Eppstein v. Kuhn

80 N.E. 80, 225 Ill. 115

• Court: Illinois Supreme Court
• Decided: December 22, 1906
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mr. Justice Farmer

delivered the opinion of the court:

Appellants’ contention is, that the defect in the title on account of the occupancy of the premises by McDonnell was not a substantial and material one; that appellee knew McDonnell was in the possession of the premises when the contract was made, and that as appellants offered to perform the contract so far as they were able to, and convey all the title they had to the premises, a decree for a specific performance could amount to nothing more than they had offered to do, and that in such cases it is not the province of a court of equity to award specific performance and abate from the purchase price the damages sustained by the-vendee for the failure to convey the premises free from the encumbrance; that in such case the law affords a complete and adequate remedy and jurisdiction will not be assumed by a court of equity. Appellee has assigned cross-errors challenging the correctness of that part of the decree finding the amount to be abated from the balance of the purchase price.

The proof shows McDonnell had a written lease, under seal, of the premises from April 15, 1902, to April 15, 1904, at the rate of $50 per month. The lease gave McDonnell the option to extend it on the same terms to April 15, 1907. On March 24, 1904, Samuel Eppstein wrote McDonnell telling him if he desired to retain the building another year under the old agreement he could do so,' and requesting a reply by return mail. McDonnell testified that to the best of his recollection he replied to that letter, accepting the offer. ' He kept no copy or memorandum of the reply, and Eppstein testified he received no answer to his letter. By the terms of the lease the rent was payable on the 15th day of each month. Whether there was any reply by McDonnell to the letters of Eppstein or not, the proof , shows McDonnell paid the rent April 15, May 18 and June 15, 1904, and these payments were endorsed upon the lease by Eppstein or his agent. The proof shows appellee knew McDonnell was in possession of the premises, but we do not think it shows he knew what McDonnell’s rights were or what he claimed them to be. McDonnell’s possession was spoken of by appellee and Samuel Eppstein on the day the contract for sale was made, and Eppstein told appellee McDonnell had no lease on the premises and no right to retain possession of them. ■ McDonnell ■ came into the store of appellee on the day the contract for sale was made and Eppstein told him appellee was his new landlord. He appears to have said very little about his intentions with reference to giving up or withholding possession of the premises. Samuel Eppstein testified that after the contract was signed he went to McDonnell’s place of business, told him he had sold the property to appellee, and that McDonnell said he supposed he would have to vacate then, and that he' replied to him that he could see Mr. Kuhn about that. This was before McDonnell came into appellee’s store and appellee was introduced to him as his new landlord. Eppstein testified that when this occurred McDonnell said, “I expect I will" have to get put then,” to which appellee replied, “We will fix that all right.” Appellee testified that McDonnell laughed when Eppstein introduced appellee to him as his new landlord, and said he didn’t want to know him, or words to that effect. McDonnell testified that his recollection was that appellee said he would not want th¿ building for thirty days, and that he replied when the time came for him to vacate he thought thére would be no trouble in getting him out. The proof does not show any acknowledgment by McDonnell that he had no right to retain possession of the building nór any agreement by him to vacate. He testified he intended to retain possession if he had a right to, and that he employed counsel for that purpose; that shortly after the contract for sale was made appellee came to the building with an architect to measure the room, and he told appellee he need not measure it as he intended to stay there, and showed him the letter of March 24 from Samuel Eppstein, offering to let him have the premises for another year under the terms of the lease. According to the testimony McDonnell sometimes claimed he had a right to the premises for one year from the expiration of the old lease, and sometimes three years. When Samuel Eppstein was notified by appellee of McDonnell’s refusal to vacate and of his claim of right to retain possession he went to see McDonnell, and McDonnell told him that he was standing on his rights and refused to vacate. Samuel Eppstein testified'"he consulted with counsel about compelling him to vacate, and was advised it would probably take a long time to do that, and that he then offered to deduct $200 from the purchase price and settle the matter; that appellee said he would give McDonnell $200 for possession, and afterwards informed Eppstein that he had offered him $400, but that McDonnell refused to accept it and vacate the premises. ■ Being unable to settle the question of possession, Eppstein afterwards notified appellee he could either accept the deed or he would withdraw it and return the cash payment made, upon the surrender of the contract.

We find no proof in the record that appellee knew anything about the lease of the premises from Eppstein to McDonnell, or its terms, or of the letter of March 24, 1904, from Eppstein to McDonnell, or of the payment of the rent by McDonnell after the expiration of the term, originally provided for by the lease. Neither do we think it is proven by the testimony that appellee was informed of McDonnell’s rights, or what he claimed to be his rights, at the time the contract for the purchase of the premises was made." Eppstein’s position then was, and the position of his counsel now is, that McDonnell was merely a tenant from month to month, and that the claim set up by him of the right to hold the premises for either one or three years was without any foundation whatever. , .

