What defines Constructive Eviction?

Constructive eviction refers to a situation where a landlord's actions or inactions create conditions that make a rental property uninhabitable for the tenant. This can include issues such as lack of heat, water, or essential repairs that are the landlord's responsibility. Essentially, constructive eviction occurs when the landlord fails to maintain the property in a condition that is suitable for living, effectively forcing the tenant to vacate due to these intolerable conditions.

When tenants face such an environment, they have the right to leave without facing penalties under the lease, as the landlord has effectively breached their duty to provide a habitable living space. The focus is on the circumstances and the impact on the tenant's living conditions, confirming that the landlord’s failure to act has led to an environment where the tenant cannot safely or comfortably remain.

The other options highlight actions that do not fit the legal context of constructive eviction. For instance, failing to deliver keys is more about access rather than habitability, while legal proceedings initiated by tenants may arise from numerous situations that do not specifically indicate constructive eviction. A mutual agreement to dissolve the lease suggests a collaborative decision rather than a unilateral action prompted by adverse conditions.