This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to streamline the eviction process for landlords seeking to remove tenants from residential rental properties. It requires that upon filing a verified petition for eviction, the court must schedule a hearing within five to ten judicial days. This change aims to expedite the resolution of eviction cases, ensuring that landlords can regain possession of their properties in a timely manner.

Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding the petition process by specifying that the owner or agent must be identified as the petitioner and clarifies the requirements for notifying the tenant of the hearing. The previous requirement for the petitioner to request a hearing time from the court has been removed, simplifying the process and ensuring that tenants are promptly informed of their rights and the timeline for submitting any defenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 55-3A-1