Doss v. Craig

1 Colo. 177

• Court: Supreme Court of Colorado
• Decided: July 15, 1869
• Status: Published

Opinion

Eyster, J.

(after stating the facts). In order to maintain a suit under the act it is absolutely, and essentially necessary that the plaintiff shall have first made a demand in writing for the delivery of the premises in question. Until this is done he can have no relief under the statute. This being the law, it was the duty of the plaintiff, if such demand was made, to set it out in Ms petition as a substantial fact, as required in section 11 of the act. He does not make any suck averment in Ms petition, and of it the defendant complains. It was contended by the defendant in error that the defendant’s plea of title in himself was a waiver of any such right to a written demand for the possession of the premises. This is not the law in this case. A party may, by a plea of title in himself, waive a right to notice of the determination of a tenancy, but in this proceeding a demand in writing for the possession of the premises in controversy is widely different from a notice to terminate a tenancy. It was intended by the legislature by such notice to give the defendant an opportunity to surrender the possession and avoid expensive litigation. It is analogous to the demand required in replevin, and as it relates to the possession of lands, the legislature made it more formal, and provided that it must be in writing. Time is not material, it may be made a month or a day before action brought, but it must be made and it must be in writing. A demand, formal according to all of the requirements of the law, and set out in writing, if read to the party, is not sufficient. It must be made in writing and left with the party or it is no demand. 24 Minor, 192. A party cannot be guilty of wrongful detainer until after this demand has been made upon him. Nor. was it cured by the verdict. It is of so important a character in this proceeding that no judgment could be rightly rendered against defendant unless it was alleged in the petition, or the absence of it expressly waived. The judgment of the court below is reversed.

Reversed.