Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Havana Central: Tort Liability and Holdover Tenants

By Gerald M. Levine
September 29, 2008

A recent split decision by a New York appellate court in Havana Central v. O'Lunney's Pub Inc., 49 AD3d 70, 852 NYS2d 32 (Dec. 27, 2007), upholding an incoming tenant's claim against a prior tenant for failing to vacate premises at the expiration of its lease, has generated substantial comment and bewilderment in the real estate bar. (The full bench affirmed an order of Justice Louis B. York granting summary judgment dismissing individual defendants as well as the other tort causes of action.)

According to the majority, the landlord's inability to give possession of the premises on the lease commencement date is not just an inconvenient, nonactionable delay. Simply holding over gives rise to a claim for tortious interference with contract. The implication of this decision, were it to be followed, is sufficiently important to warrant examining the court's reasoning more critically. This article focuses on the possible impact of the decision on the real estate leasing market, drafting appropriate lease provisions, and settled landlord/tenant law particularly as it concerns end-of-lease issues.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office Image

A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.

New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.

Bit Parts Image

Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights

Risks of “Baseball Arbitration” in Resolving Real Estate Disputes Image

“Baseball arbitration” refers to the process used in Major League Baseball in which if an eligible player's representative and the club ownership cannot reach a compensation agreement through negotiation, each party enters a final submission and during a formal hearing each side — player and management — presents its case and then the designated panel of arbitrators chooses one of the salary bids with no other result being allowed. This method has become increasingly popular even beyond the sport of baseball.

Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel Image

'Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel is a continuation of the discussion of client expectations and the disconnect that often occurs. And although the outside attorneys should be pursuing how inside-counsel actually think, inside counsel should make an effort to impart this information without waiting to be asked.