Case ID: ad_122/html/0401-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Rich, J.:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Emanuel Janpol, Respondent, v. Louis Gold, Appellant.
    Second Department,
    November 22, 1907.
    Principal and agent — condition precedent to recovery of commissions.
    When a broker’s contract entitles him to additional commissions when a building upon lands sold by him has reached a certain stage of completion, he must show that the building has progressed to that state as a condition precedent to the recovery of commissions, unless it appear that his principal was in some way responsible for the builder’s default.
    Appeal by the defendant, Louis Gold, from a judgment of the Municipal Court of the city of Hew York, borough of Brooklyn, in favor of the plaintiff, rendered on the 29th day of September, 1905.
    
      Edward Snyder, for the appellant.
    No appearance for the respondent.
   Rich, J.:

This action was brought to recover $150 balance claimed to be due under a clause in a brokerage agreement providing that “ One hundred and fifty ($150) dollars additional, when said Schlosberg shall reach the first tier of beams in process of construction of houses upon said eight lots.” Plaintiff sold the lots to Schlosberg, who agreed to erect houses thereon, and was paid $50 for his commission, and defendant promised to pay the further su m of $150 as above provided. The purchaser was unable to pay for the lots'and proceed with the construction of the buildings, and “the first tier of beams” was never reached. It was a condition, precedent to plaintiff’s right to recover that the first tier of beams should be reached in process of construction (Turner v. Lane, 47 Misc. Rep. 387 ; 93 N. Y. Supp. 1083 ; Tooker v. Arnoux, 76 N. Y. 397) ; and unless it be made to appear that the defendant was in some way responsible for the failure of Schlosberg to proceed, plaintiff cannot recover. We are unable to find any satisfactory evidence from which this inference can be drawn.

The judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered, costs to abide the event.

Woodwakd, Gaynor and Miller, JJ., concurred ; Hirsohberg, P. J., not voting.

Judgment of the Municipal Court reversed and new trial ordered, ' costs to abide the event.