ALAMEDDINE BROTHERS vs. PATERSON ZOCHONIS AND CO., LTD.

This is an appeal from the concurrent judgments of the District Magistrate’s Court and the High Court, Accra, both upholding the validity of a notice to quit given by the respondents to the appellants under section 17 (1)(h) of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), and granting the respondents’ claim to possession of a shop occupied by the appellants. Some time in 1958, upon an oral grant, the appellants took possession of one store in premises No. D 893/3, situate at Selwyn Market Street owned by the respondents at a monthly rent of N¢80.00 per month. About July 1959, the appellants applied to the rent assessment committee for an assessment of the premises and this was duly done. The monthly rent was reduced to N¢45.00 which thereafter became the standard rent of the store. The appellants appeared to have enjoyed quiet possession until 12 January 1967, when they received the following notice: “I the undersigned give you one (1) month’s notice from the date hereof on behalf of...