Court Opinion

ID: 6412938
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:54:02.867742+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:25.954092
License: Public Domain

Bigelow, C. J.
The rule of law is well settled, that an executor or administrator of a lessee is liable for rent of demisee. premises only to the extent of the assets in his hands, and cannot be held personally therefor', unless he enters and holds possession of the estate after the death of the lessee. In the latter case, he is chargeable as assignee, in respect of the perception of the profits, and liable for the rent de bonis propriis. Inasmuch as in law the profits of an estate under a demise are deemed to be appropriated to the lessor, if an executor or administrator enters during a current quarter, and takes the profits from an under-tenant or otherwise, the rent becomes bis personal debt, and he is liable for the rent for that quarter, to the extent of the value of the premises, although it commenced before the death of the lessee. Bailiffs &c. of Ipswich v. Martin, Cro. Jac. 411. Sevens v. Harridge, 1 Saund. 1. Dean & Chap. of Bristol v. Guyse, Ib. 111. Buckley v. Pirk, 1 Salk. 317. Wollaston v. Hakewill, 3 Man. & Gr. 297, 320.
The application' of these well established principles is decisive of the liability of the defendant in this action. On the facts agreed, there can be no doubt that he has made himself liable to be charged personally, as assignee of the lease. He did not quit and surrender the premises immediately after his appointment ; he continued in their occupation, and kept the property of the intestate there for several weeks, and sold it at auction on the premises in the month of January ; he claim,ed to recover rent of the under-tenant of his intestate for four months preceding the first of February, and did not deliver up the premises to the plaintiff until after a judgment against him, as holding the premises without right, after the determination of his tenancy, as assignee of the lease, by a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent. Upon these facts, it cannot be contended that the defendant did not enter and take possession of the demised premises, and hold and enjoy the same, so as to *73render himself liable to be charged personally as assignee of the lease.
As has been already stated, the defendant is liable to some extent for rent during the quarter which had not expired at the time of the death of the lessor. He is also chargeable until his estate was determined by the notice to quit. After that, he held the premises as tenant by sufferance, and is not chargeable for rent as assignee of the lease. But he is not absolutely liable for the amount of the whole rent reserved by the lease, but only to the extent of the value or real worth of the use of the premises. As he is made responsible personally solely by virtue of his entry and possession, and not on the covenants of his intestate contained in the lease, the law holds him for so much of the rent only as the premises are actually worth. Prima facie, the rent reserved by the lease is evidence of the value of the premises, and of the extent of the liability of the administrator, but it is open to him to show that the estate, during the time for which he is liable, was of less value, and for that amount only can he be charged in this action. Rubery v. Stevens, 4 B. & Ad. 241. Hornidge v. Wilson, 11 Ad. & El. 645. Hopgood v. Whaley, 6 Man., Gr. & S. 749. If the parties cannot agree on the sum for which judgment is to be entered, the case must go to an assessor to ascertain the amount, and, on the coming in of his report, the entry will be Judgment for the plaintiff.