Termination Notice Was Valid

Landlord, a not-for-profit organization providing room and common space to tenant, sued to evict tenant after sending him a 30-day termination notice. Tenant asked the court to dismiss the case, claiming that the termination notice was signed by someone who wasn't the landlord and without proof that landlord had authorized that person to sign the notice. The court ruled against tenant. There were substantial prior dealings between tenant and the person who signed the notice. She was the program director at landlord's facility, had signed prior leases with tenant, and had numerous dealings and communications with tenant for several years before signing the termination notice.

Mental Health Association v. Joosten: NYLJ, 6/25/08, p. 29, col. 3 (Dist. Ct. Nassau; Fairgrieve, J)