Originally Posted by kane

This has zero to do with obstruction. First, this is civil case not a criminal. Second, there is clear evidence that no crime was committed because they provided the cancelled checks as proof.

There would be no fine or jail time even if the renter was found in the wrong.

Let's discuss a more accurate scenario:

One night you are at a party with some people. The next day you are visited by the police who tell you that someone at that party was attacked, beaten, and robbed so they are investigating it. They talk to you and tell you they may need a statement later from you.

You then set out to stop the investigation. You call the people you knew that were there that night and tell them to not talk to the cops. You go back to the house where the party was and make sure there is nothing there that could point to a crime being committed even destroying a few things you think might be evidence and you lie to the police about some things to throw them off the trail. In short, you obstruct their investigation.

When it is all said and done, the police determine that nobody was actually attacked or robbed and it was all a big misunderstanding. So, no crime was committed at the party, but you committed a crime trying to impede the investigation.