W. Va. Code §§ 37-15-1 to 37-15-10 § 37-15-3a
Rules and regulations.
Operative Text
(a) An owner, from time to time, may adopt rules or regulations concerning the tenant's use and occupancy of the premises. A rule or regulation is enforceable against the tenant if the rule or regulation: (1) Is reasonably related to the purpose for which it is adopted; (2) Applies to all tenants in the factory-built home rental community in a fair manner; (3) Is sufficiently explicit in its prohibition, direction, or limitation of the tenant's conduct to fairly inform the tenant of what the tenant must or must not do to comply; (4) Is not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the landlord; and (5) The tenant has been given written notice of the rule at the time the tenant enters into the rental agreement, or when it is adopted by the owner. (b) A rule or regulation adopted by the owner after the tenant has entered into a rental agreement that results in a substantial modification of the tenant's original rental agreement does not become effective until the current rental agreement expires and a new agreement is made in writing.
West Virginia Code § 37-15-3a governs how owners of factory-built home rental communities (such as mobile home parks) may establish rules and regulations for tenants. To be enforceable, a rule must be reasonably related to its stated purpose, applied fairly to all tenants, clearly written so tenants understand what is required or prohibited, and not designed to help the owner avoid their own legal obligations. Tenants must receive written notice of any rule either at the time they sign their rental agreement or when the rule is newly adopted. Importantly, any rule adopted after a tenant has already signed a lease that substantially changes the terms of that agreement cannot take effect until the existing lease ends and a new written agreement is made.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 37-15-3a, operators of factory-built home rental communities in West Virginia generally maintain enforceable rules by ensuring each rule has a clear, legitimate purpose and is written in plain, specific language that residents can readily understand. Compliant operators apply rules uniformly across all tenants in the community rather than selectively, and they deliver written notice of any new or existing rules at lease signing or promptly upon adoption. When a proposed rule would substantially modify the terms of a current lease, operators typically wait until that lease term concludes and a new written agreement is executed before the rule takes effect.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 37-15-3a of the West Virginia Code provides tenants in factory-built home rental communities with meaningful protections against arbitrary or one-sided park rules. A rule that was never provided to you in writing, that singles you out unfairly, that is vague about what conduct is required, or that substantially changes your existing lease terms before that lease expires may not be legally enforceable against you. Tenants who believe a rule fails to meet these standards may raise the issue as a defense in any proceeding based on that rule, consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with West Virginia manufactured housing law, or seek guidance from a legal aid provider.
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.
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