W. Va. Code §§ 37-6-1 to 37-6-31 § 37-6-20
Relief against forfeiture.
Operative Text
Should the defendant, or other person for him not pay the rent in arrear, with interests and costs, nor file a bill in equity for relief against such forfeiture, within twelve months after execution executed, he shall be barred of all rights, in law or equity, to be restored to such lands or tenements.
West Virginia Code § 37-6-20 establishes a strict twelve-month deadline for a tenant (or someone acting on their behalf) to either pay all overdue rent, interest, and costs, or file an equitable court action seeking relief from a forfeiture of their tenancy. If neither step is taken within twelve months after a writ of execution has been carried out, the tenant permanently loses any legal or equitable right to reclaim the property. This provision functions as a hard cutoff that extinguishes all remaining claims to the premises once the window closes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 37-6-20, once a writ of execution has been executed, compliant operators generally track the twelve-month period carefully, as the passage of that window without tenant action legally extinguishes the tenant's right to reclaim the property. Landlords typically maintain clear records of the execution date, any payments received, and any court filings made by or on behalf of the tenant during that period. Understanding this timeline helps property owners manage their records and plan for the eventual resolution of a forfeiture proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 37-6-20 of the West Virginia Code gives a tenant — or someone acting on their behalf — up to twelve months after execution is carried out to either pay the rent in arrears along with interest and costs, or file an equitable court action seeking relief from the forfeiture. Failing to act within that window bars all future legal and equitable claims to the property. Tenants who believe they may be affected by a forfeiture proceeding may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand what options exist within this time-sensitive framework.
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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