296 F. 1011 | D.C. Cir. | 1924
For several years plaintiff in error had leased of the defendant in error an apartment under yearly leases, the last of which was to expire on or about September 30, 1922. The premises actually were occupied by a subtenant, although there was a covenant' in the lease against subletting. Defendant in error duly served on plaintiff in error a 30-day notice to vacate the premises.
At the trial plaintiff m error contended that the provision against subletting had been waived, and that under the terms of the Ball Rent Act, as amended (42 Stat. 543), defendant in error was not entitled to possession as against him. The court, finding “that during the entire period of the lease the premises were occupied by subtenants,” ruled that plaintiff in error was not in a position to invoke the provisions of the Ball Rent Act, and that as against him the judgment must be for defendant in error.
Unless the provisions of the Ball Rent Act, as amended, apply, plaintiff in error, at the expiration of his lease, became a tenant at sufferance, liable to be dispossessed under a notice served upon him. Morse v. Brainerd, 42 App. D. C. 448. But plaintiff in error, who had assumed the role of landlord and surrendered possession to another, was not a tenant within the meaning of that act, section 109a of which provides:
“And such tenant shall not he evicted or dispossessed so long as he pays the rent and performs the other terms and conditions of the tenancy," etc.
We agree, therefore, with the ruling of the trial court that plaintiff in error is not entitled to invoke the provisions of the Ball Rent Act. Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed, with costs.
Affirmed.