Arbenz v. Exley, Watkins & Co.
West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
50 S.E. 813 (1905)
Relevant factsFree
After a fire destroyed the leased building, Exley (defendant) sent Arbenz (plaintiff) a letter stating it had already vacated and "hereby" surrendered possession, without stating any future date on which the tenancy would end; the lower court held this letter had terminated the year-to-year tenancy roughly a year after it was sent, barring Arbenz's claim for later rent.
IssueFree
Whether notice to terminate a lease is invalid if it does not indicate a future date of intended termination.