Lessor Liability After Sale of Leased Property for Prior Defects

A lessor, having sold the leased property, argued that the sale transferred the lease to the buyer, thereby extinguishing the original lessor's obligation to provide the tenant with undisturbed enjoyment of the premises, and sought to be relieved of liability for damages resulting from a defect in the property that existed prior to the sale. The court rejected this argument, holding that the lessor's obligation concerning the peaceful enjoyment of the property by the lessee is an obligation of law that survives the sale of the property, and therefore, the initial lessor remained liable for damages arising from defects existing at the time of the transfer.