Opinion
No. 2011–1385WC.
2012-03-6
Cisco RECCY, Appellant, v. John BELLASARIO and Ann Federico, Respondents.
Present LaCAVA, J.P., MOLIA and IANNACCI, JJ.
Appeal, on the ground of inadequacy, from a judgment of the City Court of Yonkers, Westchester County (Richard F. Sweeney, J.), entered November 15, 2010. The judgment, after a nonjury trial, awarded plaintiff the principal sum of $600.
ORDERED that the judgment is modified by providing that the award in favor of plaintiff is increased by $1,200 to the principal sum of $1,800; as so modified, the judgment is affirmed, without costs.
In this small claims action seeking to recover a security deposit of $1,800, plaintiff appeals, on the ground of inadequacy, from a judgment, following a nonjury trial, awarding him the principal sum of $600, after deducting $1,200 from the security deposit for July 2010 use and occupancy. The evidence adduced at trial established that defendant Bellasario terminated plaintiff's lease as of June 30, 2010. Plaintiff vacated the premises on June 30, 2010 and asked defendant Bellasario to do a walk-through on that date, but defendant postponed the walk-through for a later date. Under the circumstances, we find that plaintiff is not liable for the July 2010 use and occupancy. Consequently, substantial justice ( seeUCCA 1807) requires that the award to plaintiff be increased by $1,200. Accordingly, the judgment is modified by increasing the amount awarded to plaintiff to the principal sum of $1,800.