Legal Definitions - writ of waste

A writ of waste is a legal document used to recover damages against a tenant who has caused damage to a property. This writ was commonly used in the past to seek compensation for the injury done to the inheritance.

For example, if a tenant cuts down trees on a property without permission, the owner of the property can use a writ of waste to recover the value of the trees and any other damages caused by the tenant's actions.

The writ of waste was an ancient corrective remedy used in a court of common law. It allowed the owner of a property to recover the place wasted and treble damages as compensation for the injury done to the inheritance.