Hall Steam Power Co. v. Campbell Printing Press & Manufacturing Co. , 59 N.Y. St. Rep. 571 ( 1894 )

Freedman, J.

The action was brought by the plaintiff, as landlord, to recover damages from the defendant, as tenant, for an alleged wrongful withholding from plaintiff of the demised premises after the expiration of the term. Upon the trial it appeared that the withholding consisted in the fact that a third party, who-may be justly deemed to have been a subtenant, remained in possession. The weight of authority seems to be, and the majority of the text writers agree, that, if the tenant has let the whole or any part of the premises to a subtenant who is in possession at the time of the determination of the term, he must get. him out, for otherwise he will not be in a situation to render that complete possession to which the landlord is entitled, and that, if he omit to do so, the landlord has his election to sue for rent or for damages. In the case at bar the complaint, as a whole, is for the recovery of damages, but it also contains all the facts necessary to be alleged to sustain a recovery as for rent. The plaintiff, upon the trial, was, therefore, in a position to waive the tort, and to recover as upon contract. The learned trial judge directed a verdict for one month’s rent only, with interest. If the action had been determined as one for damages, the result, upon the facts disclosed, would have been a verdict for a larger amount.

The judgment and order should be affirmed, with costs.