In other words, only agreements formed on or after the effective date fall under these protections and obligations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 37-6A-6, property owners and managers operating any residential rental unit in West Virginia — whether a single-family home, apartment, or other dwelling — are generally subject to the full set of security deposit requirements in Article 6A. Compliant operators typically confirm whether a tenancy began before or after the article's effective date to determine which legal framework governs that deposit. Keeping clear records of lease execution dates helps establish which agreements fall within the article's coverage.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 37-6A-6 means that if your rental agreement was signed on or after the article's effective date, the protections in West Virginia's residential security deposit law apply to your tenancy. Tenants whose agreements predate the article's effective date may not be able to rely on Article 6A's specific provisions for their deposit. If you are uncertain whether your agreement falls within the article's scope, tenant-rights organizations in West Virginia can help you understand the general framework that may apply to your situation.
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.
Effective Timeline
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