Opinion
2020-842 N C
12-09-2021
CARNEY REALTY CORP., Respondent, v. ELITE TENT AND PARTY RENTAL, Appellant.
Rosenthal, Curry & Kranz, LLP (Edward M. Rosenthal and Patrick W. Curry of counsel), for appellant. Law Office of Judah Z. Cohen, PLLC (Judah Z. Cohen of counsel), for respondent.
Rosenthal, Curry & Kranz, LLP (Edward M. Rosenthal and Patrick W. Curry of counsel), for appellant.
Law Office of Judah Z. Cohen, PLLC (Judah Z. Cohen of counsel), for respondent.
PRESENT: TERRY JANE RUDERMAN, P.J., ELIZABETH H. EMERSON, TIMOTHY S. DRISCOLL, JJ.
ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, without costs, and the matter is remitted to the City Court for further proceedings.
Landlord commenced this commercial nonpayment proceeding in November 2019. Tenant answered and interposed various counterclaims. Before the start of a nonjury trial, tenant, on the record, surrendered possession of the premises and returned the keys to landlord's agent. In a decision dated May 8, 2020, the City Court specified that it found "the issue of possession resolved" and awarded landlord $38,789.42, which included an abatement based upon tenant's counterclaims. A "monetary judgment," dated May 8, 2020, was entered in landlord's favor in the principal sum of $38,789.42.
On appeal, tenant argues that it is entitled to a complete abatement due to landlord's actions. However, we do not reach the merits of tenant's contention, as the "money judgment" was improperly entered, and cannot stand, as there was no concomitant award of possession to landlord (see Fieldbridge Assoc., LLC v Sanders , 70 Misc 3d 140[A], 2021 NY Slip Op 50128[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2021]; Patchogue Assoc. v Sears, Roebuck & Co. , 37 Misc 3d 1 [App Term, 2d Dept, 9th & 10th Jud Dists 2012]; 615 Nostrand Ave. Corp. v Roach , 15 Misc 3d 1 [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d & 11th Jud Dists 2006]).
Accordingly, the judgment is reversed and the matter is remitted to the City Court for further proceedings.
RUDERMAN, P.J., EMERSON and DRISCOLL, JJ., concur.