W. Va. Code §§ 55-3B-1 to 55-3B-7 § 55-3B-1
Definitions.
Operative Text
For the purposes of this article, unless expressly stated otherwise: (a) "Factory-built home" has the same meaning given to that term in West Virginia code section two, article fifteen, chapter thirty-seven of this code. (b) "Factory-built home site" means a parcel of land provided for the placement of a factory-built home for occupancy as a residence whether or not in a factory-built home community. A factory-built home site is not residential rental property for the purposes of article three-a of this chapter. (c) "Good cause" means: (1) The tenant is in arrears in the payment of periodic payments or other charges related to the tenancy; (2) The tenant has breached a material term of a written rental agreement or repeatedly breached other terms of a written rental agreement including those agreements required in section three, article fifteen, chapter thirty-seven of this code; (3) Where there is no written agreement, or where the written agreement does not cover the subject matter of a warranty or leasehold covenant, the tenant breached a material term of a warranty or leasehold covenant or repeatedly breached other terms of a warranty of leasehold covenant; (4) The tenant has deliberately or negligently damaged the property or knowingly permitted another person to do so. (d) "Section" means a unit of a factory-built home which is transported and delivered as a whole and which contains some or all of the indoor living area.
West Virginia Code § 55-3B-1 establishes the foundational definitions that govern the entire Article 3B framework for wrongful occupation of factory-built home sites. Notably, a factory-built home site — whether inside a community or on a standalone parcel — is explicitly carved out from the residential rental property rules found in Article 3A of Chapter 55. The provision also defines 'good cause' for purposes of this article, which includes situations such as unpaid rent, material breaches of a written or implied rental agreement, and deliberate or negligent property damage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of factory-built home sites in West Virginia should be aware that § 55-3B-1 places their properties under a distinct legal framework separate from standard residential rental law. Because 'good cause' under this article includes arrears, material or repeated breaches of a written agreement, and property damage, operators generally maintain clear written rental agreements that address payment terms, site rules, and tenant responsibilities. Keeping thorough documentation of any alleged breaches or damage is a practice consistent with operating under this article's definitions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 55-3B-1, tenants occupying a factory-built home site in West Virginia have their tenancy governed by Article 3B rather than the residential rental property rules of Article 3A — a distinction that affects what legal remedies and procedures apply to their situation. The definition of 'good cause' in this section outlines the categories of conduct — such as nonpayment, material lease breaches, or property damage — that can be cited in proceedings under this article. Tenants who want to understand how these definitions affect their rights may find it helpful to review the full Article 3B framework or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with West Virginia manufactured housing law.
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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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation