What is a constructive eviction?

Constructive eviction occurs when a landlord's failure to provide a habitable living environment forces the tenant to leave the property. In this scenario, the landlord may be negligent in maintaining essential services or addressing significant maintenance issues, such as plumbing, heating, or safety hazards. When the conditions reach a point where the tenant can no longer reasonably continue to live there, they may choose to vacate the premises. This act of leaving, under such circumstances, can be legally classified as a constructive eviction, as the tenant is effectively "evicted" though no formal eviction process has taken place.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately depict constructive eviction. When a tenant vacates for personal reasons, breaks their lease, or when eviction procedures are not properly followed, these situations do not stem from a landlord's failure to maintain the property or create an uninhabitable living situation. Thus, these scenarios do not qualify as constructive eviction and are treated differently under the law.