When this case was before this' court on the former appeal it was held that if McDonnell’s tenancy was for a term of years the lease was an encumbrance on the property. In Goldsborough v. Gable, 140 Ill. 269, it was held that where a tenant for a term of years remains in possession after the expiration of the' term described in the lease, without any new contract authorizing him to do so, it is optional with the landlord to treat him as a trespasser or waive the wrong of holding over and treat him as a tenant, and by accepting payment of a month’s rent after the expiration of the term of the lease the landlord makes his election to treat the party as -a tenant from year to year, upon the same terms as is provided in the original lease. This rule could have no application where a new contract is made between the landlord and tenant under which the tenant remains in possession. ( Weber v. Powers, 213 Ill. 370.) Here there does not appear to have been any new contract made between the landlord and tenant. It is true, a son of appellant testifies that some time before the lease expired McDonnell told him he would not want to continue the lease. But we do not think the circumstances under which this statement was made could deprive McDonnell of the privilege of claiming the option given him by the covenants of the lease. In addition to this provision of the lease, as we have before stated, Eppstein wrote McDonnell a letter proposing to give him another year’s occupancy of the premises under the same terms provided in the lease. Whether this proposition was accepted by letter or not is not made clear by the testimony. But independently of this letter, McDonnell had a right, under the covenants of the lease, to continue in possession without any new contract. This proposition as a correct statement of law is admitted by counsel for appellants, but it is claimed that McDonnell refused to claim the benefit of the option contained in the lease,—refused to accept a continuance of his tenancy beyond the expiration of the original term therein provided and notified Eppstein of that fact.

In addition to the testimony of Samuel Eppstein’s son, above referred to, Eppstein relies upon some other correspondence to which our attention is called. On February 13, 1904, Samuel Eppstein wrote McDonnell that his lease would expire April 15 next, and inquiring whether he wanted to continue in the occupation of the premises, and informing him if he did not he would rent to some one else. He asked for a reply by return mail, but says none was ever received, but that later he received a letter from McDonnell dated March 19, 1904, as follows:

“Dear Sir—Not having definite understanding with your son while here, I would like to know if you desire me to vacate room when my lease expires. An early reply will oblige.”

Eppstein’s letter to McDonnell of March 24 was in reply to that letter, and, as we have said, as to whether McDonnell replied to Eppstein the evidence is conflicting.

Considering all this testimony in connection with the acceptance of the rent after the expiration of the original term of the lease, we. are of opinion the evidence does not show McDonnell abandoned or waived his rights under the lease. Said lease was therefore an encumbrance upon the premises, the existence of which, and its nature and extent, were unknown to appellee at the time the contract for the purchase of the premises was made.

In addition to the other relief prayed by the bill, the prayer asked that SamueJ Eppstein and John B. McDonnell be required to interplead and adjust the controversy between them, and we are of opinion that under the decisions in this State appellee was entitled to resort to a court of equity for the relief prayed, and that under the facts the court properly decreed him to be entitled to a conveyance of the premises. Snyder v. Spaulding, 57 Ill. 480; Lancaster v. Roberts, 144 id. 213; Bragg v. Olson, 128 id. 540; Hunt v. Smith, 139 id. 296; Bishop v. Newton, 20 id. 175; Morgan v. Smith, 11 id. 194; Mathison v. Wilson, 87 id. 51; Wallace v. McLaughlin, 57 id. 53.

We are of opinion, however, the court erred in holding appellee was entitled to only nominal damages. Under the facts disclosed by the proof the premises were subject to ah encumbrance of the lease to McDonnell for at least one year from April 15, 1904. Eppstein having contracted to convey appellee the premises free from all encumbrances July 1, 1904, appellee was entitled to have deducted from the purchase price the amount the premises were depreciated in value, if they were depreciated, by reason of the existence of the encumbrance.

Appellee also offered testimony before the master to prove the depreciation in the value of the premises by reason of the fire, but his claim in this respect was disallowed. The proof shows the reason the conveyance was not made was because Eppstein was unable to comply with his contract by conveying a title that was clear of all encumbrances. The rule is, that where in such cases a loss to the premises occurs by fire before the vendor is in a position to convey a good title, such loss will fall on him. Lombard v. Chicago Sinai Congregation, 64 Ill. 477; Same v. Same, 75 id. 271; Phinisy v. Guernsey, 78 Am. St. Rep. 207; 29 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law, (2d ed.) 713.

The proof in this record is not in that satisfactory condition upon the question of the amount appellee is entitled to have abated from the purchase price that we feel warranted in determining said amount from said testimony. That part of the decree, therefore, holding that appellee is entitled to a specific performance will be affirmed, and that part of it .holding that McDonnell had no. interest in the premises except that of possession, subject only to the demand of the owner, and awarding appellee only nominal damages, will be ■reversed and the cause remanded, with directions to the circuit court to hear further testimony of the parties, or either of them, as to the difference in the value of the premises, if any, resulting from the encumbrance by virtue of the lease to McDonnell and the deterioration in the market value caused by the fire. If the proof shows that the market value of the premises has been diminished by one or both of these causes, the amount of such diminution is to be deducted from the $7000 and a conveyance ordered made to appellee upon payment of the balance.

Appellee has furnished an "additional abstract and asks that it be taxed to appellants. This motion is denied.

Reversed in part and remanded, with directions.