BARAN v. MECHEL (2020)

DECISION & ORDER

ORDERED that the appeal from so much of the order entered June 27, 2017, as extended to June 30, 2017, the interim relief in the order to show cause dated April 6, 2017, and, in effect, denied that branch of the cross motion of Stanislaw Mechel which was to vacate the interim relief, is dismissed as academic;  and it is further,

ORDERED that the order is affirmed insofar as reviewed;  and it is further,

ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the respondent.

Edward Baran and Stanislaw Mechel were each 50% shareholders of New York Builders of Stairs, Inc. (hereinafter New York Builders), and AAMAA Corp. (hereinafter AAMAA).  The assets of AAMAA consisted of two commercial properties, located at 54–03 and 54–05 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, where New York Builders maintained its equipment and conducted its business.  Baran commenced the instant action and related proceeding, inter alia, for judicial dissolution of New York Builders and AAMAA, respectively.  Pursuant to a shareholders' settlement agreement with respect to the dissolution of AAMAA, title to 54–03 Grand Avenue was transferred to Mechel and title to 54–05 Grand Avenue was transferred to Baran.

Baran thereafter moved for a preliminary injunction restraining Mechel from blocking New York Builder's access to 54–03 Grand Avenue and its equipment stored therein.  The Supreme Court awarded Baran interim relief to that effect in an order to show cause dated April 6, 2017.  Mechel cross-moved, inter alia, to vacate the interim relief and for an award for use and occupancy of 54–03 Grand Avenue.  In the order appealed from, the Supreme Court extended the interim relief to June 30, 2017, and, in effect, denied those branches of the cross motion.  Mechel appeals.

The appeal from so much of the order as extended the interim relief to June 30, 2017, and, in effect, denied that branch of Mechel's motion which was to vacate the interim relief, must be dismissed as academic, since the interim relief has expired (see Needleman v. Tornheim, 106 A.D.3d 707, 708, 964 N.Y.S.2d 231).

Contrary to Mechel's contention, he was not entitled to an award against Baran for use and occupancy of 54–03 Grand Avenue, since he did not demonstrate the existence of a landlord-tenant relationship between himself and Baran (see Luna Light., Inc. v. Just Indus., Inc., 137 A.D.3d 1228, 1229, 29 N.Y.S.3d 410;  Reads Co., LLC v. Katz, 72 A.D.3d 1054, 1056, 900 N.Y.S.2d 131;  Fulgenzi v. Rink, 253 A.D.2d 846, 848, 678 N.Y.S.2d 360).  Accordingly, we agree with the Supreme Court's determination, in effect, to deny that branch of Mechel's cross motion which was for an award of use and occupancy.

RIVERA, J.P., BALKIN, LEVENTHAL and IANNACCI, JJ., concur.