Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Lease; rescission of lease contract - sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/november2012/192108.pdf

sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/november2012/192108.pdf

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Article 1191 of the Civil Code provides that the power to rescind obligations is implied in reciprocal ones, in case one of the obligors should not comply with what is incumbent upon him. A lease contract is a reciprocal contract.  By signing the lease agreement, the lessor grants possession over his/her property to the lessee for a period of time in exchange for rental payment.                                                          

Indeed, rescission is statutorily recognized in a contract of lease.  Article 1659 of the Civil Code provides:

Art. 1659.  If the lessor or the lessee should not comply with the obligations set forth in articles  1654 and 1657, the aggrieved party may ask for the rescission of the contract and indemnification for damages, or only the latter, allowing the contract to remain in force.

Article 1659 outlines the remedies for non-compliance with the reciprocal obligations in a lease contract, which obligations are cited in Articles 1654 and 1657:

Article 1654.  The lessor is obliged:
 
(1) To deliver the thing which is the object of the contract in such a conditions as to render it fit for the use intended;
(2) To make on the same during the lease all the necessary repairs in order to keep it suitable for the use to which it has been devoted, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary;
(3) To maintain the lessee in the peaceful and adequate enjoyment of the lease for the entire duration of the contract.

Article 1657.  The lessee is obliged:
(1) To pay the price of the lease according to the terms stipulated;
(2) To use the thing leased as a diligent father of a family, devoting it to the use stipulated; and in the absence of stipulation, to that which may be inferred from the nature of the thing leased, according to the custom of the place;
(3) To pay the expenses for the deed of lease.  (Boldfacing supplied).

The aggrieved party is given the option to the aggrieved party to ask for: (1) the rescission of the contract; (2) rescission and indemnification for damages; or (3) only indemnification for damages, allowing the contract to remain in force.

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