Okla. Stat. tit. 41 § 22
Action for Waste or Trespass by Remainderman
Operative Text
A person seized of an estate in remainder or reversion may maintain an action for waste or trespass, for injury to the inheritance, notwithstanding an intervening estate for life or years.
Oklahoma law under 41 O.S. § 22 recognizes that a person who holds a future interest in property — such as a remainder or reversion — has standing to bring a legal action for waste or trespass even when someone else currently holds a present possessory interest, like a life tenant or a leaseholder. The rule protects the long-term value of the property for those who will eventually inherit or reclaim it. Damage to the underlying property is treated as an injury to the inheritance itself, not merely to the current occupant's interest.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 41 O.S. § 22, property owners and managers should be aware that their actions — or the actions of tenants they place in possession — can give rise to claims from parties who hold future interests in the property, such as remaindermen or reversioners. Operators who comply with this framework generally avoid conduct that diminishes the long-term value or physical condition of the property, since such conduct may constitute actionable waste or trespass against a future interest holder. Maintaining the property in good condition and ensuring tenants do the same helps reduce exposure to claims brought under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants should understand that 41 O.S. § 22 gives future interest holders — people who do not currently possess the property but stand to inherit or reclaim it — the legal right to sue for waste or trespass caused during a tenancy. This means that even if a landlord does not object to certain uses of the property, a remainderman or reversioner may independently bring an action for damage to the inheritance. Tenants who have questions about what uses of a property might constitute waste can consult a tenant-rights organization or a licensed Oklahoma attorney for general information about this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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