Alexander v. Hodges

Campbell, C. J. Judgment was rendered against plaintiff in error on the trial of an appeal-in summary proceedings under the Landlord and Tenant Act. The ground for these proceedings was his violation of the conditions of a lease, and the conditions broken, on which chief reli [693] anee was placed, were conditions against- encumbrances of furniture, and against violations of laws and ordinances relating to tbe business. Tbe premises leased were the billiard and wine rooms in the Brunswick Hotel, Detroit. The lease was on condition that all the property placed on the premises by the lessee “shall be kept absolutely free from all liens and encumbrances of every kind and nature.” There was a further condition requiring him “to fully comply with all laws and ordinances relating tp the business.” The lease also provided that in case of the non-performance of any of the covenants made by the lessee “ at any of the times mentioned for the performance thereof” it should be lawful for the lessors to “ re-enter, and the same to have again, retain, re-possess” etc., “and from and after such re-entry made, this lease, and every part thereof, shall cease and be absolutely void, as it respects the covenants to be performed by the said parties of the first part.” There was clear evidence of the existence of a chattel mortgage on some of the furniture, and of violations of laws and ordinances concerning the conduct of the business. But it is claimed for the lessee that the lease contains no provision for termination on the breach of these particular conditions, and that no proper steps were taken to terminate it if they were grounds of forfeiture, and that there had been a waiver. The only foundation for the first claim is that forfeiture was only allowed for the breach of conditions required to be performed at particular times. We think this is a strained and unnatural interpretation. The lease- required these particular conditions to be continuously performed, and a breach of them at any time would be a violation at the time mentioned for their performance. The conditions were important and such as the lessee could not violate without risk of injuring the reputation of the establishment. A seizure of goods or a breach of the laws against disorderly con [694] duct would have a direct tendency to create a prejudice against the landlord’s interests. It would be very singular if such conditions should be imposed and yet left to be violated with practical impunity. We think them clearly within the rule of forfeiture. If the conditions were continuous there is no reason to hold them waived by receipt of rent for any given time. The desire of the landlord to avoid coming to extremities if the lessee would mend his ways cannot be regarded as a waiver, but was laudable and calculated to further the interests of both. Where there is such a continuous obligation there is nothing to prevent the exercise of forbearance until it ceases to be desirable. It is claimed however that there was no such re-entry as the contract contemplates. Such an entry as is required by this lease cannot mean any more than a common law entry, and does not involve a successful ouster. A demand at such a time and place that if complied with possession would be at once secured is all that can possibly be needed. Such a demand appears here. Notice to quit was given not only conditionally but absolutely, and the lessee refused to give up the premises and notified the lessor their demand would be resisted. This was enough to show a clear assertion of right within the sense of the lease. The judgment must be affirmed with costs. The other Justices concurred.