W. Va. Code §§ 16B-18-1 to 16B-18-21 § 16B-18-16
Interference, coercion, or intimidation; enforcement by civil action.
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by section §16B-18-4 of this code, §16B-18-5 of this code, §16B-18-6, of this code or §16B-18-7 of this code of this article.
West Virginia Code § 16B-18-16 makes it unlawful for anyone to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with a person because that person exercised a fair housing right, previously exercised such a right, or helped someone else exercise one. The protected rights referenced are those established in the surrounding sections of the West Virginia Fair Housing Act, covering areas such as the sale, rental, and financing of housing. This provision extends protection not only to those directly asserting fair housing rights but also to anyone who supports or encourages others in doing so.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under the West Virginia Fair Housing Act should be aware that § 16B-18-16 prohibits any conduct that could be construed as coercion, intimidation, threats, or interference directed at a person who has exercised or is exercising fair housing rights. Compliant operators generally avoid retaliatory actions — such as sudden lease non-renewals, rent increases, or hostile communications — that follow a tenant's fair housing complaint or inquiry. Maintaining consistent, documented, and non-retaliatory practices across all residents helps demonstrate that management decisions are based on legitimate, non-discriminatory factors.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 16B-18-16 of the West Virginia Fair Housing Act, tenants have the right to be free from coercion, intimidation, threats, or interference when exercising fair housing rights — and this protection extends to anyone who has helped or encouraged another person to assert those rights. If a tenant believes a landlord has retaliated or applied pressure in response to a fair housing complaint or inquiry, that conduct may itself constitute a separate violation of this provision. Tenants in this situation may consider documenting the behavior, contacting the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a housing attorney to understand available enforcement paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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