Remsen v. Reese

25 N.Y.S. 350, 72 Hun 370, 79 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 370, 55 N.Y. St. Rep. 484

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: October 13, 1893
• Status: Published

Opinion

PEE CTJEIAM.

Pursuant to a judgment in partition, the premises in question were sold to Robert F. Westcott, May 2, 1893, who then paid to the referee the required percentage of the purchase price. By the terms of sale, the remainder of the purchase price was to be paid, and the referee’s deed delivered, May 24th. On that day the purchaser tendered the purchase price, and offered to ■complete the sale, provided certain judgments were satisfied of record, or the judgment in partition so amended as to release the property from the lien of the judgments, and the purchaser put into actual possession of the premises. By an arrangement between the attorneys for the plaintiff and the purchaser, a motion to amend the judgment so as to require the referee to pay the money into court was argued May 29th, and the motion granted June 1st; the order also providing “that the referee complete said sale as of May 24, 1893, on payment to him of $26,550, the balance of the purchase money.’’ June 6th the purchaser served on the referee a certified copy of the order, and asked him to complete the sale as of May 24th, at the same time informing him that there was a tenant in possession, who was not a party to the action, and requesting that the referee deliver possession. The latter expressed a willingness to deliver the deed, and take the remainder of the purchase money, but said he could not deliver possession, and referred the purchaser to the plaintiff’s attorney. The attorney said that, he did not understand about the lease to the tenant, and referred the inquirer to a Mr. Cushman, who was his counsel in the action, and the attorney for the lessors; and he said that the tenant had had a written lease, which he thought had expired May 1st, and that since that time the possession of the occupant had been that of a tenant at will, and that he would go out if requested by the purchaser. To the inquiry, “Suppose the tenant will not go out at the request of the purchaser?” Mr. Cushman replied, “Then you can put him out.” The attorney for the purchaser at once said that the purchaser would not complete the sale on such terms. Subsequently, and on the same day, he asked the tenant to let him see the written lease; the answer being that “he couldn’t lay his hands on it, but would look for it.” Replying to the inquiry as to the terms under which he had possession, the tenant said, “As the matter seemed to be complicated; he would have to see his lawyer before saying anything about it.” June 14th the purchaser demanded of the referee a return of the money paid, and two days later purchased other real estate. Nearly a month later, and without having tendered to the purchaser possession together with the referee’s deed, and while the tenant was still in possession, this motion was made. The court decided that the purchaser was entitled to immediate possession; that, if it could not be given him, the motion should be denied, otherwise granted; and directed that the order be settled on notice. The following day, the lessor, in writing offered the tenant $100, and the rent for June and July, if he would surrender possession by 9 o’clock the following morning. The offer was accepted, the tenant gave up possession, and on the same day the lessor made affidavit to that effect, which, with another affidavit, was presented on the settlement of the order which directed the purchaser to pay over the remainder of the purchase price.

The court correctly stated the rule in its memorandum of decision, to the effect that such a motion will not be granted unless immediate possession can be given to the purchaser. The purchaser at a judicial sale is not required to accept a deed, and then struggle for possession. He is entitled to be put into possession when he accepts the conveyance and pays the purchase price. So, if it be necessary to offer a special inducement to the tenant to give up possession, as was done in this case, the purchaser is not called upon to do it The contrary view seems to have been entertained by the moving party until after the decision of the court, when possession was promptly obtained. But then it was too late. •Nearly two months had passed since the date fixed in the contract for the completion of the purchase, and more than one month since, failing to secure even a promise of possession with the deed, the purchaser had declared the contract at an end and demanded the repayment of the money paid by him. The order should be reversed, with $10 costs and printing disbursements, and the motion denied, with $10 costs.