Lessor Liability for Structural Repairs Overrides Lease Agreement

A lessor appealed a decision that required them to pay damages to a lessee for the costs incurred in making necessary structural repairs to a leased property, arguing that the obligation for such repairs rested solely with the tenant under the lease agreement, which stipulated that the tenant was responsible for minor repairs and upkeep. The court rejected the appeal, reasoning that while the lease contract assigned responsibility for routine maintenance to the lessee, the nature of the defects in question constituted serious structural deterioration affecting the building's habitability and longevity, which falls under the legal obligation of the lessor to maintain the property in a condition suitable for its intended use, irrespective of contractual clauses attempting to shift this fundamental responsibility.