The bill amends West Virginia's eviction proceedings by establishing new requirements for the scheduling of hearings and tenant responses. Specifically, it mandates that upon the filing of an eviction petition, the court must schedule a hearing within five to ten judicial days. Additionally, tenants are granted the right to file and serve a written defense to the eviction petition within five days of receiving notice of the petition.

These changes aim to streamline the eviction process while ensuring that tenants have a fair opportunity to respond to eviction claims. The bill emphasizes timely communication and procedural clarity, thereby enhancing the rights of tenants in residential rental situations.

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