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.
Harrison County is one of West Virginia’s larger and more economically significant counties, anchored by the Clarksburg metro area and home to what may be the most unusual major employer in the state: the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. The CJIS complex, located in Bridgeport, employs several thousand federal workers — many of them high-security-clearance agents, analysts, and support staff — making it the dominant force in the upper end of the Harrison County rental market. Understanding the FBI workforce is essential to understanding the local rental landscape.
Clarksburg, the county seat, has a population of approximately 15,000 and serves as the commercial and institutional center for north-central West Virginia. Bridgeport, a suburban city immediately north of Clarksburg on the I-79 corridor, is the preferred address for many CJIS employees and professionals — it has newer housing stock, stronger retail amenities, and somewhat higher rents than Clarksburg proper. WVU Medicine United Hospital, the regional healthcare anchor, provides a second major employment pillar. These two anchor employers — federal government and healthcare — give Harrison County a more resilient economic base than most WV counties of comparable size.
Rental Market Conditions
Harrison County rents are among the higher tier in West Virginia, though still substantially below national averages. In Bridgeport, one-bedroom units typically rent for $800–$1,050 per month; two-bedrooms run $1,000–$1,350. In Clarksburg, rents are generally 15 to 25 percent lower than Bridgeport for comparable units. The suburban and rural portions of the county — communities like Shinnston, Stonewood, Lumberport, and Nutter Fort — offer more affordable rentals and attract tenants who prioritize value over proximity to I-79 amenities.
The FBI/CJIS workforce tenant presents a distinctive profile. Federal employees typically have stable incomes, strong employment histories, and pass security clearance screening that is considerably more rigorous than a standard tenant background check. They also tend to be mobile — agency transfers and reassignments are common, and some CJIS workers are on temporary duty rotations rather than permanent assignment. Landlords serving this market should understand lease flexibility (or lack thereof) and consider how to handle early termination requests from federal employees subject to orders.
Fairmont State University and West Virginia University have campuses or educational facilities in the broader region, and Glenville State University’s influence extends to Harrison County employment. The Meadowbrook Mall, I-79 interchange commercial development, and county fairgrounds are additional activity anchors. The West Virginia State Fairgrounds are actually located in Lewisburg (Greenbrier County), but the Harrison County Fairgrounds hosts its own annual agricultural event that reflects the county’s mixed urban-rural character.
Filing an Eviction in Harrison County Magistrate Court
Evictions in Harrison County are filed at the Magistrate Court, located at Room 222, 306 Washington Avenue, Clarksburg, WV 26301. Magistrate Clerk Leslie J. Haning can be reached at (304) 624-8645; fax (304) 624-8740. Harrison County has five magistrates: Warren “Gizzy” Davis (304-624-8561), Frank A. DeMarco (304-624-8544), Kevin Renzelli (304-624-8564), Michael Weiss (304-624-8562), and Kimberly D. Wygal (304-624-8560). With five magistrates handling a county of 67,000 people, Harrison County’s Magistrate Court has a more active docket than smaller counties, but is still manageable for landlords who are prepared.
Evictions use Form MLTPTWR — the Petition for Summary Relief for Wrongful Occupation of Residential Rental Property — available at courtswv.gov. No pre-filing notice is required for nonpayment of rent under West Virginia law. For lease violations, issuing a written notice with a cure period of 10 to 30 days before filing is standard practice and creates a favorable documentation trail if the matter is contested. After filing, the Harrison County Sheriff serves the summons. The tenant has five days to respond in writing. Uncontested matters may resolve quickly; contested cases receive a hearing. The Writ of Possession, executed by the Sheriff, follows a judgment in the landlord’s favor. Typical timeline from filing to possession in Harrison County: two to four weeks for uncontested matters.
Security Deposits, Entry Rights, and Practical Management
West Virginia imposes no cap on security deposits. In Bridgeport, a deposit of one to two months’ rent is reasonable and appropriate given rent levels. The statutory return requirement is strict: within 60 days of lease termination, or 45 days of new tenant occupancy, whichever is shorter, with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Landlords who miss this deadline risk liability for the full deposit even where the deduction claim is legitimate. A thorough move-in documentation process — written inspection report, dated photographs, tenant signature — is essential for any deduction that might later be disputed.
Entry for repairs or inspections requires 24 hours’ written notice except genuine emergencies (WV Code 37-6-30). Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days’ written notice from either party to terminate (WV Code 37-6-5). Self-help eviction is illegal under WV Code 55-3A-3. West Virginia has no rent control. Harrison County has no residential rental licensing program. For questions about current filing procedures or court scheduling, contact Magistrate Clerk Leslie J. Haning at (304) 624-8645. Legal Aid of West Virginia statewide: 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 Harrison County Magistrate Court: 306 Washington Avenue, Room 222, Clarksburg, WV 26301 — (304) 624-8645. Legal Aid of West Virginia: 1-866-255-4370. WV State Bar Lawyer Referral: (304) 558-7991. Last updated: March 2026.
