Rinfret Arruda v. Morrisey

Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Rinfret Arruda v. Morrisey, 69 A. 763 (R.I. 1908)
29 R.I. 223; 1908 R.I. LEXIS 39
Blodgett, Dubois, Johnson, Parkhurst

Rinfret Arruda v. Morrisey

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam.

The evidence clearly shows that on July 25, 1906, the date of issue of the writ in this action of trespass and ejectment, the plaintiffs, who were tenants of one Charles Rogers, under a tenancy from month to month, were in arrears in respect of their rent for more than fifteen days, whereby an immediate right of re-entry had then accrued to the landlord (Gen. Laws cap. 269, § 7), and that no rent has since been paid by them to the landlord to the time of trial on April 30,1907. It is also undisputed that the defendant was not in possession of the premises in question at the time of trial. We are of the opinion that the action of the landlord, Rogers, on July 5,1906, in accepting' Smith Bros., the defendant’s principals, as his tenants, must be considered as an assertion of his right to reenter for non-payment of rent by the plaintiffs which they may show as an outstanding superior right of possession sufficient to defeat the plaintiff’s right to possession at the time of bringing this action (C. P. A., § 404). In this form of action *224 the issue is as to the right of possession only. Damages, if any, are recoverable in a separate action for mesne profits, or other appropriate proceeding (C. P. A., §§ 615 and 617).

Maximilian L. Lizotte, for plaintiff. John C. Quinn, for defendant.

The defendant’s exception to the refusal of the trial court to grant a new trial on the ground that the verdict is contrary to the law is sustained, and the case is remitted to the Superior' Court with direction to enter judgment for the defendant for costs,

Reference

Full Case Name
Rinfret & Arruda vs. David H. Morrisey
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published