Your landlord must act within 60 days of termination, or within 45 days of a new tenant taking occupancy, whichever period is shorter under W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1 et seq.. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.
One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.
| Deadline to return / itemize | within 60 days of termination, or within 45 days of a new tenant taking occupancy, whichever period is shorter |
|---|---|
| Statute | W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1 et seq. — read the official text |
| Itemized deduction statement | Required if any portion is withheld |
| Exposure for wrongful withholding | Willful noncompliance can make the landlord liable for the unreturned deposit plus damages equal to one and a half times the amount wrongfully withheld. |
This is general legal information about W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1 et seq., not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.
Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $2,250.
Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1 et seq. and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.
Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.
A formal demand letter citing W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1 et seq., the 60-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.
Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.