ryancdossey1/2026-landlord-vs-tenant-state-rankings-index huggingface dataset:
Missouri (MO) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4 out of 5 — Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 441

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 441
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $50-100 filing; affordable overall
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 2-4 weeks typical; very efficient process
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: No notice required for nonpayment before filing; immediate in rent-and-possession cases
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~0.93% effective; varies by county; St. Louis City highest
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous; color of title reduces to 5 years
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 2 months' rent cap; 30-day return (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion
Montana (MT) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5 — Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Montana Code Annotated Title 70, Chapter 24-25

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Montana Code Annotated Title 70
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide (MCA § 7-24-4543)
Regulatory burdens:
score: 4
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $120-250 filing and service
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 3-5 weeks typical
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 3-day for nonpayment; 14-day for lease violations (MCA § 70-24-422)
Property tax:
score: 4
details: ~0.74% effective; moderate
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 5 years with color of title + taxes; 10 years otherwise
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: No statutory cap; 30-day return (10 if no deductions) (MCA § 70-25-202)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion
Nebraska (NE) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 76, Article 14

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 76, Article 14
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $47 filing County Court; modest fees
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 2-4 weeks for nonpayment; streamlined process
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 3-day for nonpayment; 14-30 day for lease violations (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1431)
Property tax:
score: 1
details: ~1.63% effective; among highest in nation
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 1 month's rent cap (no pets) or 1.25 months (with pets); 14-day return
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord sets terms
Nevada (NV) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 118A

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 118A
Rent control:
score: 3
details: No statewide program; AB 486 added protections against late-fee penalties
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $71-225 filing depending on court; ~$50-100 service
Eviction timelines:
score: 3
details: 3-6 weeks; Clark County (Las Vegas) tends to be on longer end
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 7-day for nonpayment (NRS § 40.2512); 5-day for certain violations
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.53% effective; among lowest due to tax caps
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 15 years continuous (NRS § 11.070); 5 years with color of title + taxes
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 3 months' rent cap; 30-day return (NRS § 118A.242)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: 5% of rent cap after 3-day grace period (AB 486)
New Hampshire (NH) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: New Hampshire Revised Statutes Chapter 540

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: New Hampshire Revised Statutes Chapter 540
Rent control:
score: 4
details: No statewide program; some local regulations in manufactured housing communities
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $120 filing; modest overall
Eviction timelines:
score: 3
details: 3-5 weeks for nonpayment; longer if contested
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 7-day for nonpayment; 30-day for lease expiration (RSA 540:2-3)
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~2.09% effective; among highest in nation (no sales/income tax offset)
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 20 years continuous
Security deposits:
score: 2
details: 1 month's rent or $100 (whichever greater); 30-day return (RSA 540-A:7)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No statutory cap; must be in lease
New Jersey (NJ) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 1.8 out of 5 — Strongly Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: New Jersey Statutes Title 2A:18-61

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 2
details: New Jersey Statutes Title 2A:18-61
Rent control:
score: 1
details: Many municipalities have rent control; varies widely by city
Regulatory burdens:
score: 2
Eviction costs:
score: 2
details: $50 filing; but attorney fees and process make it expensive overall
Eviction timelines:
score: 2
details: 6-12 weeks; among slowest; Anti-Eviction Act protections
Notice periods:
score: 2
details: 30-day for most causes; Anti-Eviction Act requires just cause (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1)
Property tax:
score: 1
details: ~2.23% effective; highest in nation
Adverse possession:
score: 3
details: 30 years continuous; among longest
Security deposits:
score: 1
details: 1.5 months' rent cap; 30-day return; interest-bearing account (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19)
Late fees:
score: 2
details: No statutory cap but courts strictly scrutinize; 5-day grace period
New Mexico (NM) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: New Mexico Statutes Chapter 47, Article 8

