When 2 or more persons hold property in common, as tenants in common or joint tenants, and 1 or more of them commit waste, action shall lie against the person or persons committing the waste. After judgment in such action, the defendant may elect either to have the common property partitioned or to give such security as the court shall deem sufficient, not to commit any further waste. If the defendant shall elect to have the property partitioned, the part assigned to him shall include that portion of the property wasted. If defendant does not elect to have the property partitioned or if the waste exceeds the value of his share of the property, the plaintiff shall recover damages therefor against such defendant.
N.J.S. § 2A:65-4