2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 55 - Uniform Commercial Code › Article 2A - Leases › Part 3 - EFFECT OF LEASE CONTRACT › Section 55-2A-301 - Enforceability of lease contract.

Except as otherwise provided in this article, a lease contract is effective and enforceable according to its terms between the parties, against purchasers of the goods, and against creditors of the parties.
History:
1978 Comp., § 55-2A-301, enacted by Laws 1992, ch. 114, § 38.
OFFICIAL COMMENTS
UCC Official Comments by ALI & the NCCUSL. Reproduced with permission of the PEB for the UCC. All rights reserved.
Uniform Statutory Source:
— Section 9-201 [55-9-201 NMSA 1978].
Purposes:
— The first sentence of Section 9-201 [55-9-201 NMSA 1978] was incorporated, modified to reflect leasing terminology. The second sentence of Section 9-201 [55-9-201 NMSA 1978] was eliminated as not relevant to leasing practices.
1. This section establishes a general rule regarding the validity and enforceability of a lease contract. The lease contract is effective and enforceable between the parties and against third parties. Exceptions to this general rule arise where there is a specific rule to the contrary in this Article. Enforceability is, thus, dependent upon the lease contract meeting the requirements of the Statute of Frauds provisions of Section 2A-201 [55-2A-201 NMSA 1978]. Enforceability is also a function of the lease contract conforming to the principles of construction and interpretation contained in the Article on General Provisions (Article 1). Section 2A-103(4) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].
2. The effectiveness or enforceability of the lease contract is not dependent upon the lease contract or any financing statement or the like being filed or recorded; however, the priority of the interest of a lessor of fixtures with respect to the interests of certain third parties in such fixtures is subject to the provisions of the Article on Secured Transactions (Article 9). Section 2A-309 [55-2A-309 NMSA 1978]. Prior to the adoption of this Article filing or recording was not required with respect to leases, only for nominal leases that created security interests. Section 1-203 [55-1-203 NMSA 1978] now more clearly distinguishes leases from transactions that create security interests. Those lessors who are concerned about whether the transaction creates a lease or a security interest will continue to file a protective financing statement. Section 9-505 [55-9-505 NMSA 1978].
(a) In construing this section it is important to recognize its relationship to other sections in this Article. This is best demonstrated by reference to a hypothetical. Assume that on February 1 A, a manufacturer of combines and other farm equipment, leased a fleet of six combines to B, a corporation engaged in the business of farming, for a 12 month term. Under the lease agreement between A and B, A agreed to defer B's payment of the first two months' rent to April 1. On March 1 B recognized that it would need only four combines and thus subleased two combines to C for an 11 month term.
(b) This hypothetical raises a number of issues that are answered by the sections contained in this part. Since lease is defined to include sublease (Section 2A-103(1)(j) and (w)) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978], this section provides that the prime lease between A and B and the sublease between B and C are enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as otherwise provided in this Article; that exception, in this case, is one of considerable scope.
(c) The separation of ownership, which is in A, and possession, which is in B with respect to four combines and which is in C with respect to two combines, is not relevant. Section 2A-302 [55-2A-302 NMSA 1978]. A's interest in the six combines cannot be challenged simply because A parted with possession to B, who in turn parted with possession of some of the combines to C. Yet it is important to note that by the terms of Section 2A-302 [55-2A-302 NMSA 1978] this conclusion is subject to change if otherwise provided in this Article.
(d) B's entering the sublease with C raises an issue that is treated by this part. In a dispute over the leased combines A may challenge B's right to sublease. The rule is permissive as to transfers of interests under a lease contract, including subleases. Section 2A-303(2) [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978]. However, the rule has two significant qualifications. If the prime lease contract between A and B prohibits B from subleasing the combines, or makes such a sublease an event of default, Section 2A-303(2) [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978] applies; thus, while B's interest under the prime lease may not be transferred under the sublease to C, A may have a remedy pursuant to Section 2A-303(5) [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978]. Absent a prohibition or default provision in the prime lease contract A might be able to argue that the sublease to C materially increases A's risk; thus, while B's interest under the prime lease may be transferred under the sublease to C, A may have a remedy pursuant to Section 2A-303(5) [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978]. Section 2A-303(5)(b)(ii) [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978].
