Steininger v. Williams

63 Ga. 475

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: September 15, 1879
• Status: Published

Opinion

Jackson, Justice.

1. The contract for the rent of the place was made on-the 25th of December, 1875, for the year 1876, and it is-insisted that it is within the statute of frauds, and must be in writing. We think that the Code controls it now, whatever may have been the rule before, as laid down in 31 Ga., 507; for section 2280 of the Code declares that “contracts creating the relation of landlord and tenant for anytime, not exceeding one year, may be by parol.”

2. Besides, Steininger was in possession under the contract two months, and paid rent thereon, according to-plaintiffs evidence, and therefore the contract was executed. Code, §1951. It was part performance, and to break it would operate to the injury of plaintiff, depriving her of opportunity to rent. Code, §1951; 53 Ga., 98 ; 55 198.

3. The main question was for the jury, and they have-decided it. It is, was there actually a contract for rent, or a mere promise to contract at a future day? If the former,, the remedy by distress is good ; if the latter,.there should have been a suit for damages for the deceit or failure to-make the contract. In either event, the figure the defendant would make in a court of justice is not to be envied.

The jury found with the plaintiffs version of the contract, that the house was actually rented, there is evidence-to support that finding, the judge who tried the case sustains it, and under our rule we sustain him.

Judgment affirmed.