Lessor v. Lessee: Validity of Immediate Payment Clause for Future Rent and Accessory Charges

A lessor, having leased property to a lessee for a fixed term under a lease stipulating immediate payment of the last three months' rent, sued the lessee after the lessee vacated the premises at the end of the term, demanding payment of these rents along with interest and legal costs, arguing the immediate payment clause was valid. The court partially quashed the lower court's decision, reasoning that while a stipulation for immediate payment of future rent in a fixed-term lease is valid as to the principal amount, the automatic application of interest and legal costs from the due date, absent explicit contractual provision or judicial determination establishing default, constitutes an impermissible penalty or an unjustified premature claim for accessory charges.