Curtis v. Sturgis, Jackson & Co.

64 Mo. App. 535 | Mo. Ct. App. | 1896

Gill, J.

On May 15, 1892, defendants, by a written lease, rented from plaintiff a certain building in Nevada, Missouri, at a stipulated rent of $62.50 per month, payable monthly in advance. The lease was for a term of one year with “privilege of three,” the last clause thereof reading: “Should this lease be renewed, it will be on the same terms and conditions and obligations herein expressed, and should the second party and first party express consent to hold over, this lease will be thereby renewed.”

Defendant occupied the premises from the date of the lease (May 15, 1892) to September 15, 1893, and paid the monthly rent as provided in the lease; at which time they left the building, made tender thereof, together with rent due at that time, to plaintiff. She, however, declined to accept a surrender, and subsequently brought this action for rent of the premises, which was due, according to the terms of the lease, at the end of the second year, May 15, 1894.

On a trial by the court, sitting as a jury, there was judgment for plaintiff and defendants appealed.

On the facts disclosed by this record, the judgment below was for the right party and will be affirmed. The contract between the parties, as shown by the written lease, was to the effect that the defendants would take the property for a year, ending May 15, 1893, certainly, with an option of two years more on the same terms. And as to whether or not there was a renewal was left to the happening of the condition of the lessees’ holding over beyond the first year, with the express consent of the lessor. That defendants did hold over, and that it was with the assent of both parties, the evidence clearly shows. The contingency then happening, as was provided for in the original lease, the contract continued in operation for another term. The old contract then became as completely a binding obligation for another year as if a new lease had been written. Insurance Co. v. Bank, 5 Mo. App. 333, and same case, 71 Mo. 58. We may well say here, as was stated by Judge Hayden, in the case just cited: “A party who has an option is as much bound, when he has once exercised his option, as the other party to the contract. As, after making their election, the defendants had the right to enjoy a full term, so they become bound to pay rent for the full term as provided by the lease. The obligation was mutual and the ability to enforce implies the liability to respond.”

We have read the evidence entirely and notice the claim defendants’ counsel make that defendants by' their letter dated February 21, 1893, gave plaintiff notice of their intention to terminate the tenancy at the end of the first year. There is nothing in the letter that gives the slightest color to such contention. “Yes, we contemplate,” says the letter, “making a change this summer, although something may happen to change our minds, and if so, we would rather be where we are than any place else. We will give you ample notice when we desire to quit, that you may have plenty of time to secure a good and profitable tenant.” This was written in ■ answer to a letter written by the plaintiff from Colorado, where she was then staying. She had heard, she said, that defendants thought of moving their store, and in her letter the plaintiff requested them to remain. When defendants’ letter is considered in the light of subsequent events, it tends to prove the contrary of counsel’s contention. They continued to occupy the property, months, even, beyond the first year’s term, paid rent as usual, and even wrote to plaintiff suggesting that in May or June the sidewalk should be repaired, etc. This very clearly indicated an intention on defendants’ part to remain in the building and continue the leasein operation for a second year. Judgment affirmed.

All concur.