West Virginia

Land sold for back taxes

Delinquent land is certified to the State Auditor by October 31 and sold at the Auditor's auction. The owner can redeem at any time until a tax deed is issued. The buyer has 120 days from the sale to start the notice-to-redeem process, or loses all benefit of the purchase.

What to do: Winning the auction does not get you the land: there is a notice process and a window in which the owner can pay. Put the 120-day deadline in your calendar the day you bid.

Source: W. Va. Code §11A-3-2; W. Va. Code §11A-3-52; W. Va. Code §11A-3-56

Septic before you build

No sewer system may be installed without a written permit. A permit is invalid if construction has not started within a year, and it is not transferable: it becomes invalid when ownership changes unless a transfer is applied for and approved.

What to do: A seller's "approved perc" or permit is not yours. Ask for the transfer to be approved before closing, or budget for a new evaluation.

Source: W. Va. Code R. §64-9-4

Being taxed as a farm

To be valued as a farm, a tract of five acres or more must produce at least $1,000 a year in agricultural products; a smaller one must produce and sell at least $500. It must be farmed by the owner or a bona fide tenant, and the owner must apply every year, after June 30 and by September 1.

What to do: Ask whether the seller applied this year. If they did not, the tax bill you are being quoted will not be the one you get. If you mean to keep the rate, the first deadline is yours.

Source: W. Va. Code R. §110-1A-2

Old well records

We could not find a statewide public search of private water well records in West Virginia.

What to do: Ask the county health department, and the neighbours. The people either side usually know how deep they had to go and what it cost.