138 Misc. 2d 399 | N.Y. App. Term. | 1988
Lead Opinion
OPINION OF THE COURT
Final judgment entered August 6, 1986 modified by granting a possessory judgment against respondent Joel Leshin and, as modified, affirmed, with $25 costs to the appellants.
We conclude that the landlords’ acceptance of the rent checks alluded to above did not operate as a waiver of a known right or an assent to Joel Leshin’s status as a tenant (Sullivan v Brevard Assocs., 66 NY2d 489, 495). The landlords were never formally advised that Gary Leshin had vacated and that Joel Leshin was continuing in sole occupancy. Indeed, Gary Leshin executed a renewal lease for the period December 1982 through November 1985, notwithstanding that he had already vacated the premises. If anything, there was an obvious attempt here, to deceive the landlords as to the true occupant of the apartment premises. The mere payment of rent with checks drawn on a joint account would not have apprised the landlords that Gary Leshin had abandoned or that Joel Leshin was asserting independent rights of tenancy.
Accordingly, we modify so as to grant a final judgment of possession against Joel Leshin. Even assuming that Joel Leshin originally entered into possession with Gary Leshin, Joel is not himself entitled to a renewal lease (Sullivan v Brevard Assocs., 66 NY2d 489, supra). Our decision in East Four-Forty Assocs. v Ewell (138 Misc 2d 235, 243-248), holding the succession provisions of the amended Rent Stabilization Code invalid and unenforceable, precludes Joel Leshin from succeeding to the apartment as a member of the departed tenant’s family.
Issuance of the warrant of eviction shall be stayed for 60 days from the service of a copy of the order of this court with notice of entry.
Concurrence Opinion
(concurring). I agree that there is insufficient evidence to establish that landlords knowingly accepted Joel Leshin as a tenant. However, the Housing Court having found that Gary Leshin and Joel Leshin entered into occupancy at the same time, Joel Leshin is entitled to a renewal lease under section 2523.5 (b) (1) of the amended Rent Stabilization Code (9 NYCRR) as a member of the tenant’s family "who has resided in the housing accommodation as a primary resident from the inception of the tenancy” (see, East Four-Forty Assocs. v Ewell, 138 Misc 2d 235, 249 [dissenting opn]). Because of the majority holding in East Four-Forty Assocs. v Ewell, supra), I am constrained to concur in the result reached here.
Sandifer and Ostrau, JJ., concur; Parness, J. P., concurs in a separate memorandum.