Caffin v. Scott
Caffin v. Scott
Opinion of the Court
This action was instituted to obtain the rescission of a lease, on the ground that the property leased is used by the defendant for an object different from that for which it was intended, to wit: that instead of the defendant’s using the lower story of the plaintiff’s house as a store, he uses it as a kitchen, which causes great inconvenience to the lessees who occupy the upper stories, and who threaten to abandon the same. An injunction was obtained to prevent the further use of the property in the manner complained of.
The defendant pleaded divers matters, to show his right of using the property as a kitchen and boarding house ; complained of being disturbed in his enjoyment of the rented premises; and reconvened, by claiming judgment against the plaintiff for $1000 damages.
This suit was brought about six months after the lease had commenced, which, as alleged in the petition, was to last one year, at the rate of $80 per month ; but was tried after the expiration of said lease. The plaintiff’s cause of action had therefore ceased to exist at the time of the trial; and had it not been for the re-conventional demand, the proper course, perhaps, would have been, to dismiss the suit.
But it was found necessary to try the suit, not only to ascertain upon whom the costs were to be thrown, but also to give effect to the defendant’s reconventional plea, which he does not appear to have abandoned. The court below rendered a judgment for costs against the defendant, and he has appealed.
Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.