i think this isn't as bad as it sounds for TIC. they are simply doing the same thing everyone else doing. hand in the keys on your underwater property... or more likely, threaten to do so. there's a difference between not having positive cash flow to make payments (maguire) vs deciding they'd rather give up the property and hoard their cash (irvine co). it might just be the smarter capital allocation strategy if they believe there'll be better opportunities to play gravedigger after the dust settles in CRE.
the only repercussion will be to their reputation if they have to eat their "never returned a property in our 145 yr history" statement. but what do they care, really.