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: New Mexico Statutes Chapter 47, Article 8
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; no preemption on record
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $76 filing Metropolitan Court; $132 District Court
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 2-4 weeks for nonpayment; relatively fast
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 3-day for nonpayment; 7-day for lease violations (NMSA § 47-8-33)
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.67% effective; among lower rates
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous; strict requirements
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: 1 month's rent cap (unfurnished); 30-day return (NMSA § 47-8-18)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: 10% of rent cap; must specify in lease
New York (NY) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 2.8 out of 5 — Somewhat Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: New York Real Property Law and Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 2
details: NY Real Property Law and RPAPL
Rent control:
score: 2
details: NYC has strict rent stabilization; HSTPA (2019) strengthened tenant protections statewide
Regulatory burdens:
score: 4
Eviction costs:
score: 2
details: $45 filing Housing Court; $70-80 Supreme Court; attorney fees substantial
Eviction timelines:
score: 2
details: 8-16 weeks typical; NYC can take months; among slowest in nation
Notice periods:
score: 2
details: 14-day for nonpayment; 30-90 day for no-cause depending on tenancy length (RPL § 226-c)
Property tax:
score: 2
details: ~1.62% effective statewide; varies enormously by county
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous (RPAPL § 501-551)
Security deposits:
score: 2
details: 1 month's rent cap statewide (HSTPA 2019); 14-day return
Late fees:
score: 3
details: $50 or 5% of rent (whichever is less); 5-day grace period
North Carolina (NC) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4 out of 5 — Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 42

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 42
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $96 filing Small Claims; $150 District Court
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 2-4 weeks; among faster processes
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 10-day for nonpayment; immediate for certain violations (N.C.G.S. § 42-3)
Property tax:
score: 4
details: ~0.77% effective; moderate
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 20 years continuous; 7 years with color of title
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: 1.5 months (weekly) or 2 months (monthly); 30-day return (N.C.G.S. § 42-51)
Late fees:
score: 2
details: $15 or 5% of rent (whichever greater) (N.C.G.S. § 42-46)
North Dakota (ND) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.6 out of 5 — Strongly Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 47-16

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 4
details: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 47-16
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; no local authority
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 5
details: $80 filing; very modest overall (ND Courts)
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 1-3 weeks; among fastest in nation
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 3-day for nonpayment; immediate for certain violations (NDCC § 47-32-01)
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.94% effective; moderate; oil-producing counties may vary
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 20 years continuous; 10 years with color of title + taxes
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: 1 month's rent cap (2 months if deemed higher risk); 30-day return (NDCC § 47-16-07.1)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion
Ohio (OH) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide (ORC § 5321.02)
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $118 filing Municipal Court; ~$30-50 service
Eviction timelines:
score: 3
details: 3-6 weeks; varies by county; Franklin County tends faster
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 3-day for nonpayment; 30-day for lease violations (ORC § 1923.04)
Property tax:
score: 2
details: ~1.59% effective; above average; Cuyahoga County among highest
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 21 years continuous; among longest
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: No statutory cap; 30-day return with itemized list (ORC § 5321.16)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion
Oklahoma (OK) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.2 out of 5 — Strongly Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Oklahoma Statutes Title 41

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Oklahoma Statutes Title 41
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; no local authority
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $58 filing Small Claims; $181 District Court
Eviction timelines:
score: 5
details: 1-3 weeks; among fastest in nation; 'forcible entry and detainer'
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 5-day for nonpayment (immediate if lease allows); 15-day for lease violations (41 O.S. § 131)
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~0.87% effective; moderate
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 15 years continuous
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap on amount; 45-day return (41 O.S. § 115)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion; typically set in lease
Oregon (OR) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 2.1 out of 5 — Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 1
details: Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90
Rent control:
score: 1
details: SB 608 (2019): 7% + CPI annual cap; first statewide rent control in US; exemptions for new buildings
Regulatory burdens:
score: 4
Eviction costs:
score: 2
details: $88 filing Circuit Court; $50-100 service; higher overall with attorney
Eviction timelines:
score: 2
details: 4-8 weeks; tenant protections extend process; 90-day for no-cause
Notice periods:
score: 3
details: 10-day for nonpayment (with grace period); 30-day for lease violations; 90-day for no-cause (ORS § 90.394)
Property tax:
score: 4
details: ~0.87% effective; Measure 50 caps assessed value growth at 3%/year
Adverse possession:
score: 3
details: 10 years continuous
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap but must be reasonable; 31-day return (ORS § 90.300)
Late fees:
score: 1
details: Capped at specified percentage; 4-day grace period; reasonable test (ORS § 90.260)
Pennsylvania (PA) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.5 out of 5 — Balanced / Somewhat Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: Pennsylvania Statutes Title 68

