Tenant Refused to Answer Court's Question

LVT Number: 13015

Landlord sued to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent. The court ruled for landlord based on tenant's default, and tenant appealed. The appeals court ruled against tenant. Although tenant appeared in court, he refused to answer the court's question as to whether he owed the back rent landlord claimed was owed. Since tenant didn't answer landlord's petition, the court properly issued a default judgment.

Landlord sued to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent. The court ruled for landlord based on tenant's default, and tenant appealed. The appeals court ruled against tenant. Although tenant appeared in court, he refused to answer the court's question as to whether he owed the back rent landlord claimed was owed. Since tenant didn't answer landlord's petition, the court properly issued a default judgment.

Poughkeepsie Housing Auth. v. Lee: NYLJ, p. 28, col. 4 (1/8/99) (App. T. 2 Dept.; DiPaola, PJ, Ingrassia, Palella, JJ)