Kinsey v. Arrington

PER CURIAM.

The plaintiff sued to recover for the rent of a dwelling house for the months of December, 1911, and January, 1912, claiming that the plaintiff had leased the premises from October 1, 1911, to May 1, 1912, at an agreed rental of $75 per month, payable in advance. The defendant paid the full amount of the rent for the months of October and November.

An examination of the correspondence, which forms the basis of the plaintiff’s claim, leads us to the conclusion that there was no lease ever entered into between the parties for any definite term. The most favorable view that can be taken of the plaintiff’s claim is that he made an offer to lease the premises to the defendant from October until May, which offer was accepted only conditionally; the execution of the written agreement to lease, proposed by the landlord, having been refused by the defendant. Subsequently the defendant, claiming that the plaintiff had neglected to make the repairs which had been imposed by the defendant as a condition for executing the lease, sent the plaintiff, on November 2, 1911, a check for $75, being the amount of the November rent; the rent for October having previously been paid. This last check was accompanied by a letter which informed the plaintiff that the same was sent in “final settlement of the rent of your premises.” This check was retained and used by plaintiff; the defendant vacating the premises on November 15, 1911. Under such circumstances, the plaintiff could not recover.

Judgment reversed, with costs, and complaint dismissed, with costs.