A West Virginia rental application form is essential for landlords and property owners to screen applicants effectively and gather the necessary information before offering a lease agreement. Our sample template can assist you in asking the right questions and complying with West Virginia landlord and tenant law requirements.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Application Fee Limits – No limits
- Security Deposit – § 37-6A-2 – No set limit on security deposits landlord charges.
State Law
Below you can find important information for tenants in West Virginia regarding application fees, security deposits, and additional protected classes.
For Tenants
Many West Virginia applicants have questions about application fees and security deposits.
Application Fee: In West Virginia, there is no limit to the application fee that a landlord can charge. Property owners should charge a reasonable amount to cover the cost of the application screening process and avoid charging prohibitive application fees that would make it hard for someone to apply.
Security Deposit: As per §37-6A-2, landlords are also allowed to ask for a security deposit, and there is no limit on that security deposit. Cities and counties may place their limitations on security deposits within their jurisdictions.
Pet Deposits: No laws govern pet deposits in West Virginia.
Additional Protected Classes
In West Virginia, landlords are also prohibited from asking whether the applicant is blind. If the landlord asks, they could be deemed discriminatory.
Furthermore, landlords must obtain the applicant’s consent before running a credit check or background check on the applicant. The Federal Credit Reporting Act governs this step.
Resources For Landlords
- State Sex Offender Registry: In West Virginia, landlords can access the State Sex Offender Registry to be aware of any registered sex offenders applying as tenants.
- West Virginia Attorney General Renters’ Rights: The West Virginia Attorney General provides information on renters’ rights, helping landlords and tenants understand their legal obligations and protections under state law.
Sample
To make the process easier, we have included a sample West Virginia rental application form that you can use to screen your applicants.
