582 GATES LLC v. FARMER XYZ (2019)

ORDERED that the final judgment is reversed, without costs, and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for the entry of a final judgment dismissing the petition.

In this summary proceeding, the petition alleges that the proceeding is brought pursuant to “RPAPL and other applicable law.” Annexed to the petition is a notice to quit that had been served on Hillary Farmer, Jr. (occupant) which states that occupant had “obtained possession of the subject premises by virtue of being the prior owner.” Occupant defended on the grounds that the termination notice and petition did not properly set forth the facts upon which the proceeding is based. After a nonjury trial, the Civil Court awarded petitioner a final judgment of possession, and occupant now appeals.

RPAPL 741 provides that a petition must state, among other things, the facts upon which the proceeding is based (see Matter of Volunteers of Am.-Greater NY, Inc. v. Almonte, 65 A.D.3d 1155 [2009], affg 17 Misc. 3d 57 [App. Term, 2d Dept, 2d & 11th Jud Dists 2007]; Giannini v. Stuart, 6 A.D.2d 418 [1958]; Cintron v. Pandis, 34 Misc. 3d 152[A], 2012 NY Slip Op. 50309[U] [App. Term, 2d Dept, 9th & 10th Jud. Dists 2012] ). Here, petitioner failed to allege sufficient facts to unambiguously apprise occupant and the court of the grounds upon which petitioner was purportedly proceeding. The petition and the notice to quit merely allege that occupant was a “prior owner,” which in conjunction with petitioner's failure to specify a particular section of RPAPL, fails to sufficiently allege a ground upon which the proceeding may be maintained.

Accordingly, the final judgment is reversed and the matter remitted to the Civil Court for the entry of a final judgment dismissing the petition.

ALIOTTA, J.P., PESCE and ELLIOT, JJ., concur.