Court Opinion

ID: 5420529
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-08 16:27:31.217792+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:31:12.959603
License: Public Domain

Humphrey, J.
Petitioners make this application to compel the comptroller of the city of New York to pay an award made to them in condemnation of petitioners’ property in a street widening proceeding. The facts are not in dispute. The title was vested in the city July 1, 1924, and the premises were occupied by the owners after the vesting of title for a period of sixteen months. The premises consisted of a store and an apartment. The city notified the owners upon the vesting of title that rental would be charged at the rate of eighty-five dollars per month. When the petitioners applied for their award in March of this year the comptroller insisted that the value of the use and occupation of the premises should be deducted from the award. This application seeks to compel the comptroller to deliver the award without such deduction. Under the provisions of the charter the comptroller is empowered to collect revenue for the temporary use and occupar tion of the premises under condemnation. To avoid litigation the comptroller has the right to make a deduction for the temporary use of the premises by applicants.. A dispute has arisen between the comptroller and the applicants as to the value of that use. If an agreement cannot be reached between the comptroller and the applicants as to the value of that use an order may be made directing that question to be tried by an official referee.