W. Va. Code § 46A-6 § 46A-6-109
The use of plain language in consumer transactions.
Operative Text
(a) Every written agreement entered into by a consumer after April 1, one thousand nine hundred eighty-two, for the purchase or lease of goods or services in consumer transactions, whether for the rental of space to be occupied for residential purposes or for the sale of goods or services for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes, must: (1) Be written in a clear and coherent manner, using words with common and everyday meanings; (2) use type of an easily readable size and ink which adequately contrasts with the paper; and (3) be appropriately organized and captioned by its various sections to be easily understood. (b) A violation of the provisions of this section shall not render any agreement void or voidable: Provided, That if a consumer at the time of entering into a consumer transaction or anytime thereafter, requests of the other party thereto that the agreement evidencing the consumer transaction be changed or written in a manner to conform with this section, and that request is refused, then a consumer shall have a cause of action to require a consumer agreement not in conformity with the provisions of this section to be reformed. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of words or phrases specifically required or specifically permitted by state or federal law, rule or regulation. This section shall not be construed to preclude a consumer from asserting a claim or defense which would have been available to the consumer if this provision were not in effect. A consumer may not waive the rights provided by this section, and any attempted waiver shall be void.
West Virginia Code § 46A-6-109 requires that written consumer agreements — including residential leases — entered into after April 1, 1982, be drafted in plain, everyday language, use readable type that contrasts clearly with the page, and be organized with clear section headings. A violation of this rule does not automatically void or invalidate the agreement. However, if a consumer asks the other party to rewrite or revise the agreement to comply and that request is refused, the consumer gains the right to seek a court order reforming the document. Consumers cannot waive these rights, and any clause purporting to waive them is itself void.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 46A-6-109, property owners and managers who use written residential lease agreements in West Virginia generally ensure that those documents are drafted in plain, everyday language, set in legible type with adequate contrast, and organized with clear section headings. When a tenant requests that a lease be revised to meet these plain-language standards, a compliant operator takes that request seriously rather than refusing it outright, since a refusal can expose the landlord to a court action to reform the agreement. Reviewing lease templates periodically for readability and organization is a common practice among operators seeking to stay aligned with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 46A-6-109 of the West Virginia Code gives residential tenants the right to a lease written in plain, everyday language, with readable type and clear section headings. If a landlord refuses a request to rewrite or revise a lease that does not meet these standards, the law provides a cause of action to have the agreement reformed by a court — and this right cannot be signed away. Tenants who believe their lease falls short of these requirements may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available under this provision.
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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