Charleston has no dedicated tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenants must rely on WV Code 37-6-30 anti-retaliation provisions, common-law claims like nuisance and trespass, and federal Fair Housing Act protections to address landlord harassment.
Unlike Los Angeles or San Francisco, Charleston has not enacted a tenant anti-harassment ordinance defining and penalizing landlord misconduct such as repeated entry without notice, threats, false eviction filings, or strategic neglect. Tenants who experience harassment must rely on WV Code 37-6-30 (retaliation), 37-6-26 (proper notice for entry), tort claims for trespass or intentional infliction of emotional distress, and federal Fair Housing Act if harassment correlates with protected-class status. Magistrate court is the typical venue for damages claims. Tenants can also report code violations and unsafe conditions to Charleston Building Commission.
Landlord harassment may yield damages under common law, statutory penalties under WV 37-6-30, and federal fair housing remedies including injunctive relief and civil penalties for protected-class harassment.
Charleston, WV
West Virginia Senate Bill 167, enacted in 2017, prohibits sanctuary policies. Charleston cannot adopt rules barring police cooperation with federal immigrati...
Charleston, WV
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Charleston, WV
Charleston levies a business and occupation gross receipts tax under Chapter 10 of the City Code, with rates that vary by business classification such as ret...
Charleston, WV
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Charleston, WV
Charleston hotel guests pay a 6 percent city hotel occupancy tax under W. Va. Code Chapter 7 plus a 6 percent state consumer sales tax, totaling roughly 12 p...
Charleston, WV
Charleston enforces loud party rules through the city noise ordinance and disorderly conduct provisions in Chapter 24, with stronger response near East End r...
See how Charleston's tenant anti-harassment rules stack up against other locations.
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