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22 How. Pr. 104

Waters v. Clark

New York Supreme Court

Decided November 15, 1861

New York Supreme Court · decided 1861-11-15

<p>In an action to recover rent for the use and occupation of premises, it is not necessary to aver in the complaint how the relation of landlord and tenant arose between the parties.</p> <p>If there is an omission to state the time when the defendant Occupied the premises, and the rate at which the rent is claimed, or the period of time during which the rent is in arrear, such defects are not available on demurrer; they can be corrected on motion to render the pleading more definite and certain.</p>

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently January 1897

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1861-11-15

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Leonard, Justice.

¶1This case comes before .the court on a general demurrer to the complaint for not stating facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.

¶2The complaint states, that on the 1st of May, 1861, the defendant became indebted to the plaintiff in $137.50, for the use and occupation of the plaintiff's premises, situated at 126 Charlton street, in the city of New York, and that no part of that sum has been paid.

¶3The defendant is here informed that the plaintiff claims that the defendant has occupied- and used his premises in Charlton street, for which he is now indebted in a certain sum. Such is the reasonable and plain intendment of the language used.

¶4In my opinion, a contract is clearly implied, that the defendant requested, or consented to occupy the premises, and promised to pay therefor. (Allen agt. Patterson, 3 Seld. R., 476.) The plaintiff asserts that the premises are his; he is therefore the landlord.

¶5No one, with common understanding, can doubt that the relation of landlord and tenant existed prior to May 1st, 1861, between the plaintiff and defendant, as to the occupation of these premises.

¶6It is not necessary to aver in pleading how the relation of landlord and tenant arose between the parties.

¶7The plaintiff can prove, under this complaint, an occupation under a written or parol agreement for hiring, or such facts as will raise an implied promise to pay for the occupation of the premises, in case there was no express agreement. (Pierce agt. Pierce, 25 Barb. R., 243; Morris agt. Niles, 12 Abb. Pr. R., 104; Ten Eyck agt. Houghtailing, 12 How. Pr. R., 528 ; Taylor’s Landlord and Tenant, § 636 ; Com. Landlord and Tenant, pp. 141-2.)

¶8*106There is an omission on the part of the pleader in stating the time when the defendant occupied the premises, and the rate at which the rent is claimed, or the period of time during which the rent is in arrear ; but these defects are not available on demurrer. Such defects can be corrected on motion to render the pleading more definite and certain.

¶9Judgment for plaintiff on the demurrer, with leave to defendant to answer in ten days, on payment of the costs of the demurrer.

¶10>

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