Which statement about life estate waste is correct?

Which statement about life estate waste is correct?

• A. A life tenant may commit waste freely
• B. A life tenant may not commit waste
• C. A life tenant may commit waste if there is consent
• D. A life tenant may commit waste only on open lands

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that a life tenant has a duty not to commit waste. Even though they can possess and use the land during their life and may take rents or profits, they must preserve the property for the future interest holder (the remainderman). Any action that permanently diminishes the land’s value or harms its future use—destroying improvements, depleting natural resources without consent, or neglect that leads to deterioration—constitutes waste. Therefore, the statement that a life tenant may not commit waste is the correct one. The other options imply waste is allowed or conditionally allowed, which is not correct in the ordinary rule.

The key idea is that a life tenant has a duty not to commit waste. Even though they can possess and use the land during their life and may take rents or profits, they must preserve the property for the future interest holder (the remainderman). Any action that permanently diminishes the land’s value or harms its future use—destroying improvements, depleting natural resources without consent, or neglect that leads to deterioration—constitutes waste. Therefore, the statement that a life tenant may not commit waste is the correct one. The other options imply waste is allowed or conditionally allowed, which is not correct in the ordinary rule.