Arnett v. Lewis

45 N.E.2d 313, 37 Ohio Law. Abs. 71, 1942 Ohio App. LEXIS 875
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedApril 20, 1942
DocketNo. 597
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 45 N.E.2d 313 (Arnett v. Lewis) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Arnett v. Lewis, 45 N.E.2d 313, 37 Ohio Law. Abs. 71, 1942 Ohio App. LEXIS 875 (Ohio Ct. App. 1942).

Opinion

OPINION

By BARNES, J.

The above entitled cause is now being determined as an error proceeding by reason of defendant’s appeal on questions of law from the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Darke County, Ohio.

Defendant’s notice of appeal stated that the appeal was on questions of law and fact.

Of course, an appellant may not have both appeals heard and determined.

Subsequent to the notice of appeal, defendant proceeded as an error proceeding. From this we de[72]*72termine that appellant has elected to proceed as an appeal on questions of law.

On February 24, 1940, plaintiff, William F. Arnett, being the equitable owner of a piece of real estate in the town of Rossburg, in Darke ■County, Ohio, on which was located a brick building, entered into a written lease for the described premises with the defendant, Herman Lewis. The written lease, among other things, contained the following provisions:

“To have and to hold the same with the appurtenances, unto the said lessee, from the 26th day of February 1940, for and during the full term of one (1) year next ensuing, and fully to be completed and ended on 'the 25th day of February, 1941; Yielding and paying therefor, during said term the sum of One hundred twenty and no/100 Dollars ($120.00), payable as follows:

$10.00 on February 26, 1940, and $10.00 on the 26th day of each month thereafter.’

“It is further agreed between the parties, that the aforesaid Lessee shall have the option and privilege of purchasing the aforementioned real estate and appurtenances at or before the expiration of the term herein provided for upon payment to the Lessee the sum of $1,000.00. Hotice of intention to exercise said option shall be given by the Lessee to the Lessor in writing.
The Lessor further covenants and ■agrees with the Lessee that the said Lessee keeping and performing the conditions required of him under this lease shall have the option and privilege of renewing this lease for an additional term of one year at an annual rental of $120.00.
The said Lessee hereby agrees with the Lessor that the said Lessee will reimburse the Lessor for all damage and breakage to the chairs and equipment of the Lessor, other than normal wear and usage.”

Defendant entered into said premises on the 26th day of February, 1940, and continuously thereafter occupied and used the same as a dance hall. The property had been so used for some period prior to defendant’s occupancy.

While not specifically mentioned in the lease, a number of chairs and tables were in fact included.

Prior to the expiration of the term of the lease, or on the date of its expiration, no notice was given by the lessee that he intended to exercise the option and privilege of renewing the lease for an additional term of one year. In fact, nothing was said concerning the continuation of the leasehold or its termination by either party.

On February 27, 1941, the lessor demanded the keys and advised the lessee that his term had terminated. Then and there lessee advised lessor that he would not vacate and was intending to retain the premises for a second year.

Lessee had not paid or tendered rent for the first month of the second year at the time he was notified by lessor that the leasehold was terminated. A few days after the 11th of March, 1941, lessee, through his wife, did make a formal offer of the monthly rental of $10.00. This proffer of payment was refused by the lessor.

On March 19, 1941, the plaintiff-lessor commenced his action in the Common Pleas Court against the defendant, praying that the Court declare the pretended lease can-celled and of no effect; that the rights of the parties be determined; that an accounting of the damages suffered by this plaintiff be given; that on final hearing the plaintiff be awarded a mandatory order restoring him to both his real estate and personal property described [73]*73and set forth in the petition; and for all other relief to which he may be entitled.

The petition specifically alleged' the breakage of chairs and equipment and also damage to the building.

Defendant in his answer set out two separately stated and numbered defenses:

The first defense admitted the existence of the lease on the real estate and his possession thereunder. Further answering, in the first defense, the defendant set out a general denial.

The second defense was in the nature of a cross-petition, although not so designated. In substance it averred that while defendant was occupying the real estate described in the petition, the plaintiff, on or about the 3rd day of March, 1941, removed tables and chairs from said building, which tables and chairs had been included in the lease; that the plaintiff padlocked the building and by reason thereof defendant was damaged in his business, as at the time he was operating a dance hall and used the tables and chairs in said building for serving food and drink to his customers, and that he was further damaged in his business in that the public was advised that the building was padlocked and that he would not be able to continue his business, and by reason thereof the public failed to patronize his place of business. It was further averred that by reason thereof he was damaged in the sum of $500.00.

In the prayer defendant asked that plaintiff’s petition be dismissed and for further relief to which he may be entitled.

The trial court after hearing the evidence, determined the issues in favor of the plaintiff, and on request of defendant, made a separate finding of law and fact.

In the judgment entry it was ordered that a writ of possession is-' sue immediately to the sheriff of Darke County to put the plaintiff in possession of the property, and that plaintiff recover from the defendant the sum of $75.00. The basis for the money judgment is set out in the finding of fact, under specifications 6 and 7. The court held that one dozen chairs were broken or missing and fixed the value thereof at $15.00. The court further held that the reasonable rental value of the premises from the 26th day of February, 1941, to the 6th day of October, 1941, was $60.00. Appeal bond was fixed in the sum of $300.00. In lieu of bond, defendant deposited $300.00 in cash, which deposit was approved by the court and judgment stayed until the final determination of the cause on appeal.

Motion for new trial was filed and overruled. Proper steps were taken by which the case was lodged in our Court.

The defendant has remained in possession of the premises for the full period to which he claims he is entitled.

If this was the only issue involved, the case would be moot, but other issues are presented through which it becomes necessary to determine the legality of defendant’s possession.

If defendant’s possession was illegal, he thereby would be a trespasser and plaintiff would be entitled to recover damages on the supersedeas cash bond for such occupancy or other attending damages.

If defendant’s occupancy was legal, it would then be necessary to determine defendant’s claimed damages under his second defense.

The determination of this question is attended with considerable difficulty. Text writers and compilers of digests state that the various courts in Ohio, as well as in other [74]

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Haleck v. Lee
4 Am. Samoa 519 (High Court of American Samoa, 1964)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
45 N.E.2d 313, 37 Ohio Law. Abs. 71, 1942 Ohio App. LEXIS 875, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/arnett-v-lewis-ohioctapp-1942.