If a group of local landlords have their way, renters who damage property may end up in prison.
Jerry Kopyar, president of the Upper Ohio Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Landlord Association. said Senate Bill 163 has been written, but has stalled within the West Virginia legislature.
"The bill criminalizes destruction of property by renters," Kopyar said. "If it is passed, persons who cause between $300 and $1,000 damage to a dwelling could be charged with a misdemeanor calling for up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Damages over $1,000 would be considered a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000."
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Finding their properties in this condition is a major concern of members of the Upper Ohio Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Landlord Association. The group is interested in getting laws passed that would criminalize this type of activity.
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He said one focus of UOVLA is to lobby state lawmakers to bring SB 163 into law.
"It's written, but it has stalled somewhere in the Senate," Kopyar said. "We want to find out where it is stalled and get it moving."
Kopyar's comments came Sunday during UOVLA's first membership held at the Wheeling Island Community Shelter on Wheeling Island.
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The Upper Ohio Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Landlord Association meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the New Life Methodist Church, located at the corner of Ohio and South Broadway streets on Wheeling Island.
He said WVLA's goal is to help landlords deal with landlord/tenant issues and to pursue legislation that provides fairness in taxation and representation.
According to Kopyar, members can network with investors, landlords and property managers to learn from their experiences. They can also learn about legal responsibilities of owning and managing rental property and attend monthly meetings to hears speakers discuss subjects of interest to members.
UOVLA meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the New Life Methodist Church located at the corner of Ohio and South Broadway streets on Wheeling Island.
Also at Sunday's event was Mark Roberts, UOVLA's membership chairman, who said the group had 40 members prior to Sunday, but membership could double as a result of the membership drive.
"There about 60 new faces here today," Roberts said. "I would not be surprised if our membership doubles."
Roberts said UOVLA's exposure helps gain new members.
He said "a lot of people don't know about us. When they find out, they become very interested."
According to Roberts, membership is not limited to West Virginia landlords.
More information is available at 304-547-5596, 304-233-0618 or 740-695-3712.