Henry v. Perry

Cobb, J. This was a proceeding instituted for the purpose of evicting in a summary way the defendant as a tenant at suf [631] ferance of the plaintiff. It is indispensable to the.maintenance of such a proceeding that the relation of landlord and tenant should exist between the plaintiff and the defendant. Civil Code, §4813; Watson v. Toliver, 103 Ga. 123; Story v. Epps, 105 Ga. 504. The evidence in the present case did not show that the relation of landlord and tenánt had ever existed between the plaintiff and the defendant. On the contrary, it appeared that the defendant had entered into possession under one who had obtained from the owner an option to purchase the land, and who with his permission entered uponjFe land for the purpose of prospecting for minerals during the continuance of the option. Although the time limited in the option had expired when the proceeding to evict the defendant was instituted, this did not cause the relation of landlord and tenant to arise between the person who had been put in possession by the holder of the option, and one who was the successor in title of the owner who had given the option. The verdict in favor of the plaintiff was unwarranted, and the judge erred in not granting a new trial. Judgment reversed. All the Justices concurring.