Alice owns Greenacres. Alice rents Greenacres to Betsy, who…
Alice owns Greenacres. Alice rents Greenacres to Betsy, who executes a written lease which provides that “Betsy has the right to possession from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004, at a rent of $12,000 a year to be paid $1,000 a month on the first of each month.” Betsy goes into possession. On December 1, 2004, Alice leases the property to Cindy commencing January 1, 2005 for a term of 2 years. On December 29, 2004, when Cindy shows up, Betsy claims that she is entitled to remain in possession because Alice has not properly terminated the lease. Alice writes Betsy a letter asserting that Betsy has no right to remain on the premises and demanding that Betsy vacate immediately. Betsy disputes Alice’s claim but says that she’ll move out by the end of January. Betsy moves out January 30, 2005. Cindy got tired of waiting and has rented another place. Alice sues Cindy. The most likely result under the traditional American approach is: