254 LLC v. Ernest Sgroi, Respondent-Tenant-Respondent. (2024)

Per Curiam.

Order (Tracy Ferdinand, J.), dated March 30, 2023, modified by granting landlord's motion to the extent of restoring the proceeding to the calendar; as modified, order affirmed, without costs, and matter remanded to Civil Court for further proceedings consistent herewith.

The stipulation settling this nonpayment proceeding provided that tenant would pay rent arrears by a date certain, landlord would correct certain enumerated conditions upon specified access dates, and that upon default by either party, the "proceeding may be restored to the calendar ... and the movant may seek appropriate relief."

Upon landlord's motion seeking, inter alia, to restore the proceeding to the calendar and for entry of judgment, based upon the unrefuted allegation that tenant failed to tender rent arrears pursuant to the terms of the stipulation, the court should have restored the matter to the calendar and rendered appropriate relief (see Wallkill Affordable Senior Hous., LP v Powell, 67 Misc 3d 136[A], 2020 NY Slip Op 50554[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 9th & 10th Jud Dists 2020]). "Strict enforcement of the parties' stipulation ... is warranted based upon the principle that the parties to a civil dispute are free to chart their own litigation course" (Mill Rock Plaza Assoc. v Lively, 224 AD2d 301 [1996]). Notwithstanding the absence of any specific language in the stipulation authorizing the entry of judgment upon a default, the court had authority to render, and the stipulation expressly provided for, an "award [of] appropriate relief - i.e. enforcement of the stipulation of settlement" (Zuker v Landau, 194 AD2d 500,501 [1993], lv dismissed 82 NY2d 920 [1994]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.

I concur I concur I concur

Decision Date: April 15, 2024