(e) Resolution of this issue is also a function of the section dealing with the sublease of goods by a prime lessee (Section 2A-305) [55-2A-305 NMSA 1978]. Subsection (1) of Section 2A-305 [55-2A-305 NMSA 1978], which is subject to the rules of Section 2A-303 [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978] stated above, provides that C takes subject to the interest of A under the prime lease between A and B. However, there are two exceptions. First, if B is a merchant (Sections 2A-103(3) and 2-104(1)) [55-2A-103 and 55-2-104 NMSA 1978, respectively] dealing in goods of that kind and C is a sublessee in the ordinary course of business (Sections 2A-103(1)(o) and 2A-103(1)(n)) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978], C takes free of the prime lease between A and B. Second, if B has rejected the six combines under the prime lease with A, and B disposes of the goods by sublease to C, C takes free of the prime lease if C can establish good faith. Section 2A-511(4) [55-2A-511 NMSA 1978].
(f) If the facts of this hypothetical are expanded and we assume that the prime lease obligated B to maintain the combines, an additional issue may be presented. Prior to entering the sublease, B, in satisfaction of its maintenance covenant, brought the two combines that it desired to sublease to a local independent dealer of A's. The dealer did the requested work for B. C inspected the combines on the dealer's lot after the work was completed. C signed the sublease with B two days later. C, however, was prevented from taking delivery of the two combines as B refused to pay the dealer's invoice for the repairs. The dealer furnished the repair service to B in the ordinary course of the dealer's business. If under applicable law the dealer has a lien on repaired goods in the dealer's possession, the dealer's lien will take priority over B's and C's interests, and also should take priority over A's interest, depending upon the terms of the lease contract and the applicable law. Section 2A-306 [55-2A-306 NMSA 1978].
(g) Now assume that C is in financial straits and one of C's creditors obtains a judgment against C. If the creditor levies on C's subleasehold interest in the two combines, who will prevail? Unless the levying creditor also holds a lien covered by Section 2A-306 [55-2A-306 NMSA 1978], discussed above, the judgment creditor will take its interest subject to B's rights under the sublease and A's rights under the prime lease. Section 2A-307(1) [55-2A-307 NMSA 1978]. The hypothetical becomes more complicated if we assume that B is in financial straits and B's creditor holds the judgment. Here the judgment creditor takes subject to the sublease unless the lien attached to the two combines before the sublease contract became enforceable. Section 2A-307(2)(a) [55-2A-307 NMSA 1978]. However, B's judgment creditor cannot prime A's interest in the goods because, with respect to A, the judgment creditor is a creditor of B in its capacity as lessee under the prime lease between A and B. Thus, here the judgment creditor's interest is subject to the lease between A and B. Section 2A-307(1) [55-2A-307 NMSA 1978].
(h) Finally, assume that on April 1 B is unable to pay A the deferred rent then due under the prime lease, but that C is current in its payments under the sublease from B. What effect will B's default under the prime lease between A and B have on C's rights under the sublease between B and C? Section 2A-301 [55-2A-301 NMSA 1978] provides that a lease contract is effective against the creditors of either party. Since a lease contract includes a sublease contract (Section 2A-103(1)(l)) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978], the sublease contract between B and C arguably could be enforceable against A, a prime lessor who has extended unsecured credit to B the prime lessee/sublessor, if the sublease contract meets the requirements of Section 2A-201 [55-2A-201 NMSA 1978]. However, the rule stated in Section 2A-301 [55-2A-301 NMSA 1978] is subject to other provisions in this Article. Under Section 2A-305 [55-2A-305 NMSA 1978], C, as sublessee, would take subject to the prime lease contract in most cases. Thus, B's default under the prime lease will in most cases lead to A's recovery of the goods from C. Section 2A-523 [55-2A-523 NMSA 1978]. A and C could provide otherwise by agreement. Section 2A-311 [55-2A-311 NMSA 1978]. C's recourse will be to assert a claim for damages against B. Sections 2A-211(1) and 2A-508 [55-2A-211 and 55-2A-508 NMSA 1978, respectively].
