Article 42.

Waste.

§ 1-533.  Remedy and judgment.

Wrongs, remediable by the old action of waste, are subjects of action as other wrongs; and the judgment may be for damages, forfeiture of the estate of the party offending, and eviction from the premises. (C.C.P., s. 383; Code, s. 624; Rev., s. 853; C.S., s. 888.)

 

§ 1-534.  For and against whom action lies.

In all cases of waste, an action lies in the appropriate trial division of the General Court of Justice at the instance of him in whom the right is, against all persons committing the waste, as well tenant for term of life as tenant for term of years and guardians. (52 Hen. III, c. 23; 6 Edw. I, c. 5; 20 Edw. I, st. 2; 11 Hen. VI, c. 5; R.C., c. 116, s. 1; Code, s. 625; Rev., s. 854; C.S., s. 889; 1971, c. 268, s. 33.)

 

§ 1-535.  Tenant in possession liable.

Where a tenant for life or years grants his estate to another, and still continues in the possession of the lands, tenements, or hereditaments, an action lies against the said tenant for life or years. (11 Hen. VI, c. 5; R.C., c. 116, s. 2; Code, s. 626; Rev., s. 855; C.S., s. 890.)

 

§ 1-536.  Action by tenant against cotenant.

Where a joint tenant or a tenant in common commits waste, an action lies against him at the instance of his cotenant or joint tenant. (13 Edw. I, c. 22; R.C., c. 116, s. 4; Code, s. 627; Rev., s. 856; C.S., s. 891.)

 

§ 1-537.  Action by heirs.

Every heir may bring action for waste committed on lands, tenements, or hereditaments of his own inheritance, as well in the time of his ancestor as in his own. (6 Edw. I, c. 5; 20 Edw. I, st. 2; 11 Hen. VI, c. 5; R.C., c. 116, s. 5; Code, s. 628; Rev., s. 857; C.S., s. 892.)

 

§ 1-538.  Judgment for treble damages and possession.

In all cases of waste, when judgment is against the defendant, the court may give judgment for treble the amount of the damages assessed by the jury, and also that the plaintiff recover the place wasted, if the damages are not paid on or before a day to be named in the judgment. (6 Edw. I, c. 5; 20 Edw. I, st. 2; R.C., c. 116, s. 3; Code, s. 629; Rev., s. 858; C.S., s. 893.)