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Pennsylvania Statutes Title 68
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No statewide program; Philadelphia has some rent assistance programs
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $50-100 filing Magisterial District Court; $200+ Court of Common Pleas
Eviction timelines:
score: 2
details: 4-8 weeks; Philadelphia can take 2-3 months; Diversion Program delays
Notice periods:
score: 3
details: 10-day for nonpayment; 15-30 day for lease violations depending on lease term
Property tax:
score: 2
details: ~1.49% effective; varies enormously; Philadelphia and Allegheny County among highest
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 21 years continuous; among longest
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 2 months first year; 1 month after; 30-day return (68 Pa.C.S. § 250.512)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; must be in lease; courts may scrutinize
Rhode Island (RI) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 2.9 out of 5 — Somewhat Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: Rhode Island General Laws Title 34, Chapter 18

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 2
details: Rhode Island General Laws Title 34, Chapter 18
Rent control:
score: 1
details: Some local rent control ordinances; no statewide preemption
Regulatory burdens:
score: 3
Eviction costs:
score: 2
details: $60-115 filing District Court; modest fees
Eviction timelines:
score: 2
details: 4-8 weeks; can extend with tenant protections
Notice periods:
score: 3
details: 5-day for nonpayment; 20-day for lease violations; 30-day for no-cause (R.I.G.L. § 34-18-36)
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~1.40% effective; moderate to high
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 1 month's rent cap; 20-day return (R.I.G.L. § 34-18-19)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; must be reasonable
South Carolina (SC) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.3 out of 5 — Strongly Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: South Carolina Code Title 27, Chapter 40

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: South Carolina Code Title 27, Chapter 40
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $40-80 filing Magistrate Court; very affordable
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 2-4 weeks; among faster in nation
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 5-day for nonpayment; 14-day for lease violations (S.C. Code § 27-40-710)
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.55% effective; among lowest; 4% owner-occupied vs 6% non-owner-occupied assessment
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous; strict requirements
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: No statutory cap; 30-day return (S.C. Code § 27-40-410)
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion
South Dakota (SD) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.3 out of 5 — Strongly Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: South Dakota Codified Laws Title 43, Chapter 32

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: South Dakota Codified Laws Title 43, Chapter 32
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; no local authority
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $70-95 filing; very modest
Eviction timelines:
score: 5
details: 1-3 weeks; among fastest in nation; 3-day forced-entry process
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 3-day for nonpayment; immediate for certain violations (SDCL § 21-16-1)
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~1.22% effective; moderate; no state income tax offset
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 20 years continuous; 10 years with color of title + taxes
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 1 month's rent cap; 14-day return (SDCL § 43-32-24); 30 days in some cases
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion
Tennessee (TN) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Tennessee Code Title 66, Chapter 28

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Tennessee Code Title 66, Chapter 28
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide (Tenn. Code § 66-35-102)
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $130-180 filing; moderate overall
Eviction timelines:
score: 3
details: 3-6 weeks; varies by county; Davidson County (Nashville) tends slower
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 14-day for nonpayment; 14-day for lease violations (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505)
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.56% effective; among lowest in nation
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 7 years with color of title; 20 years without
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: No statutory cap; no specific return timeline in statute (varying interpretations)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: 10% of rent or $30 (whichever greater) if more than 5 days late (Tenn. Code § 66-28-201(d))
Texas (TX) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Texas Property Code Title 8, Chapter 92

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Texas Property Code Title 8, Chapter 92
Rent control:
score: 5
details: Preempted statewide (Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902)
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $46-54 filing Justice Court; $50-100 service; writ of possession ~$150
Eviction timelines:
score: 3
details: 3-6 weeks; Justice Court process relatively fast; appeals can extend
Notice periods:
score: 4
details: 3-day for nonpayment (can be shortened to 1 day in lease); 3-day for lease violations (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005)
Property tax:
score: 2
details: ~1.68% effective; among highest in nation (no state income tax)
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 10 years continuous; 3-5 years with color of title + taxes
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: No statutory cap; 30-day return (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: 12% for single-family; 10% for multi-family; after reasonable grace period (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019)
Utah (UT) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 4.4 out of 5 — Strongly Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Utah Code Title 57, Chapter 17

