LOCAL RULES

West Virginia rental inspection report requirements

Your West Virginia rental inspection report has 2 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The written itemization within 60 days (or 45 after a new tenant moves in)
  • The tenant's accurate forwarding address

ReportDraft Landlord from $9 a month. 14-day free trial with your first report and up to 5 template downloads. Card required, nothing charged today, cancel anytime. Need just one? One rental inspection report for $19, no subscription.

West Virginia gives landlords a notice period rather than a fixed day count: the deposit and a written itemization of deductions go to the tenant within 60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in if that comes first. Here is each rule with a link to the West Virginia Code, and how walkthrough notes become the report behind the itemization.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionWEST VIRGINIA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 87 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Charleston, WV
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
FREE PREVIEW OF THESE NOTES
79%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

2 West Virginia rules on your checklist, including the written itemization within 60 days (or 45 after a new tenant moves in).

Still to add

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Charleston, WV
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
Start free and draft yours

14 days free, nothing to pay today. After your first report, your name, license and company details fill in by themselves. Or preview your own notes first, no sign-up.

What West Virginia requires

  • The deposit, minus any deductions, goes to the tenant with a written itemization of the damages or charges within the notice period: 60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever is shorterW. Va. Code s. 37-6A-2 (a) ยท W. Va. Code s. 37-6A-1 (7) (notice period)
  • The deposit may cover only rent due with reasonable late charges in the agreement, damages from the tenant's breach less reasonable wear and tear, unpaid utilities the landlord paid for the tenant, reasonable costs of removing and storing the tenant's belongings, and other damages or charges in the rental agreement, such as a contractor's repair of tenant damageW. Va. Code s. 37-6A-2 (b)
  • Where damage exceeds the deposit and needs an outside contractor, the landlord tells the tenant in writing within the notice period and then has 15 more days to itemize the damage and repair costW. Va. Code s. 37-6A-2 (c)
  • The deposit and notices go by personal delivery or by mail to the tenant's last known or forwarding address; the tenant is responsible for giving an accurate address, and returned mail is held six months for collectionW. Va. Code s. 37-6A-2 (g)
  • The landlord keeps itemized records of each tenant's deductions for one year after the tenancy ends, and lets the tenant inspect or have a copy within 72 hours of a written requestW. Va. Code s. 37-6A-3

What the deposit can cover

The deposit may cover rent due with reasonable late charges set in the agreement, damages from the tenant's breach less reasonable wear and tear, unpaid utilities the landlord paid for the tenant, reasonable costs of removing and storing belongings the tenant left, and other damages or charges in the rental agreement, such as a contractor's repair of damage the tenant caused.

The notice period and the itemization

The deposit, minus deductions, goes to the tenant with a written itemization within 60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant occupies the unit, whichever is shorter. Where damage exceeds the deposit and needs an outside contractor, a written notice within that period buys 15 more days to itemize the damage and the repair cost.

Delivery is in person or by mail to the tenant's last known or forwarding address, and the tenant is responsible for giving an accurate one. The landlord keeps itemized records of deductions for one year and lets the tenant inspect or copy them within 72 hours of a written request.

From walkthrough notes to a finished West Virginia report

At move-out, note each room, every item of damage and anything left behind. ReportDraft writes it up room by room with each damaged item described for the itemization, keeps reasonable wear and tear apart, and leaves lines for the landlord and the tenant to sign. Kept on file, the report is part of the one-year record of deductions.

Common mistakes

  • Missing the shorter of 60 days after the tenancy ends or 45 days after a new tenant moves in.
  • Deducting for reasonable wear and tear.
  • Waiting on a contractor without sending the written notice that extends the time by 15 days.
  • Discarding deduction records before a year has passed.
  • Ignoring a tenant's written request to see the deduction records.

Sources

Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Next review due January 10, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.