Walker v. Keith: Difference between revisions

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|issues=Is a contract to enter a [https://www.quimbee.com/keyterms/future-covenant future covenant] enforceable if it fails to specify all essential terms of the future covenant?
|issues=Is a contract to enter a [https://www.quimbee.com/keyterms/future-covenant future covenant] enforceable if it fails to specify all essential terms of the future covenant?
|holding=Commissioner Clay: A contract to form a future covenant must specify all essential terms of the future covenant, leaving nothing for further negotiations.
|holding=Commissioner Clay: A contract to form a future covenant must specify all essential terms of the future covenant, leaving nothing for further negotiations.
The renewal clause is un-enforceable. Decision in favor of Walker (the landlord).
|judgment=Reversed
|reasons=* A lease is a contract.
|reasons=* A lease is a contract.
* Rent is a material term of any lease.
* Rent is a material term of any lease.

Latest revision as of 00:05, January 28, 2024

Walker v. Keith
Court Kentucky Court of Appeals
Citation 382 S.W.2d 198
Date decided October 16, 1964

Facts

  • Walker = the landlord = plaintiff in the appeal court
  • Keith = a lease-holder = the defendant = tenant
  • Walker leased a small lot to Keith for 10 years at $100/month
  • At the end of the 10 years, then tenant (Keith) had the option to renew the lease
  • At the end of the 10 years, the monthly rent could jump
  • At the end of the 10 years, the 2 parties couldn't agree on the monthly rent amount

Procedural History

  • Keith sued Walker to enforce the renewal option.
  • The Kentucky trial court ruled in favor of Keith.
  • Walker was ordered to rent his lot out to Keith at $125/month.

Issues

Is a contract to enter a future covenant enforceable if it fails to specify all essential terms of the future covenant?

Holding

Commissioner Clay: A contract to form a future covenant must specify all essential terms of the future covenant, leaving nothing for further negotiations.

The renewal clause is un-enforceable. Decision in favor of Walker (the landlord).

Judgment

Reversed

Reasons

  • A lease is a contract.
  • Rent is a material term of any lease.

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