West Virginia has NO mandatory notice period before filing eviction for nonpayment (§55-3A-1) - landlord can file immediately after rent is late. However, the tenant can stop proceedings by paying all unpaid rent, interest, and costs before the trial date (§37-6-23). Hearing must be scheduled between 5-10 judicial days after filing (§55-3A-1(b)). Tenant has 5 days from receiving summons to file a written answer. Appeals stay the eviction automatically upon filing with bond; poverty exception waives bond but still stays eviction (§55-3A-3(g)). No specific statute governing landlord entry or retaliation for private landlords.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Magistrate Court. Pay the filing fee (~$50).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about West Virginia eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified West Virginia attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Mason County occupies the mid-Ohio Valley at one of the most historically significant river confluences in the region — the meeting point of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers at Point Pleasant. The county seat of Point Pleasant, with a population of approximately 4,000, carries a rich historical identity: it was the site of the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774, one of the opening engagements of the American Revolutionary era in the western frontier, and more recently it became nationally known as the home of the Mothman legend following the Silver Bridge collapse of 1967. Both draw tourism and have given Point Pleasant a cultural identity that transcends its modest size.
The Mason County economy rests on several pillars: Appalachian Power’s Philip Sporn Plant (a coal-fired power facility on the Ohio River that has been a significant employer, though subject to evolving energy policy), county government and services, healthcare at Pleasant Valley Hospital, and agriculture in the county’s river bottomlands. The county has a population of approximately 26,000 spread across Point Pleasant and smaller communities including Mason, New Haven, Leon, and Letart. Interstate access is limited — the county is off the major highway grid — which constrains both commuter demand and economic diversification.
The Rental Market
Mason County rents are modest. One-bedroom units in Point Pleasant typically rent for $525–$700 per month. Two-bedroom homes or apartments run approximately $650–$900. The market is small and primarily serves local workers, county employees, and healthcare staff. The tourism economy around the Mothman Museum and annual Mothman Festival generates some short-term lodging demand but does not materially affect the residential rental market. Some riverfront properties have been converted to vacation rental uses, particularly in the New Haven and Letart areas along the Ohio River corridor.
Filing an Eviction in Mason County Magistrate Court
Evictions in Mason County are filed at the Magistrate Court, located at the Mason County Courthouse, 200 Sixth Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. Magistrate Clerk Karen Chambers can be reached at (304) 675-6840; fax (304) 675-5949. Two magistrates serve the county: Magistrate Melanie L. Sang at (304) 675-6636 and a second magistrate reachable through the main clerk line. The Circuit Clerk’s office is at (304) 675-4400.
Evictions proceed using Form MLTPTWR (Petition for Summary Relief for Wrongful Occupation of Residential Rental Property), available at courtswv.gov. No pre-filing notice is legally required for nonpayment; a written 5-day courtesy notice is standard practice. For lease violations, a written cure notice of 10 to 30 days before filing is advisable. After filing, the Mason County Sheriff serves the summons; the tenant has five days to respond. The Writ of Possession is executed by the Sheriff after judgment for the landlord. West Virginia imposes no cap on security deposits; deposits must be returned with written itemization within 60 days of lease end or 45 days of new occupancy. Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days’ written notice. Self-help eviction is illegal. No rent control; no county rental licensing. For assistance, contact Karen Chambers at (304) 675-6840. Legal Aid of West Virginia: 1-866-255-4370.
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for West Virginia
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⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Not legal advice. West Virginia landlord-tenant law is governed by WV Code Chapter 37 and Chapter 55. Evictions filed in Mason County Magistrate Court: 200 Sixth Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550 — (304) 675-6840. Legal Aid of West Virginia: 1-866-255-4370. WV State Bar Lawyer Referral: (304) 558-7991. Last updated: March 2026.
