West Virginia Lockouts and utility shutoffs

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in West Virginia?

West Virginia has no statute that expressly bans lockouts or utility shutoffs (W. Va. Code ch. 37, arts. 6 and 6A and ch. 55, art. 3A searched); removal of a tenant goes through a court petition under § 55-3A-1. The Attorney General's renters' guide says self-help evictions such as lockouts, utility shutoffs or seizing property are unlawful.

Verified Source: W. Va. Code ch. 37, arts. 6 and 6A; see § 55-3A-1 · last checked 2026-10-23