Bronisz v. Cienkowski

Opinion by Williams, J., Plaintiff brought replevin to recover goods distrained for rent. In February, 1914, defendant, Cienkowski, leased certain premises to one Kupiec for two years. April 10, 1915, the lease was assigned Avith his Avritten permission to plaintiff. December 8, 1915, he notified plaintiff to quit. February 10,1916, he notified plaintiff that he had forfeited the leasehold by violating a covenant against subletting. Plaintiff did not remove and February 17th, Cienkowski entered judgment in an amicable action of ejectment. February 23d, plaintiff filed a petition to open the judgment, alleging, inter alia, that .he had purchased Kupiec’s, business and good will, and taken the assignment of the lease under the express understanding witli Cienkowski that “not only would the lease he as [526] signed to Mm, but that he would be allowed to remain for at least an additional term of, two years, after the expiration of the current term aforesaid.” The court opened the judgment and subsequently the landlord discontinued the proceedings and satisfied judgment. Plaintiff remained in possession of the premises, and June 14, 1916, defendants distrained for rent for one month in advance from June 10„ 1916. The court below, after directing a verdict for defendants, entered judgment n. o. v. for plaintiff, because the entry of judgment in ejectment had terminated the relation of landlord and tenant, and plaintiff remaining as a tenant by sufferance, no valid distress could be made. We do not think the relation of landlord and tenant had been extinguished. A landlord may waive the effect of an attempt to terminate the relation under a notice to quit, and this is undoubtedly true where both parties agree that the tenancy shall be continued: 24 Cyc. 1334. Lessee was in no way disturbed in Ms possession, and his admissions show that the term under which he remained was a continuation of the term purchased from Kupiec. The clause permitting a forfeiture, not being self-operating, and being for the benefit of the lessor, could be waived by him: Steele v. Maher, 38 Pa. Superior Ct. 183. Especially is this so where the lessee continues in possession under a claim of right, as appears from the record in this case. The judgment is reversed and the record remitted with direction to enter judgment on the verdict.