87 A. 796 | Conn. | 1913
The lessor, the Lyceum Theatre Company, was, under its covenant to repair, bound to maintain the seats of its theatre in reasonable repair. *239
The lessee, the Jackson Amusement Company, could enforce this covenant, but, since it is merely a covenant to repair premises in control of the lessee, the liability of the lessor thereon could arise only after notice to, or the presence of facts from which the law would imply knowledge of the defect by, the lessor.Miles v. Janvrin,
When the lessor has had such notice or knowledge and thereafter fails to make the necessary repairs, or makes them in a negligent manner, he is liable for damage resulting to the lessee as a consequence of his negligence.
The lessor's liability rests upon his negligent failure to perform his contractual duty, or his performance of that duty in a negligent manner. His liability in tort is based upon his negligent breach of a duty owed his lessee through the contract of lease. Dustin v. Curtis,
Breach of duty by the lessor cannot be predicated upon mere failure to perform. Marley v. Wheelwright,
In the case before us the contract of lease did not provide for notice to the lessor; the law implied that notice of the defect must be given it, or knowledge had of it, before a breach of duty rendering it liable to the lessee could exist. No such notice was given, and no *240 knowledge of the necessity for the repair to the seat possessed by the defendant; hence there existed no basis for an action by the lessee against it for injuries from the defective seat.
The lessee had always been in the habit of making all repairs required upon the chairs; because of this habit an additional obligation rested upon the lessee to give the lessor notice of the defect before attempting to hold it liable for damage from the defect.
The authorities differ as to the right of a stranger to the contract of lease to sue the lessor for injuries suffered by him through the failure of the lessor to carry out his contract to repair. For instance, New Jersey holds the want of privity a bar to the action unless the injured person be upon the premises by invitation of the lessor. Clyne v. Helmes,
Assuming that such an action might lie, it is clear upon principle and the better authority that the right of action by a guest of a lessee against the lessor in virtue of his covenant to repair cannot be broader than his right of action against the lessee. Cummings v.Ayer,
Without notice, actual or constructive, to the lessor, the guest of the lessee, even in those jurisdictions which permit the action, can have no action against the lessor, since the lessor would not be guilty of any breach of duty toward him, and this is the foundation of an action of this character. Hutchinson v. Cummings,
The lessee did not insure the absolute safety of the theatre seats; it, by its invitation to its guests, assumed the duty toward them of exercising reasonable care to see that the seats were in reasonably safe condition for its guests. Turgeon v. Connecticut Co.,
The plaintiffs failed to present evidence which, viewed in its most favorable light, supported a cause of action against either lessee or lessor; the duty of the trial court to grant a nonsuit was a plain one.
There is no error.
In this opinion the other judges concurred.
