McCargo v. Matul

PEEK, J. On April 29, 1942, respondent John McCargo leased to one William E. Dart a parcel of land in Placer County comprising approximately three acres, which was part of a tract of fifty acres owned by respondent. The leased portion consisted of virgin soil from which the trees and brush had been removed by the prior lessee. The term of the lease was two years, the consideration being merely nominal due to the fact that Dart’s predecessor had paid in advance for the entire term but had been compelled to vacate possession prior to termination thereof. On March 26, 1943, Dart, with the consent of respondent, assigned all his right, title and interest in said lease and premises to appellant Sam A. Matul. Appellant went into possession and undertook to carry on the cultivation of the nursery stock then on the premises.

The lease contained the conventional covenants permitting the landlord to enter the premises at reasonable times for inspection, prohibiting waste or damage to the land, and providing for the termination of the lease and a right to compensation for damages in the event of a breach of any of the covenants or conditions thereof.

Sometime prior to the end of April, 1944, respondent became convinced that appellant was operating the premises in a careless and unworkmanlike manner, which would result in injury to the soil. However, he offered appellant a renewal of the lease at a substantial increase in the rental, and also notified appellant that, unless this were accepted, possession of the premises would be demanded by respondent, together with compensation for any damage caused to the property. Appellant refused to entertain the offer.

On June 15th, and again on July 17, 1944, respondent gave notice of default and made demand for performance of the covenants and conditions of the lease, or possession, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure and,the terms of the lease. Upon appellant’s failure to comply with said demands the present action in unlawful detainer was instituted. Respondent by his complaint claimed damages for the alleged negligent conduct in the operation of the nursery whereby the top soil of the leased premises was washed away or eroded by improper irrigation, and the fertility and vitality of the land were depleted by permitting the nursery stock to remain undug and unharvested for a period of three years. At the conclusion of the hearing the trial court gave judgment for respondent and assessed [351]the damages at $300. Appellant’s motion for a new trial, directed largely to the amount of the award, was denied.