Title 11, Chapter 2A, Section 504
( 11-2A-504)
Liquidation of damages. (1) Damages payable by either party for default, or any other act or
omission, including indemnity for loss or diminution of anticipated
tax benefits or loss or damage to lessor's residual interest, may be
liquidated in the lease agreement but only at an amount or by a
formula that is reasonable in light of the then anticipated harm
caused by the default or other act or omission. (2) If the lease agreement provides for liquidation of damages, and
such provision does not comply with subsection (1), or such
provision is an exclusive or limited remedy that circumstances cause
to fail of its essential purpose, remedy may be had as provided in
this article. (3) If the lessor justifiably withholds or stops delivery of goods because of the lessee's default or insolvency (Code Section 11-2A-525 or 11-2A-526), the lessee is entitled to restitution of any amount by which the sum of his payments exceeds: (a) The amount to which the lessor is entitled by virtue of terms
liquidating the lessor's damages in accordance with subsection
(1); or (b) In the absence of those terms, 20 percent of the then present
value of the total rent the lessee was obligated to pay for the
balance of the lease term, or, in the case of a consumer lease,
the lesser of such amount or $500. (4) A lessee's right to restitution under subsection (3) is subject
to offset to the extent the lessor establishes: (a) a right to recover damages under the provisions of this
article other than subsection (1); and (b) the amount or value of any benefits received by the lessee
directly or indirectly by reason of the lease contract. |