Renter glossary
Constructive eviction
Page last updated: August 22, 2026 · How we source & update
Definition
When conditions become so bad that a tenant is effectively forced to move out, even without a formal eviction.
Why it matters to renters
It can, in some states, let a tenant end a lease and seek remedies — but the bar is high and the steps matter.
Example
Persistent uninhabitable conditions the landlord refuses to fix may support a constructive-eviction claim.