Whether lease can be surrendered unilaterally?

A surrender under clauses (e) and (f) of section 111 of the Transfer of Property Act, is an yielding up of the term of the lessee's interest to him who has the immediate reversion or the lessor's interest. It takes effect like a contract by mutual consent on the lessor's acceptance of the act of the lessee. The lessee cannot, therefore, surrender unless the term is vested in him; and the surrender must be to a person in whom the immediate reversion expectant on the term is vested. Implied surrender by operation of law occurs by the creation of a new relationship, or by relinquishment of possession. It the lessee accepts a new lease that in itself is a surrender. Surrender can also be implied from the consent of the parties or from such facts as the relinquishment of possession by the lessee and taking over possession by the lessor. Relinquishment of possession operates as an implied surrender. There must be a taking of possession, not necessarily a physical taking, but something amounting to a virtual taking of possession. Whether this has occurred is a question of fact.

Supreme Court of India

Shah Mathuradas Maganlal & Co vs Nagappa Shankarappa Malage & Ors on 23 March, 1976

Equivalent citations: 1976 AIR 1565, 1976 SCR (3) 789

BENCH:
RAY, A.N. (CJ)
BENCH:
RAY, A.N. (CJ)
SINGH, JASWANT

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