Verline v. Hyssop

The plaintiffs are the owners of a hotel—building and furnishings—in Harrington. They leased the property to the defendants for a five-year term beginning May 15, 1937, at a monthly rental of fifty dollars, payable in advance on the fifteenth day of each month of the term. The defendants covenanted “to pay . . . the . . . rent in the manner . . . specified.” They defaulted, however, in the payment of the installment of rent due on October 15, 1938.

Subsequent to that date, they were notified by the lessors to pay the rent within ten days or surrender possession. The defendants did neither. On…