United States · WV

Evicting a bad tenant in West Virginia costs ~$6,250.

That's the typical combined hit from filing fees, 1.3months of lost rent, property damage, legal costs, and turnover — per bad tenant. Here's the full breakdown and a calculator for your specific situation.

Filing fee

$80

Magistrate Court

Avg timeline

40 days

~6 weeks

Lost rent

$1,170

1.3 months at $900/mo

Property damage

$2,500

Beyond security deposit

Legal fees

$1,000

Attorney + court costs

Turnover

$1,500

Repairs, cleaning, re-listing

Most of that $6,250 is preventable with proper screening.

5 free screenings to start — no credit card required.

How West Virginia handles evictions

Wrongful occupation action.

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Adjust the inputs to model your specific situation in West Virginia.

Default: regional median

Filing → unit re-rented

Beyond security deposit

Court filing fee

$80

Lost rent during process

1.3 months at $900/mo

$1,170

Property damage

$2,500

Legal fees

$1,000

Turnover & re-listing

$1,500

Estimated total loss

$6,250

That's what one bad tenant typically costs a West Virginia landlord.

5 free screenings · no credit card required

Most of that loss is preventable.

Bad tenants almost always leave a paper trail — the problem is that most landlords don't check carefully. Here's what a proper screening catches before you sign the lease.

Fake pay stubs & inflated income

AI analysis catches font mismatches, math errors, and metadata red flags in uploaded income documents.

Identity that doesn't match

Cross-reference of public records and uploaded documents flags name, employer, or address inconsistencies the applicant didn't explain.

Former landlord reference gaps

Automated verification reaches out directly — applicants can't forward requests to a friend pretending to be their landlord.

West Virginia eviction cost FAQ

How much does it cost to evict someone in West Virginia?

A typical contested eviction in West Virginia costs around $6,250 all-in: a $80 filing fee, roughly 1.3 months of lost rent ($1,170 at a typical $900/mo), plus legal fees, property damage beyond the deposit, and turnover costs. Uncontested cases cost less.

How long does an eviction take in West Virginia?

About 40 days (~6 weeks) on average from notice to lockout. Wrongful occupation action.

How much is the eviction filing fee in West Virginia?

$80, filed with the Magistrate Court. Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.

What court handles evictions in West Virginia?

Evictions in West Virginia are handled by the Magistrate Court.

Sources & methodology

Filing fees and timelines reflect the Magistrate Court and public tribunal fee schedules; cost figures are estimates compiled from public court schedules, Eviction Lab, and state guides — actual costs vary by county, contest status, and market conditions.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.

West Virginia landlord-tenant laws

Deposit caps, late fees, entry notice, and required disclosures for West Virginia.

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The fix

$99 of screening vs $6,250 in losses.

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