Sarjac Partners, LLC v. Giuliano

Summary

The Connecticut Appellate Court affirmed judgment for a commercial tenant in a summary process action and related counterclaims. The court held that the trial court’s findings that the landlord breached the lease and constructively evicted the tenant were not clearly erroneous.

Holdings

1. The trial court did not clearly err in finding that the landlord breached the lease agreement by failing to reasonably maintain the premises.
2. The trial court did not clearly err in finding that the landlord's failure to maintain the premises substantially interfered with the tenant's use and constructively evicted her.
3. The plaintiff's challenge to the damages award failed because it was based solely on the plaintiff's unsuccessful challenge to the findings of lease breach and constructive eviction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court clearly erred in finding that the landlord breached the commercial lease by failing to reasonably maintain the premises.
2. Whether the trial court clearly erred in finding that the landlord constructively evicted the tenant.
3. Whether the damages award could stand insofar as it depended on the findings of lease breach and constructive eviction.

Disposition

affirmed