Reste Realty v. Cooper: Difference between revisions

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|procedural_history=* In 1964, Reste sued Cooper for un-paid rent for the balance of Cooper's lease term
|procedural_history=*In 1964, Reste sued Cooper for un-paid rent for the balance of Cooper's lease term
* Cooper won in the trial court  
*Cooper won in the trial court
* The trial court found that Cooper was the subject of a [https://www.quimbee.com/keyterms/constructive-eviction constructive eviction]
*The trial court found that Cooper was the subject of a [https://www.quimbee.com/keyterms/constructive-eviction constructive eviction]
*Cooper lost in the Appellate Division
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|issues=May a tenant vacate leased premises & avoid future rent payments if a landlord seriously interferes with the premises' intended use & enjoyment?
|holding=Yes. A landlord's serious interference with the premises' intended use & enjoyment of premises constitutes constructive eviction, justifying the tenant's departure & relieving further rent obligations.
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|link=https://www.quimbee.com/cases/reste-realty-corp-v-cooper
|link=https://www.quimbee.com/cases/reste-realty-corp-v-cooper

Revision as of 19:53, April 27, 2024

Reste Realty v. Cooper
Court New Jersey Supreme Court
Citation 251 A.2d 268
Date decided March 17, 1969

Facts

  • In 1958, Mrs. Cooper rented the basement floor of an office building for business meetings & training sessions
  • Because of construction defects in the driveway, Cooper's rented space became flooded whenever it rained
  • After re-surfacing by the proprietor, the rain leaks became worse
  • After the former building manager died in 1961, the new building manager ignored Cooper's leak complaints
  • Cooper's meetings & trainings were disrupted because of the water leaks
  • After a rainstorm that flooded the building basement at 5 inches in December 1961, Cooper submitted a notice & vacated the premises
  • Reste Realty Corp. = "Reste" = the new management company of Cooper's building in New Jersey in 1962
  • Cooper's lease was assigned to Reste in 1962

Procedural History

  • In 1964, Reste sued Cooper for un-paid rent for the balance of Cooper's lease term
  • Cooper won in the trial court
  • The trial court found that Cooper was the subject of a constructive eviction
  • Cooper lost in the Appellate Division

Issues

May a tenant vacate leased premises & avoid future rent payments if a landlord seriously interferes with the premises' intended use & enjoyment?

Holding

Yes. A landlord's serious interference with the premises' intended use & enjoyment of premises constitutes constructive eviction, justifying the tenant's departure & relieving further rent obligations.

Resources