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 4
details: Utah Code Title 57, Chapter 17
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; preempted statewide (Utah Code § 57-20-1)
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $45 filing Small Claims; $75 Justice Court; $360 District Court
Eviction timelines:
score: 5
details: 1-3 weeks; among fastest; 'unlawful detainer' process very efficient
Notice periods:
score: 5
details: 3-day for nonpayment; 3-day for lease violations (Utah Code § 78B-6-802)
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.58% effective; among lowest
Adverse possession:
score: 3
details: 7 years with color of title + taxes; 20 years without
Security deposits:
score: 4
details: No statutory cap; 30-day return (Utah Code § 57-17-3)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; must be in lease and reasonable
Vermont (VT) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 2.3 out of 5 — Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: Vermont Statutes Title 9, Chapter 137

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 2
details: Vermont Statutes Title 9, Chapter 137
Rent control:
score: 1
details: Burlington enacted rent stabilization (2023); first in state; statewide efforts ongoing
Regulatory burdens:
score: 3
Eviction costs:
score: 2
details: $295 filing; above average; tenant defenses extend costs
Eviction timelines:
score: 2
details: 6-12 weeks; among slowest; mandatory 14-day right to cure
Notice periods:
score: 2
details: 14-day for nonpayment; 30-day for lease violations; 60-90 day for no-cause (9 V.S.A. § 4467)
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~1.83% effective; among highest; varies by town
Adverse possession:
score: 3
details: 15 years continuous
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; 14-day return (9 V.S.A. § 4461)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; must be reasonable; courts scrutinize
Virginia (VA) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5 — Balanced / Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
Rent control:
score: 3
details: No statewide program; some local tenant protections in Arlington/Alexandria
Regulatory burdens:
score: 4
Eviction costs:
score: 3
details: $51 filing General District Court; $85+ summons; moderate overall
Eviction timelines:
score: 3
details: 3-6 weeks; varies by county; Northern Virginia courts tend slower
Notice periods:
score: 3
details: 5-day for nonpayment; 21-30 day for lease violations (Va. Code § 55.1-1245)
Property tax:
score: 4
details: ~0.82% effective; varies significantly; Northern Virginia higher
Adverse possession:
score: 4
details: 15 years continuous; 5 years with color of title + taxes
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: 2 months' rent cap; 45-day return (Va. Code § 55.1-1226)
Late fees:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; must be in lease; usually 5-10%
Washington (WA) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 1.9 out of 5 — Strongly Tenant-Friendly
Primary statute: Washington Revised Code Chapter 59.18

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 1
details: Washington Revised Code Chapter 59.18
Rent control:
score: 2
details: No statewide program; local efforts in Seattle/Tacoma; HB 1389 attempted statewide cap
Regulatory burdens:
score: 2
Eviction costs:
score: 1
details: $45-54 filing Superior Court; but process costs substantial with attorney
Eviction timelines:
score: 1
details: 8-16 weeks; among slowest; mandatory 14-day right to cure + court delays
Notice periods:
score: 1
details: 14-day for nonpayment; 10-day for lease violations; 60-day for no-cause (RCW § 59.18.650)
Property tax:
score: 3
details: ~0.84% effective; varies by county; King County higher
Adverse possession:
score: 2
details: 10 years continuous; 7 years with color of title + taxes
Security deposits:
score: 2
details: No statutory cap; 21-day return (RCW § 59.18.280); deposit must be in WA institution
Late fees:
score: 2
details: No statutory cap but must be reasonable; case law scrutinizes
West Virginia (WV) — Landlord vs. Tenant Law Profile
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5 — Somewhat Landlord-Friendly
Primary statute: WV Code § 37-6-5

Formal landlord-tenant act:
score: 3
details: WV Code § 37-6-5
Rent control:
score: 5
details: No programs; no local authority
Regulatory burdens:
score: 5
Eviction costs:
score: 4
details: $300-600 typical; includes filing and service
Eviction timelines:
score: 4
details: 3-6 weeks; 'rocket dockets' in some counties; can proceed straight to filing
Notice periods:
score: 3
details: Immediate for nonpayment (no cure period in some cases); 10 business days for lease violations
Property tax:
score: 5
details: ~0.57% effective; among lowest
Adverse possession:
score: 3
details: 10 years continuous; strict requirements
Security deposits:
score: 3
details: No statutory cap; 60-day return; basic rules only
Late fees:
score: 5
details: No cap; landlord discretion; one of only states where landlords can proceed straight to filing