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.
Ritchie County occupies the rolling hills of northwestern West Virginia between the Ohio River plain and the Allegheny foothills, a small agricultural and energy county of approximately 9,500 residents whose county seat of Harrisville — population roughly 1,700 — is a quiet courthouse town on the North Fork of the Hughes River. Ritchie County holds a notable place in American energy history: the region was among the first areas in the United States where commercial petroleum production began in the mid-19th century, predating the more famous Pennsylvania oil rush. The county’s landscape is still dotted with the infrastructure of that heritage, including antique pump jacks, pipeline rights-of-way, and the cultural memory of the oil and gas industry that shaped the region for generations.
Today Ritchie County’s economy is anchored by county government and services, agriculture, and a modest continuation of oil and gas production. The Marcellus and Utica shale formations that have brought new energy investment to neighboring counties have had some impact on Ritchie County as well, with midstream infrastructure and occasional drilling activity adding sporadic workforce demand. Pennsboro and Ellenboro are the county’s other significant communities, each with small residential populations and limited commercial activity. The county’s proximity to Parkersburg (Wood County), accessible via WV-47 and US-50, gives residents reasonable access to that larger employment and services market.
Rental Market Conditions
Ritchie County’s rental market is among the smallest and most modestly priced in West Virginia. One-bedroom units in Harrisville and the surrounding communities run approximately $400–$550 per month; two-bedroom homes or apartments typically rent for $525–$700. The market is almost entirely local in character, serving county employees, agricultural workers, retirees, and the modest private sector workforce of the area. Occasional energy sector workers seeking temporary housing during active drilling or pipeline phases represent a small but sometimes significant short-term demand spike — landlords who can accommodate month-to-month or short-term professional tenants may find that segment worthwhile during active periods.
Ritchie County is one of the WV counties where informal rental arrangements are still common. A significant portion of rental activity involves personal relationships, handshake agreements, and properties passed between family and community members without formal leases. For any landlord operating in this environment, written leases — however simple — are strongly preferable. They establish the rent amount, due date, and basic terms that form the foundation of any Magistrate Court proceeding if a dispute arises. Courts apply the same WV Code Chapter 37 framework regardless of whether a relationship began formally or informally.
Filing an Eviction in Ritchie County Magistrate Court
Evictions in Ritchie County are filed at the Magistrate Court, located at the Ritchie County Judicial Complex, 109 North Street, Suite 102, Harrisville, WV 26362. Magistrate Clerk Lora Nutt can be reached at (304) 643-4409; fax (304) 643-2311. Two magistrates serve the county: Magistrate Lorena Cantwell (304-643-2353) and Magistrate Leesa D. Snodgrass (304-643-2658); magistrates’ fax (304) 643-2098.
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 required for nonpayment. For lease violations, a written cure notice of 10 to 30 days before filing is advisable. After filing, the Ritchie 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, whichever is shorter. Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days’ written notice. Self-help eviction is illegal under WV Code 55-3A-3. No rent control; no county rental licensing. For court procedures, contact Lora Nutt at (304) 643-4409. Legal Aid of West Virginia: 1-866-255-4370. WV State Bar Lawyer Referral: (304) 558-7991.
🏛️ 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 Ritchie County Magistrate Court: 109 North Street, Suite 102, Harrisville, WV 26362 — (304) 643-4409. Legal Aid of West Virginia: 1-866-255-4370. WV State Bar Lawyer Referral: (304) 558-7991. Last updated: March 2026.
