dilapidation n
1. a state of deterioration due to old age or long use [syn: decrepitude]
2. the process of becoming dilapidated [syn: ruin]

Dilapidation \Di*lap`i*da"tion\, n. [L. dilapidatio: cf. F. dilapidation.]
1. The act of dilapidating, or the state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined, or squandered. Tell the people that are relived by the dilapidation of their public estate. --Burke.
2. Ecclesiastical waste; impairing of church property by an incumbent, through neglect or by intention. The business of dilapidations came on between our bishop and the Archibishop of York. --Strype.
3. (Law) The pulling down of a building, or suffering it to fall or be in a state of decay. --Burrill.

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Dilapidation is a term meaning in general a falling into decay, but more particularly used in the plural in English law for

Dilapidation is derived from the Latin for scattering the stones (lapides) of a building.

In general law a tenant for life has no power to cut down timber, destroy buildings, etc., or to let buildings fall into disrepair (see Waste). In the eye of the law an incumbent of a living is a tenant for life of his benefice, and any waste, voluntary or permissive, on his part must be made good by his administrators to his successor in office. The principles on which such dilapidations are to be ascertained, and the application of the money payable in respect thereof, depend partly on old ecclesiastical law and partly on acts of parliament.

Questions as to ecclesiastical dilapidations usually arise in respect of the residence house and other buildings belonging to the living. Inclosures, hedges, ditches and the like are included in things of which the beneficed person has the burden and charge of reparation. In a leading case (Ross v. Adcock, 1868, L.R. 3 C.P. 657) it was said that the court was acquainted with no precedent or decision extending the liability of the executors of a deceased incumbent to any species of waste beyond dilapidation of the house, chancel or other buildings or fences of the benefice. And it has been held that the mere mismanagement or miscultivation of the ecclesiastical lands will not give rise to an action for dilapidations.

• Solwezi Stadium upgrade in the pipeline - Times of Zambia
  Sampa said it was evident from the look of things that the Solwezi Stadium had not been taken good care of, hence the dilapidation. He said Government planned to look for funds or a partner to upgrade the Solwezi sports facility to standards equivalent to ... Read more on this news related to 'Dilapidation'
• A powerful experience for Pitt athletes in Haiti - rivals.com
  They knew they would see poverty and dilapidation. They knew to expect things like daily power outages and potholes that would make Pittsburgh's worst roads blush. They knew that their time at the EBAC and IDADEE orphanages in Cap-Haitien would ... Read more on this news related to 'Dilapidation'
• City Condemns High Street Apartment Building Following Blaze - newzjunky.com
  because dilapidation happens fast,” Mr. Johnston said. “When you take the roof system off anything, it will go to hell in a hand basket in a hurry.” Joshua D. Metzler, 25, of 717 State St., was arrested charged with second-degree arson Tuesday and ... Read more on this news related to 'Dilapidation'