Allen v. Lee

The defendant-landlord appeals from a $9,000 judgment in favor of the plaintiff-tenant, for failing to maintain the leased property in a habitable condition. He argues that the trial court admitted two unauthenticated exhibits and improperly instructed the jury, and that the jury’s verdict was excessive. The jury’s verdict exceeded the prayer of the plaintiff’s complaint, so we modify the judgment accordingly. As so modified, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

I

The tenant’s complaint asserted that the landlord breached his duties under the lease and R.C. 5321.04. It also alleged that he…