Is it legal for tenants to destroy signed copies of a lease in an attempt to relieve themselves of the responsibilities of the lease?
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Is it legal for tenants to destroy signed copies of a lease in an attempt to relieve themselves of the responsibilities of the lease?
Asked on May 27, 2009 under Real Estate Law, Colorado
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Burning their own copies could not possibly have any legal effect. Burning the landlord's copy, without the landlord's permission, would be tortious (a civil wrong), probably also criminal, and the law has never allowed something like that to benefit the wrongdoer.
I'm not a Colorado attorney, but I very much doubt that the variations in state law anywhere would make this idea even fleetingly reasonable.
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