Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.

Muthoga entered into a five year lease agreement for office premises with Njenga. After the end of the lease period, the parties agreed that Njenga would...

      

Muthoga entered into a five year lease agreement for office premises with Njenga. After
the end of the lease period, the parties agreed that Njenga would continue occupying the
office premises for another five years. On that basis, Njenga made extensive renovations
to the office premises.
Muthoga has now given Njenga notice to vacate the office premises claiming that the
lease agreement had expired.

Advise Njenga on his legal rights.

  

Answers


Maurice
This problem is based on the equitable doctrine of promissory estoppel.

Muthoga and Njenga have a contractual relationship underwhich Muthoga is entitled to
remain in occupation of the premises for five years.

Relying on this promise Njenga made extensive renovations of the premises only for
Muthoga to give notice of termination.

It is inequitable for Muthoga to terminate the lease as Njenga relied on his promise and has
changed his legal position to his detriment. Muthoga should be estopped from terminating
the lease.

My advise to Njenga is to disregard the notice and wait for Muthoga to sue him. He can
then plead promissory estoppel on the basis of Muthoga's promise.

My advise is based on the decision in Century Automobiles V. Hutchings Biemer Ltd whose
facts were substantially similar.
maurice.mutuku answered the question on April 27, 2018 at 06:11


Next: Citing relevant case law, discuss the doctrine of equitable estoppel, outlining the circumstances under which it arises.
Previous: In relation to the law of tort, explain what is meant by private nuisance.

View More CPA Commercial Law Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Learn High School English on YouTube

Related Questions