Melson v. Cook

Cook originally brought suit for rent and obtained a judgment in small claims court. The tenant, Melson, appealed to the circuit court for a trial de novo. After an ore tenus hearing, the circuit court rendered a judgment for Cook for $525. Melson appeals. We affirm.

The dispositive issue is whether the trial court erred in awarding Cook $525 for the rent due for the month of January.

In October 1981 the parties entered into an oral agreement for the lease of a residence on a month-to-month basis. Melson agreed to pay $400 per month in advance as rent.

On November 11, 1987, Cook sent Melson a…