Court Opinion

ID: 7353884
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-26 03:26:14.726162+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:20:28.215662
License: Public Domain

BIJUR, J.
Plaintiff sues to recover $30, deposited with the defendant under the following circumstances: Plaintiff examined an apartment owned by defendant with a view of renting the same. Thereupon the following paper was executed and delivered:
“New York, November 20, 1911.
“Received of Mr. Angus S. MacDonald $30 as a deposit (subject to conditions printed below) to secure the apartment on the sixth floor, five rooms of the house No. 530 Claremont Ave., rent to commence on December 1, 1911, and to be $60 per month. It is also agreed between the parties hereto that the balance of the first month’s rent is to be paid and the lease from December 1, 1911, to September 30, 1912, to 'be signed before December 1, 1911, at 12 o’clock noon, or the above deposit is to become forfeited. The above deposit is accepted only upon the express condition that an inquiry into the general standing and character of the prospective tenant proves entirely satisfactory in every way to the landlord, or his agents, and said landlord and his agents reserve the right to refund any deposit made. E. Doctor, Agt.’-’
On the back of the receipt the following was written:
“Repapering of apartment, painting, varnishing, and shellacking floors, shelves where necessary, and bathroom to be put in good condition. Telephone to be desk instrument; shades to be in good condition.
“E. Doctor, Agt.”
It being apparent that no question of the statute of frauds enters into this case, this instrument evidences either a completed lease, or an agreement to execute a lease, upon all the terms of which both parties had agreed and which the defendant had signed by his authorized agent, and which the plaintiff had accepted (apart from any other considerations) by making a deposit thereon. So that, under the circumstances, plaintiff, being in default, was not entitled to recover, and *7defendant was entitled to recover upon his counterclaim for the balance of the rent due, if properly proved.
Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event. All concur.