East Park Street Corp. v. Kalliodis

Per Curiam: The facts here disclosed show that the relationship of landlord and tenant did not exist between the respondent and appellants and that this proceeding cannot be maintained. When it was instituted, August 5, 1924, the respondent had already leased the premises, including those occupied by appellants, to O’Keefe. While the appellants had knowledge that respondent claimed to be assignee of the lease under which they held, they at no time attorned to it, or recognized it in any way as landlord. On the other hand, between May 1, 1924, and August 1, 1924, they paid rent to O’Keefe who was then in possession of the whole premises under his lease from the respondent for the term beginning May 1, 1924. While respondent under the terms of its lease with O’Keefe was obligated to give notice of termination to appellants as provided by the terms of the lease between them and Ehler Meyer, and to “ take such [366] steps thereafter as may be reasonable, proper and necessary to cause the removal ” of the defendants, this covenant could not effect the relationship of landlord and tenant between respondent and appellants. There was nothing in this provision that retained in the respondent any right to possession. It parted with this right, if it ever possessed it, when it leased the whole premises to O’Keefe. It is in a different situation, therefore, from a landlord who makes a lease to commence on the termination of an existing lease, for as against the tenant'holding over the landlord in such case has the right of possession. (Eells v. Morse, 208 N. Y. 103.) Here the defendants’ lease had nearly two years to run when the plaintiff leased to O’Keefe. Final order reversed, with thirty dollars costs, and proceeding dismissed, with costs. All concur; present, Guy, O’Malley and Levy, JJ.