STOJOWSKI v. SA (2006)

In an action, inter alia, for specific performance of an option to purchase real property and to recover damages for breach of contract, the plaintiff appeals from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (McCarty, J.), entered April 15, 2004, which, after a nonjury trial upon stipulated facts, among other things, dismissed the complaint and is in favor of the defendants and against him in the principal sum of $48,300 representing rent, use, and occupancy of the subject premises.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, with costs.

 “While an appellate court's authority in reviewing a nonjury determination is as broad as that of the trial court, due deference is given to the trial court's determination” (International Baptist Church v. Fortini, 20 A.D.3d 507, 508, 799 N.Y.S.2d 145;  see Manzo v. Gross, 19 A.D.3d 379, 796 N.Y.S.2d 702, lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 714, 806 N.Y.S.2d 165, 840 N.E.2d 134).

 The evidence established that the plaintiff was not ready, willing, and able to satisfy his obligations under the purchase option contained in the lease of the subject premises, which bars recovery under theories of both specific performance (see Johnson v. Phelan, 281 A.D.2d 394, 395, 721 N.Y.S.2d 378;  Handy v. Manganelli, 181 A.D.2d 658, 581 N.Y.S.2d 607;  3M Holding Corp. v. Wagner, 166 A.D.2d 580, 581, 560 N.Y.S.2d 865;  L.I.C. Commercial Corp. v. Zirinsky, 142 A.D.2d 713, 715-716, 531 N.Y.S.2d 110;  Jewell v. Rowe, 119 A.D.2d 634, 635, 500 N.Y.S.2d 787;  145 E. Merrick Rd. Corp. v. Sangco Realty Corp., 113 A.D.2d 746, 748, 493 N.Y.S.2d 209) and breach of contract (see Lower v. Village of Watkins Glen, 17 A.D.3d 829, 831, 794 N.Y.S.2d 140;  Buoninfante v. Legacy Dev. USA Corp., 306 A.D.2d 511, 761 N.Y.S.2d 864;  cf. Clifton Country Rd. Assocs. v. Vinciguerra, 252 A.D.2d 792, 675 N.Y.S.2d 680).   Accordingly, the Supreme Court properly dismissed the complaint (see Buoninfante v. Legacy Dev. USA Corp., supra at 511, 761 N.Y.S.2d 864;  Handy v. Manganelli, supra at 658, 581 N.Y.S.2d 607;  3M Holding Corp. v. Wagner, supra at 581, 560 N.Y.S.2d 865).

 In any event, the option agreement was unenforceable.   The premises was owned by the married defendants as tenants by the entirety, but the option was executed only by the plaintiff and the defendant Peter D'Sa. The absence of the signature of Lysia D'Sa on the agreement rendered it unenforceable in the absence of evidence that the non-signing spouse had complete knowledge of and actively participated in the transaction (see Pescatore v. Manniello, 19 A.D.3d 571, 572-573, 799 N.Y.S.2d 220;  Jill Real Estate v. Smyles, 150 A.D.2d 640, 642, 541 N.Y.S.2d 515), that she ratified the purchase option after the fact (see Holm v. C.M.P. Sheet Metal, 89 A.D.2d 229, 232, 455 N.Y.S.2d 429;  30 Carmine LLC v. Depierro, 7 Misc.3d 836, 846, 791 N.Y.S.2d 383), or that the absence of her signature was a product of fraud or misrepresentation (see generally Danann Realty Corp. v. Harris, 5 N.Y.2d 317, 322-323, 184 N.Y.S.2d 599, 157 N.E.2d 597;  Shui Ching Chan v. Bay Ridge Park Hill Realty Co., 213 A.D.2d 467, 469, 623 N.Y.S.2d 896).

The plaintiff's remaining contentions are without merit.