W. Va. Code §§ 55-3C-1 to 55-3C-6 § 55-3C-1
Short title; findings.
Operative Text
(a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Stop Squatters Act”. (b). The Legislature finds that the right to exclude others from entering and the right to direct others to immediately vacate a person’s residential or commercial property are fundamental property rights.
West Virginia Code § 55-3C-1, the opening provision of the Stop Squatters Act, establishes the law's official short title and sets out the Legislature's foundational reasoning. It declares that the right to exclude others from one's property and the right to demand that unauthorized occupants immediately leave are considered fundamental property rights under West Virginia law. This section does not itself create specific duties or remedies but frames the policy basis for the rest of the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 55-3C-1, the West Virginia Legislature has formally recognized that property owners hold fundamental rights to exclude unauthorized occupants and to direct them to vacate residential or commercial property. This declaration of legislative intent signals that the broader Stop Squatters Act is designed to support those rights. Operators familiar with this foundational section are generally better positioned to understand the protections and procedures established elsewhere in the article.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 55-3C-1 of the Stop Squatters Act is a statement of legislative findings rather than a provision that directly grants or removes tenant rights. It articulates the state's policy position that property owners have fundamental rights to exclude and to demand vacatur, which sets the tone for the rest of the article. Anyone with questions about how this framing affects their occupancy status may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with West Virginia housing law.
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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