Contracts II, Pages 873–884

J.N.A. Realty Corp. v. Cross Bay Chelsea, Inc.

Court of Appeals of New York, 1977

Facts:

Petitioner, leased its building to Palermo and Vascellero for a 10-year term including an option to renew for another 10-year term provided that the tenant notify petitioner six months prior to the last day of the lease. The tenants started a restaurant and assigned the lase to the corporation, but after almost four years, they were operating at a loss and so closed down and sold the restaurant and assigned the lease to respondent. As a condition of the sale, the seller was required to obtain a modification giving an option to renew for a 24-year term. Petitioner gave this, and respondent bought the restaurant, paying $155,000. $40,000 of this was for the fixtures and $115,000 was for the lease.

At that point, there were 5½ years remaining on the lease. Respondent reopened the restaurant and over the years made $15,000 worth of improvements. During the next five years, petitioner regularly informed respondent about its obligations such as taxes and insurance that were coming due. However, when the option to renew was due to expire, petitioner did not remind respondent about this, despite informing them of taxes due approximately the same time. Petitioner remembered the time period however, and informed respondent that the renewal time had lapsed a few months afterwards and that they would have to vacate the premises, as they had done with a previous tenant. Respondent notified petitioner of its intent to renew, but petitioner refused to honor due to being so late. Petitioner then petitioned to enforce the agreement while respondent asked for equity to relieve it form a forfeiture.

Procedural History:

  • The trial court held that respondent was entitled to equitable relief.

  • The Appellate Term affirmed.

  • The Appellate Division reversed and granted petitioner's petition.

Issue:

Can the respondent obtain equitable relief?

Rule:

Reasoning:

While an option is not exercisable outside of its time constraints, a court may excuse this condition if it would cause "disproportionate forfeiture." Default on an option usually does not result in this, as an option does not create any interest in the property. However, a tenant may suffer a disproportionate forfeiture when he has made valuable improvement on the property.

While the tenant was at fault, it was not in a culpable sense. Such a thing was minor and easy to forget. Meanwhile, the alternative is a forfeiture, which the gravity of the loss of is disproportionately greater.

However, petitioner could be prejudiced by be respondent's relief, which was not tried. It must therefore be resolved at a new trial.

Holding:

Yes, respondent can obtain equitable relief. Reversed and a new trial granted.

Dissenting Opinion:

Breitel: Relieving respondent upsets established precedent, introduces instability in business transactions, and disregards commercial realities. While alleged, there is no evidence that improvements were made after the date notice was to be given by. Mere negligence does not justify equitable relief, and economic loss alone does not either. The Appellate Division should be affirmed.