Opinion
No. 2010–2539 RO C.
2012-02-16
Leslie STRONGWATER, Respondent, v. 237 REALTY, LLC, Appellant.
Present: NICOLAI, P.J., MOLIA and IANNACCI, JJ.
Appeal from a judgment of the Justice Court of the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County (Rhoda F. Shoenberger, J.), entered May 18, 2010. The judgment, after a nonjury trial, awarded plaintiff the principal sum of $2,700.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs.
Plaintiff commenced this small claims action to recover a security deposit in the sum of $2,700 paid to defendant pursuant to a lease agreement. At a nonjury trial, defendant asserted that the action should not have been commenced in the Justice Court of the Town of Ramapo and that the proper venue was in Manhattan, where the premises leased by plaintiff is located. Defendant's agent testified that all of defendant's banking is conducted in Rockland County, and that all rent checks payable to defendant are sent to defendant at an address which is within the Town of Ramapo. This same address is also indicated on the lease as defendant's address. Following the trial, the Justice Court awarded plaintiff the principal sum of $2,700.
Contrary to defendant's contention, it was permissible for plaintiff to commence this action against defendant in the Small Claims Part of the Justice Court of the Town of Ramapo since defendant's office is located within the municipality in which the court is located ( seeUJCA 1801, 1803[a] ).
Upon a review of the record, we find that substantial justice was done between the parties in accordance with the rules and principles of substantive law (UJCA 1804, 1807). Applying the narrow standard of review applicable in small claims actions (UJCA 1807), and giving due deference to the trial court's findings of fact ( see Williams v. Roper, 269 A.D.2d 125, 126 [2000] ), we find no basis to disturb the judgment awarding plaintiff the principal sum of $2,700.
Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed