If a fire completely destroys an apartment building, the status of the leases for current residents is?

When a fire completely destroys an apartment building, the leases for the current residents are considered cancelled or terminated. This is rooted in the legal principle that a lease depends on the continued existence and habitability of the leased premises. If the property is entirely destroyed and can no longer provide occupancy, the lease is rendered moot because the landlord can no longer fulfill their obligation to provide the residence as stipulated in the lease agreement.

In this context, when a lease obligates a landlord to provide a tenant with a livable space, the destruction of that space leads to the inevitable conclusion that the lease cannot be enforced. Consequently, tenants are not bound to continue payment or obligations under the lease, as the primary condition—the existence of the rental unit—has been voided completely.

Understanding this principle is vital in real estate law, where the destruction of leased premises can significantly impact both the landlord's and the tenants' rights and responsibilities.