Themis MBE Real Property Practice Exam

Waste by a life tenant happens when someone with current possession fails to preserve the property for the future holder. Neglect or failure to maintain—like not repairing, not paying taxes or insurance, or letting the property deteriorate—fits this idea and is called permissive waste. The life tenant’s duty is to preserve the property's value, so letting it fall into disrepair reduces value for the remainderperson and can trigger an action to recover the loss. By contrast, affirmative waste is actively harming the property, and ameliorative waste involves changes that increase value (often requiring consent or balancing interests).