In a recent opinion the Chancery Court of the District of Columbia considered what it characterized as an “unusual” and even “bizarre” question:
Does the contract law of the District of Columbia require the owner of a building to accept a lease that no reasonable lessor would ever sign simply to facilitate the lessee’s exercise of a contractual option to purchase the building?
The option holder sought specific enforcement of an option contract. The owner argued that to exercise the option the option holder had presented a lease that no reasonable lessor would ever sign. The owner counterclaimed for an alleged lost opportunity to sell the property to a third person.
The court denied both parties requested relief.