West Virginia Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
West Virginia rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No state rent control law. No enacted statewide preemption of local rent control was found in the code. W. Va. Code § 37-6-9 (current text contains no rent-control provision)
The rules in West Virginia
| Rent control / increase limits | No state rent control law. No enacted statewide preemption of local rent control was found in the code. Preemption bills were introduced (2024 SB 497, 2025 SB 168 amending § 37-6-9, 2025 HB 3435), but the current § 37-6-9 text contains no rent-control prohibition. Enactment not found. |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No statutory cap No late-fee section appears in the landlord-tenant articles reviewed. Source: W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6 |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
West Virginia vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | No state rent control law. No enacted statewide preemption of local rent control was found in the code. W. Va. Code § 37-6-9 (current text contains no rent-control provision) | No statutory cap W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6 |
| Kentucky | Preempted: only the General Assembly may enact rent control on private property; local governments may not. No statewide cap. KRS 65.875 | No statutory cap or grace period. KRS Chapter 383 (no late-fee provision) |
| Maryland | No statewide rent control or statewide cap on rent increases. Local jurisdictions may adopt rent regulation (statewide preemption not found). Md. Office of the Attorney General, 'Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disputes' (Rev. Feb. 2025); DHCD Tenants' Bill of Rights (eff. Oct 1, 2026) | Capped at 5% of the amount of unpaid rent for the rental period. For weekly rent: no more than $3 per week, with a total of no more than $12 per month. No statutory grace period. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3) |
| Ohio | Local rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(A) | No statutory cap No statute; Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14 (unconscionable clauses) |
| Pennsylvania | No statewide rent control or rent-increase cap, and no statute that expressly bans local rent control. No statute authorizes it either, and home-rule municipalities may not set duties or requirements for businesses unless a statewide statute expressly allows it, so a local rent cap would face a serious legal challenge. 53 Pa.C.S. § 2962(c)(2), (e), (f) (Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law) | No statutory cap. None in statute |
| Virginia | No statewide rent control or rent-increase cap, and no Virginia statute authorizes local rent control. Va. Code Title 55.1, Ch. 12 (no cap); 2026 HB 278 / SB 355 | Only if provided in the written rental agreement; capped at the lesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due. Where there is no written lease, rent is late if not paid by the 5th of the month. Va. Code 55.1-1204(E), (C) |
More West Virginia rental law
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- Landlord Entry Rules in West Virginia
- West Virginia Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Squatters' Rights in West Virginia
- West Virginia Rental Fee Rules
- West Virginia Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- West Virginia Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- West Virginia Landlord Selling the House
- West Virginia Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- West Virginia Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All West Virginia landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in West Virginia
Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
West Virginia Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in West Virginia?
No state rent control law. No enacted statewide preemption of local rent control was found in the code. (W. Va. Code § 37-6-9 (current text contains no rent-control provision))
Is there a limit on late fees in West Virginia?
No statutory cap (W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.