Watkins v. Dorothy A. McCartney

SHAW, J.

Action in unlawful detainer. Plaintiff had judgment, from which defendants appeal.

As alleged in the complaint, plaintiff, on September 1, 1920, upon an oral agreement for a monthly tenancy, let the premises in question to defendants at a rental of thirty-five dollars a month, under which defendants took possession thereof. On January 11, 1921, plaintiff served upon defendants a notice that said lease would be terminated and defendants required to surrender and quit possession of the premises at the expiration of the month commencing February 1, 1921, and thereafter, on March 3d, served a three-day notice requiring them to vacate the premises.

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By their answer defendants alleged that on October 2, 1920, plaintiff executed and delivered to defendant Dorothy A. McCartney a document reading as follows:

“2659 Ocean Front, Ocean Park, Calif.

“10/2/20.

“It is agreed that Dorothy A. McCartney may keep my property, No. 2711 Ocean Front, Ocean Park, at monthly rental of $35.00 per month, and forty dollars for July and August until a

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fied sale is made, sixty days notice.

“Received of Dorothy A. McCartney $35.00 rent in full to November 1st, 20.

“(Signed) Henry Watkins.” Under which defendant Dorothy A. McCartney entered into possession of the premises and at all the times occupied the same; and further alleged that it was understood and agreed that said lease should not be terminated by plaintiff, except upon sixty days’ notice thereof given to said lessee.

The court found that plaintiff signed and delivered the above-quoted agreement, but that- the same was not signed by defendants or either of them, from which, as a conclusion of law, it found that the tenancy was terminated by the written notice of less than sixty days so served upon defendants by plaintiff. In so doing we think the court erred. Since defendant Dorothy A. McCartney entered into possession under the terms of the instrument, her obligation was not affected by her failure to sign the same. Where a lease recites that the lessee is to pay a certain sum as rent for the premises, his acceptance of the lease makes him a direct obligor or promisor to pay the rent during his occupation thereof, although he has not signed or executed the instrument. (Jones on Landlord and Tenant, sec. 77;