Case Type

Non-payment

Court

Civil Court of the City of New York

County

Kings County (Brooklyn)

L&T / Index / Case / Docket / Clerk's Number

LT-309872-23/KI

Petitioner

Sea Park East LP

Respondent

Geraldine Beltran

Judge

Grant, K.

Decision/Order Date

2024-01-12

Posture

Post-answer Motion by Landlord

Disposition

Case Dismissed/discontinued

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

In this non-payment case, the landlord sought to amend the petition while the tenant raised a cross-motion to dismiss the proceeding, citing payment in satisfaction of the arrears. The court analyzed the application of rent payments when not earmarked and found that absent an agreement to the contrary, payments should be applied to the oldest outstanding amount due to avoid unjust results. Relying on precedent, the court concluded that the tenant had satisfied the petition based on the ledger provided by the landlord. Consequently, the court dismissed the case without prejudice to any post-petition arrears. Key legal points include the presumption that payments should be credited against the oldest items due and the necessity to avoid unjust outcomes in applying rent payments.

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