Dorman

This appeal and the related cross-appeal involve the sufficiency of monetary damages awarded to a landlord after a long-time commercial tenant vacated and left the premises in disrepair. The property in question is a commercial building on La Cienega Boulevard in Culver City, which was operated at all relevant times as the Dorman-Winthrop men’s clothing store.

Appellant and cross-respondent, the tenant, is a corporation named DWLC Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Tenant). Respondent and cross-appellant, Morton Dorman, was the landlord at all relevant times (hereinafter referred to as Landlord). The lease agreement was entered into in 1981. It expired by its own terms in May 1989, and then became a month-to-month tenancy subject to essentially the same terms and conditions but with an increase in rent of almost $6,000 per month.

In February 1990, Landlord entered into an escrow for the sale of the building to Frank Festa (Buyer). Shortly thereafter, on February 28, 1990, Tenant moved out, leaving the premises in a state of disrepair. Landlord ultimately expended approximately $17,000 to repair and clean up the premises and also was required to reduce the purchase…