What constitutes constructive eviction?

Constructive eviction occurs when a landlord fails to maintain the property in a way that significantly affects its usability, thereby forcing the tenant to vacate the premises. This failure can involve neglecting essential services such as heating, plumbing, or electrical systems, making it so that the tenant cannot live comfortably or safely in the rental unit. In legal terms, constructive eviction allows tenants to claim that they have been effectively "evicted" from the property due to the landlord's inaction, even if a formal eviction process hasn't taken place.

In contrast, the other options do not meet the standard for constructive eviction. For instance, a landlord's refusal to renew a lease doesn't impact the current state of the rental or code violations, hence it doesn’t serve as ground for constructive eviction. Similarly, termination of rental agreements and increases in rental rates, while potentially troubling for tenants, do not inherently deny them the basic right to use and enjoy their living space. Thus, the correct understanding of constructive eviction focuses specifically on the landlord's failure to maintain a livable property, highlighting why that choice is the most appropriate response.