Security Deposit Interest in West Virginia: No State Requirement (2026)
West Virginia does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits: W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Dep… Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o
Quick answer
No — West Virginia law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. West Virginia does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits: W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Deposits) requires the deposit minus itemized deductions to be delivered to the tenant at termination - the article contains no interest requirement and no deposit cap. The rule comes from W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Deposits). State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28
Calculator pre-loaded with this state:
What West Virginia law does — and does not — require
West Virginia has no statewide statute requiring interest on security deposits. West Virginia does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits: W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Deposits) requires the deposit minus itemized deductions to be delivered to the tenant at termination - the article contains no interest requirement and no deposit cap.
The statute that governs deposits in West Virginia, W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Deposits), covers how and when the deposit itself must be returned — it simply does not mandate interest on top.
How interest must be paid
Interest accrues as N/a. N/a - deposit (minus deductions) plus written itemization of damages/charges due to tenant upon termination within the applicable notice period; landlord holding deposit/notice must retain it 6 months if mailed item is returned undeliverable
Who the law applies to
All residential tenancies statewide (W. Va. Code Art. 6A applies at termination of tenancy); no interest obligation regardless of deposit size or tenancy length; deposit applied only to enumerated charges (rent due, damages less wear and tear, unpaid utilities, property removal/storage, contractually provided charges)
Cities in West Virginia that require interest
No local deposit-interest requirement found in general searches for Charleston/Morgantown area; WV rental law is minimal and governed at state level (WV Attorney General Consumer Protection Division handles landlord-tenant complaints but publishes no interest requirement).
States that do require deposit interest
West Virginia has no statewide requirement. If you are moving or own rentals across state lines, these states do — each rate is the statutory value verified on the state page:
| State | Statutory rate |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from |
| Ohio | 5% per annum |
| Maryland | greater of 1.5%/year or U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate (leases |
| Minnesota | 1% per annum |
| New York | Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing |
The statute behind it
| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Deposits) | | Official text | code.wvlegislature.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |
Cross-checked against: Legal Aid of West Virginia - Renters Rights West Virginia, Landlord Studio - West Virginia Landlord Tenant Laws (states interest not required).
Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.
FAQ
Does West Virginia require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
No. West Virginia law does not mandate interest; whatever the lease says governs. No local deposit-interest requirement found in general searches for Charleston/Morgantown area; WV rental law is minimal and governed at state level (WV Attorney General Consumer Protection Division handles landlord-tenant complaints but publishes no interest requirement).
How is deposit interest calculated in West Virginia?
West Virginia does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits: W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 (Article 6A, Residential Rental Security Deposits) requires the deposit minus itemized deductions to be delivered to the tenant at termination - the article contains no interest requirement and no deposit cap. The calculator at the top of this page reflects West Virginia's rules where a numeric value exists.
When do I get the interest?
N/a - deposit (minus deductions) plus written itemization of damages/charges due to tenant upon termination within the applicable notice period; landlord holding deposit/notice must retain it 6 months if mailed item is returned undeliverable
Can my lease require the landlord to pay interest anyway?
Yes — a lease can always give you more than state law requires, never less. If your West Virginia lease promises interest, that promise is enforceable as a contract even though no statute mandates it.
Independent second source · 2026-10-28Related guides
- All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
- Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
- Neighboring states: Florida · Georgia
This page is information, not legal advice — see the full disclaimer.