Buying a mobile home in West Virginia

West Virginia's Mobile Home Parks act (W. Va. Code Chapter 37, Article 15) gives a buyer a signed written agreement, a copy of the law, and freedom to choose vendors. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone buying should consider consulting a licensed attorney in West Virginia.

What the statute says

Under W. Va. Code §37-15-3(a), the rental "shall be governed by a written agreement ... dated and signed by all parties ... prior to commencement of tenancy," and "a copy of the signed and dated written agreement and a copy of this article shall be given by the landlord to the tenant within seven days." The agreement must contain "the terms of the tenancy and the rent," the park rules, "the language of the provisions of this article," a description of the improvements and maintenance each side provides, and a list of services and the fees for them (§37-15-3(b)). Rules must be reasonable, applied fairly, and disclosed (§37-15-3a).

Section 37-15-5(c) protects vendor choice, and §37-15-3(f) requires a new owner who keeps the home on the site to enter a written agreement if they meet the prior agreement's standards.

How it works in general

A West Virginia buyer who plans to keep a home in the park is entitled to a signed written agreement and, within seven days, a copy of the Mobile Home Parks act itself — so the resident has the law in hand. The agreement must spell out the rent, the rules, the services and their fees, and the maintenance responsibilities. The buyer is free to choose the vendors for the home and any goods or services, though the park can set reasonable standards for the home's style, size, or quality. When buying a home already on a site, the buyer signs a new agreement with the park, provided they meet the same standards the prior agreement required. The home is HUD-built and DMV-titled. Reviewing the agreement, the rules, the services and fees, and the title are the key steps before closing.

Common scenarios

General examples West Virginia buyers commonly encounter:

• A buyer wants the rules and law up front. The park must provide the signed agreement and a copy of the Article within seven days (§37-15-3(a)).
• A park tries to force the buyer to use its vendors. Vendor choice is protected (§37-15-5(c)).
• A buyer takes over a home on a site. They sign a new agreement if they meet the prior standards (§37-15-3(f)).

Other authorities that may apply

The Mobile Home Parks act (§§37-15-3, 37-15-3a, 37-15-5) governs the agreement, rules, and vendor choice; the deposit follows West Virginia's Residential Rental Security Deposits Act (§37-6A). The home is DMV-titled (Chapter 17A) and HUD-built. Federal lending rules and the Fair Housing Act can apply. The signed agreement, the rules, and the certificate of title are the core documents to review.