{"data":{"id":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-37-6-31","jurisdiction":"us-wv","citation":"W. Va. Code § 37-6-31","heading":"Exclusions from application of this article.","body":"(a) For purposes of this Article, “squatter” means a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not so entitled under a rental agreement or who is not authorized by the tenant to occupy that dwelling unit. “Squatter” does not include a tenant who holds over in a periodic tenancy as described in §37-6-5 of this code.\n(b) Occupancy by a squatter is not governed by the provisions of this article.\n(c) No Court of this state shall require the utilization of eviction, or a similar procedure such as those found under the provisions of this chapter, by an owner in any instance involving the removal of a squatter from possession of a property, and such removal shall not be unduly hindered.","path":["CHAPTER 37. REAL PROPERTY.","ARTICLE 6. LANDLORD AND TENANT."],"source_url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/37-6-31/","current_through":"as of 2026-08-03; contains at least the enactments of the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:29:09Z","sha256":"009232c84681b255fb0e6ce2a4fe5ae643746e5ff0b6bd51035f307bc855bf2d","source_id":"us-wv","stale":true,"prev":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-37-6-30","next":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-37-6a-1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}