Allbrand Discount Liquors, Inc. v. Times Square Stores Corp.

In an action by a lessee to recover damages for anticipatory breach of a commercial lease, the defendant appeals from (1) a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered March 16, 1977, which is in favor of plaintiff and against it, after a nonjury trial, and (2) an order of the same court, dated June 1, 1977, which denied its motion, inter alia, to vacate the judgment. Judgment and order affirmed, with one bill of costs to cover both appeals. The trial court’s finding that the lessor anticipatorily breached its lease when it told the lessee that it "could not live” with the lease as drawn and would not allow the lessee to take possession without renegotiation, was correct. Once it becomes clear that one party will not live up to the contract, the aggrieved party is relieved from the performance of futile acts, such as conditions precedent (Kooleraire Serv. & Installation Corp. v Board of Educ., 28 NY2d 101, 106 ). Thus, the failure of the lessee to apply for a liquor license is excusable, since it was not required to do so after it was told by the lessor that it would not be allowed to take possession under the lease. Finally, the failure of the trial court to consider evidence concerning the effect of the cost of living provision on the value of the leasehold was not improper, in view of the fact that no such evidence was ever offered at the trial (see Matter of Port of N. Y. Auth. [Lincoln Tunnel—Swift Co.], 1 AD2d 801 ). Rabin, J. P., Shapiro, Suozzi and O’Connor, JJ., concur.