Schrenkeisen v. Kroll

FREEDMAN, P. J.

This is an appeal from an order made in an action in the Municipal Court denying defendants’ motion to open their default. The pleadings in the action are verified, and are made a part of the record on this appeal. The action was brought to recover for two months’ rent. The answer admits that the defendants have not paid the rent for the two months sued for, but allege as a defense that the premises were surrendered by them and accepted by the landlord. Formerly an appeal from such an order was not permissible (Beebe v. Nassau Show Case Co., 41 App. Div. 456, 58 N. Y. Supp. 769), but by section 257 of the New Municipal Court Act (Laws 1902, p. 1563, c. 580) it seems to have been provided for. The trial of the cause had been adjourned several times, and upon the last day set for trial the defendant again asked for an adjournment, which was refused. He then filed an affidavit setting forth that a material witness was sick and unable to attend, and, on the refusal of the court to adjourn, defaulted. Subsequently he made a motion to open such default.

If we assume that the affidavit which is made the basis of his application to open the default be sufficient, of which there is grave doubt, inasmuch as it fails to show any facts from which it can be said the testimony of the absent witness was or might be material upon the trial, or that it could be obtained, it nevertheless appears by the opposing affidavits—and those are not contradicted—that the defense set up by the defendants in their answer would be unavailing. The defendants had defaulted in payment of the rent sued for, and summary proceedings had been instituted, prior to the time of the trial of this action, which had resulted in a final order dispossessing them. Such proceedings were res adjudicata in this action, and formed a complete answer to the claim of the defendants that they were not in occupancy of the demised premises at the time the rent accrued. McCotter v. Flinn, 30 Misc. Rep. 119, 61 N. Y. Supp. 786. From the testimony submitted to the court upon this motion we cannot say that he erred in denying it, and the order must be affirmed.

Order affirmed, with costs. All concur.