A. If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the resident may:
(1) vacate the premises and notify the owner in writing within seven days thereafter of his intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the date of vacating; or
(2) if continued occupancy is lawful, vacate any part of the dwelling unit rendered unusable by the fire or casualty, in which case the resident's liability for rent is reduced in proportion to the diminution in the fair rental value of the dwelling unit.
B. If the rental agreement is terminated, the owner shall return the balance, if any, [of] prepaid rent and deposits recoverable under Section 18 [47-8-18 NMSA 1978] of the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act. Accounting for rent, in the event of termination or apportionment, is to occur as of the date of the vacation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the resident is responsible for damage caused by his negligence.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-7-31, enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 38, § 31.
Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.
Law reviews. — For survey, "The Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act," see 6 N.M.L. Rev. 293 (1976).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 49 Am. Jur. 2d Landlord and Tenant § 759 et seq.
Condition of premises within the contemplation of provision of lease or statute for cessation of rent or termination of lease in event of destruction of or damage to property as result of fire, 118 A.L.R. 106, 61 A.L.R.2d 1445.
Modern status of rule as to tenant's rent liability after injury to or destruction of demised premises, 99 A.L.R.3d 738.
Liability of owner or occupant of premises to fireman coming thereon in discharge of his duty, 11 A.L.R.4th 597.
52A C.J.S. Landlord and Tenant § 991.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 8 - Owner-Resident Relations
Section 47-8-4 - Principles of law and equity.
Section 47-8-6 - Recovery of damages.
Section 47-8-7 - Provision for agreement.
Section 47-8-8 - Rights, obligations and remedies.
Section 47-8-10 - Judicial jurisdiction.
Section 47-8-11 - Obligation of good faith.
Section 47-8-12 - Inequitable agreement provision.
Section 47-8-13 - Service of notice.
Section 47-8-14 - Terms and conditions of agreement.
Section 47-8-15 - Payment of rent.
Section 47-8-16 - Waiver of rights prohibited.
Section 47-8-17 - Unlawful agreement provision.
Section 47-8-19 - Owner disclosure.
Section 47-8-20 - Obligations of owner.
Section 47-8-21 - Relief of owner liability.
Section 47-8-22 - Obligations of resident.
Section 47-8-23 - Application of rules or regulations.
Section 47-8-24 - Right of entry.
Section 47-8-25 - Use of dwelling unit limited.
Section 47-8-26 - Delivery of possession.
Section 47-8-27.1 - Breach of agreement by owner and relief by resident.
Section 47-8-27.2 - Abatement.
Section 47-8-30 - Action for counterclaim for resident.
Section 47-8-31 - Resident rights following fire or casualty.
Section 47-8-33 - Breach of agreement by resident and relief by owner.
Section 47-8-34 - Notice of extended absence.
Section 47-8-34.1 - Disposition of property left on the premises.
Section 47-8-34.2 - Personal property and security deposit of deceased resident; contact person.
Section 47-8-35 - Claim for rent and damages.
Section 47-8-36 - Unlawful removal and diminution of services prohibited.
Section 47-8-36.1 - Landlord lien.
Section 47-8-37 - Notice of termination and damages.
Section 47-8-38 - Injunctive relief.
Section 47-8-39 - Owner retaliation prohibited.
Section 47-8-40 - Action for possession by owner.
Section 47-8-41 - Action for possession by owner or resident.
Section 47-8-42 - Petition for restitution.
Section 47-8-43 - Issuance of summons.
Section 47-8-44 - Absence from court of defendant.
Section 47-8-45 - Legal or equitable defense.
Section 47-8-46 - Writ of restitution.
Section 47-8-47 - Appeal stays execution.
Section 47-8-48 - Prevailing party rights in law suit; civil penalties.
Section 47-8-49 - Unlawful and forcible entry.
Section 47-8-50 - Prior transactions valid.