Legal Definitions - vasto

VASTO

Vasto is a legal term that means "of waste." It refers to a writ that allows a reversioner or remainderman to force a tenant for life or for years to appear in court and answer for any damage caused to the plaintiff's inheritance due to waste.

For example, if a tenant for life cuts down all the trees on a property, the reversioner or remainderman can use the writ of vasto to sue the tenant for the damage caused to the inheritance.

Another example would be if a tenant for years damages a property by neglecting to maintain it, the reversioner or remainderman can use the writ of vasto to hold the tenant accountable for the resulting damage.

These examples illustrate how the writ of vasto is used to protect the interests of the reversioner or remainderman by holding tenants accountable for any damage caused to the inheritance.