About WVATSA Guide To Housing in West Virginia
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
As a tenant, you are responsible for:
- Paying the rent on time
- Basic housekeeping
- Avoiding harming the unit
- Complying with the rental agreement
You also have certain rights as a tenant:
- You have the right to live in decent housing at all times.
- Your landlord is required to maintain your housing in fit condition from the time you move in until the time you move out.
- You have the right to complain about unfit housing conditions to your landlord or to local government agencies, such as the Building Code Inspector, Fire Marshall, or County Health Department.
- Your landlord cannot evict you in retaliation for complaining about unfit housing conditions.
- You have the right to file a civil suit against your landlord to enforce your right to decent housing and to ask for money damages if your rights have been violated.
- Although it may best to be represented by a lawyer, you have the right to file a suit on your own without a lawyer.
- Your landlord must always go through the court to evict you against your will, even if you are behind on your rent.
- It is unlawful for your landlord to lock you out, shut off your utilities, refuse to make repairs, or do other things to evict you without going through court.
- It is unlawful for your landlord to seize and impound your personal property as a way of collecting back rent.
- It is unlawful for your landlord to enter your rental housing at any time whatsoever without your consent, or reasonable notice in advance, except for the purpose of making emergency repairs.
- If your landlord files a suit to evict you in magistrate court, you have the right to remove your case from magistrate court to circuit court.
- You have the right to file a counterclaim for money damages against your landlord if your rights have been violated.
- You have the right to have your case decided by a jury either in magistrate court or circuit court, but not both.
- If your case is decided in magistrate court and your disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal to circuit court within 20 days from the date the decision is made.
- It is unlawful for the landlord to refuse to return your damage or security deposit without just cause.
- If your landlord is trying to evict you for non-payment of rent, an eviction petition to magistrate court must be dismissed if you offer to pay the back rent and all court costs before the hearing.
- If you have a written lease or rental agreement, or if you live in subsidized housing, you may have many other rights and protections.
If you believe your rights as a tenant have been violated, you should consult a lawyer for assistance in enforcing your rights. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can seek representation from Legal Aid of West Virginia, which serves low income persons in all counties. You can call Legal Aid at 800-642-8279.
Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:
- Race or color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
The Fair Housing Act covers most privately owned housing, as well as federally-assisted housing. In some circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with less than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
If you or someone associated with you:
- Has a physical or mental disability
- Has a record of a disability or
- Is regarded as having such a disability
Your landlord may not:
- Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas at your expense, if necessary for a person with a disability to use the housing.
- Refuse to make reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for a person with a disability to use the housing.
If you think your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint. See the Complaint section of this manual for how to file a complaint or call/e-mail:
WV Human Rights Commission
888-676-5546
wvhrc@wvhrc.state.wv.us
Section 8
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market for:- Low-income families
- Elderly
- Individuals with disabilities
Housing assistance is provided to the individual or family and participants are able to find their own housing, including single family homes, townhouses and apartments.
Eligibility is determined by the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) based on:
- Total yearly income
- Family size
- U.S. citizenship
If you are found eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list if you cannot be helped immediately. When your name tops the waiting list you will be given a Section 8 voucher.
To apply for Section 8 please contact your local PHA. The PHA's are listed in the back of this manual.
Section 504
Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It protects people with disabilities from discrimination in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance.
If you are a person with a disability and are otherwise qualified to participate in a program receiving HUD's assistance, such as public housing and some privately-owned housing, the agencies responsible for these programs (owners, in the case of privately-owned housing) must make a reasonable accommodation so that you are able to enjoy the full benefits and privileges of the program.
You are protected by Section 504 if you:
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Have a record of an impairment
- Are regarding as having an impairment
HUD Programs covered by Section 504
- Low-income housing - Section 8
- Section 202 or Section 811 Housing
- Community development program
- Programs for the homeless
- Fair Housing Assistance Program
If you think you rights have been violated, you may file a complaint. Please check the Complaint Section of this manual for how to file a complaint.
