De Lancey v. Robbin

123 N.Y.S. 946

• Court: Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York
• Decided: June 24, 1910
• Status: Published

Opinion

BIJUR, J.

On March 14, 1906, Harriet Heylman leased certain property to Frederick Robbin for a term of five years. Thereafter Robbin assigned to Cummings and Haramis, defendants herein, who assumed the covenant to pay rent; and Cummings subsequently assigned to Haramis. Harriet Heylman devised the property to Henry Heylman and the plaintiffs herein as tenants in common. Henry Heylman was appointed executor, and subsequent to his qualification as such, entered into an agreement, under seal, individually, on January 10, 1908, with Haramis, whereby Haramis agreed to pay an increased rent and the water taxes on the property. Henry, as executor, by virtue of the power of sale, later conveyed the premises to one Krause on May 27, 1909, and on the same day Krause conveyed the same to the plaintiffs herein. The tenants in possession failed to pay the rent for December, 1909, and January and February, 1910, and plaintiffs sue for the same under the terms of the original lease of March 14, 1906.

The respondents contended that the agreement of January 10, 1908, being signed by Henry Heylman, who at that time was executor of his mother’s estate and tenant in common with his sisters, was a valid agreement with the tenants of the premises, modifying the lease, and thus releasing the respondents, Robbin and Cummings, who were merely sureties. There is no evidence that Henry acted as agent for his sisters or as executor, and one tenant in common has no power to enter into any agreement which will prejudice the estate of the others. Kingsland v. Ryckman, 5 Daly, 13.

Judgment in both cases reversed, and new trials ordered, with costs to appellants to abide the event. All concur.