(a) As the analysis of the hypothetical demonstrates, Part 3 of the Article focuses on issues that relate to the enforceability of the lease contract (Sections 2A-301, 2A-302 and 2A-303) [55-2A-301, 55-2A-302 and 55-2A-303 NMSA 1978, respectively] and to the priority of various claims to the goods subject to the lease contract (Sections 2A-304, 2A-305, 2A-306, 2A-307, 2A-308, 2A-309, 2A-310, and 2A-311) [55-2A-304 to 55-2A-311 NMSA 1978, respectively].
(b) This section states a general rule of enforceability, which is subject to specific rules to the contrary stated elsewhere in the Article. Section 2A-302 [55-2A-302 NMSA 1978] negates any notion that the separation of title and possession is fraudulent as a rule of law. Finally, Section 2A-303 [55-2A-303 NMSA 1978] states rules with respect to the transfer of the lessor's interest (as well as the residual interest in the goods) or the lessee's interest under the lease contract. Qualifications are imposed as a function of various issues, including whether the transfer is the creation or enforcement of a security interest or one that is material to the other party to the lease contract. In addition, a system of rules is created to deal with the rights and duties among assignor, assignee and the other party to the lease contract.
(c) Sections 2A-304 and 2A-305 [55-2A-304 and 55-2A-305 NMSA 1978, respectively] are twins that deal with good faith transferees of goods subject to the lease contract. Section 2A-304 [55-2A-304 NMSA 1978] creates a set of rules with respect to transfers by the lessor of goods subject to a lease contract; the transferee considered is a subsequent lessee of the goods. The priority dispute covered here is between the subsequent lessee and the original lessee of the goods (or persons claiming through the original lessee). Section 2A-305 [55-2A-305 NMSA 1978] creates a set of rules with respect to transfers by the lessee of goods subject to a lease contract; the transferees considered are buyers of the goods or sublessees of the goods. The priority dispute covered here is between the transferee and the lessor of the goods (or persons claiming through the lessor).
(d) Section 2A-306 [55-2A-306 NMSA 1978] creates a rule with respect to priority disputes between holders of liens for services or materials furnished with respect to goods subject to a lease contract and the lessor or the lessee under that contract. Section 2A-307 [55-2A-307 NMSA 1978] creates a rule with respect to priority disputes between the lessee and creditors of the lessor and priority disputes between the lessor and creditors of the lessee.
(e) Section 2A-308 [55-2A-308 NMSA 1978] creates a series of rules relating to allegedly fraudulent transfers and preferences. The most significant rule is that set forth in subsection (3) which validates sale-leaseback transactions if the buyer-lessor can establish that he or she bought for value and in good faith.
(f) Sections 2A-309 and 2A-310 [55-2A-309 and 55-2A-310 NMSA 1978, respectively] create a series of rules with respect to priority disputes between various third parties and a lessor of fixtures or accessions, respectively, with respect thereto.
(g) Finally, Section 2A-311 [55-2A-311 NMSA 1978] allows parties to alter the statutory priorities by agreement.
Cross References:
— Article 1, especially Section 1-201(37), and Sections 2-104(1), 2A-103(1)(j), 2A-103(1)(l), 2A-103(1)(n), 2A-103(1)(o) and 2A-103(1)(w), 2A-103(3), 2A-103(4), 2A-201, 2A-301 through 2A-303, 2A-303(2), 2A-303(5), 2A-304 through 2A-307, 2A-307(1), 2A-307(2)(a), 2A-308 through 2A-311, 2A-508, 2A-511(4), 2A-523, Article 9, especially Sections 9-201 and 9-408 [55-1-201, 55-2-104, 55-2A-103, 55-2A-201, 55-2A-301 to 55-2A-311, 55-2A-508, 55-2A-511, 55-2A-523, 55-9-201 and 55-9-408 NMSA 1978, respectively].
"Creditor". Section 1-201(12) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].
"Goods". Section 2A-103(1)(h) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].
"Lease contract". Section 2A-103(1)(l) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].
"Party". Section 1-201(29) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].
"Purchaser". Section 1-201(33) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].
"Term". Section 1-201(42) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 1992, ch. 114, § 238 made Laws 1992, ch. 114, § 38 effective July 1, 1992.