Buckner v. Jewell

6 F. Cas. 220, 14 Nat. Bank. Reg. 286

• Court: U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Louisiana
• Decided: April 15, 1876
• Status: Published

Opinion

BRADLEY, Circuit Justice.

The position of the assignees is untenable. A landlord cannot prove against a bankrupt’s estate for rent which accrues after the bankruptcy; and neither the bankrupt nor the assignee can claim to occupy the leased premises thereafter without paying the rent in full, unless it has been prepaid by the bankrupt. If they continue to occupy the premises they are liable personally for the rent; and the landlord has his lien on their goods on the premises the same as against other tenants. For rent thus accruing after the bankruptcy, the landlord has nothing to do with the expenses of the estate. They are nothing to him. They cannot be deducted from his rent. If an assignee continues to occupy leased premises of the bankrupt, he ought always to make some definite arrangement with the landlord, unless he expects and is willing to pay the accruing rent. This being the case, the petition for the rent is like any action for rent, and is subject to like rules and proceedings. I think I was mistaken. therefore, in refusing a jury trial in this case. If the assignees wish it they may have it; but the petitioner ought in that case to be allowed to amend his petition and claim a judgment for the whole rent due. If the assignees elect to let the case stand without a jury, the petitioner may have such judgment as he asks, namely, that the assignees be compelled to pay him the proceeds of the goods which were on the leased premises, less the expenses of sale, and have a judgment for the balance to come in pro rata with the other creditors. The assignees must within ten days, file a written election which course they will pursue.