Opinion ID: 1844249
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Winn-Dixie's right to terminate the lease

Text: Bowdoin Square argues that termination of a long-term commercial lease is an extraordinary event; thus, termination should be allowed only in extreme circumstances. Moreover, Bowdoin Square contends that under Alabama law, a tenant is allowed to terminate its lease only under those circumstances set out in the lease. According to Bowdoin Square, the lease agreement in this case allowed termination by Winn-Dixie only under four circumstances. [11] Bowdoin Square argues that Winn-Dixie never attempted to prove that any of those circumstances existed when it purported to terminate the lease; thus, Bowdoin Square asserts, the trial court should have granted its motion for a JML. We disagree. As a general rule, except to the extent the parties to a lease agree otherwise, if a landlord fails to perform a valid promise contained in the lease, thus depriving the tenant of a significant inducement to the making of the lease, the tenant may attempt to terminate the lease. 49 Am. Jur.2d Landlord & Tenant § 83 (1995); 51C C.J.S. Landlord & Tenant § 113 (2002) (lessor's breach of an essential covenant entitles the lessee to terminate the lease); see also Health Care Mgmt. Corp. v. Rubenstein, 540 So.2d 77, 78 (Ala.Civ. App.1989) (one party's material breach excuses the other party from performance); O'Byrne v. Henley, 161 Ala. 620, 50 So. 83 (1909) (a breach of the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment by the lessor authorizes the tenant to terminate the lease and abandon premises). Thus, Winn-Dixie has the right to terminate the lease and vacate the premises, if Bowdoin Square failed to perform an essential covenant. [12]