What term describes the illegal act of withholding essential services from a tenant?

The correct term that describes the illegal act of withholding essential services from a tenant is constructive eviction. Constructive eviction occurs when a landlord fails to provide necessary services, such as heat, water, or electricity, making the rental property uninhabitable. This failure forces the tenant to leave the premises, even though the landlord hasn't formally evicted them through legal proceedings. Essentially, the tenant is coerced into vacating the property because their living conditions have been made intolerable, despite the landlord's obligation to maintain those essential services.

In contrast, unlawful detainer refers to the legal process a landlord uses to evict a tenant through the court system, which does not specifically address the withholding of essential services. Unilateral termination generally implies that one party has taken steps to end a contract without mutual consent, but it does not specifically pertain to a tenant's living conditions or services. Illegal withdrawal is not a widely recognized legal term in this context. Therefore, constructive eviction accurately captures the specific scenario involving the withholding of essential services from a tenant.