Court Opinion

ID: 5269078
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 19:08:23.260649+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:28:12.270709
License: Public Domain

Page, J.
(dissenting):
Clause 12 in the lease in this case is different in two particulars from those considered in the cases of Sylvan Mortgage Co., Inc., v. Astruck (205 App. Div. 455) and Sylvan Mortgage Co., Inc., v Turkeltaub (Id. 459), in this, that the clause in this lease requires four months’ notice instead of five, and the words “whenrequested to do so,” and at the option of the lessor were omitted — the theory of the plaintiff being that, as there was a failure to give notice, the lease was thereby automatically renewed for a year, and the action is brought only for the months subsequent to October 1, 1921.
On March 23, 1920, the agent of the plaintiff wrote to the defendant:
“ We have gone over your lease very carefully and I am quite sure from our talk over the telephone that you misunderstand Clause No. 12. This clause provides that if you do not give us notice four months before the termination of this lease, that the landlord *462can hold you as a tenant for another year at the same rent. To obviate any possible misunderstanding we now beg to advise you that unless we hear from you on or before April first, we will conclude that you do not wish to make a new lease and we will offer the apartment for rent.”
On April 1, 1921, the defendant wrote:
“ In answer to your favor of March 23rd, and confirming telephone conversation which Mrs. Newman had with Mr. Zittel yesterday, beg to say that it is my intention to renew the lease for my apartment at 306 West 100th Street.”
Thereby the lease was renewed upon the same terms and conditions for an additional term of two years for the reason stated in the case of Sylvan Mortgage Co., Inc., v. Astruck (205 App. Div. 455), decided herewith.
The determination of the Appellate Term and the judgment of the Municipal Court should be reversed and the complaint "dismissed, with costs to the appellant in all the courts.
Determination affirmed, with costs.