Section 55-2A-508 - Lessee's remedies.
55-2A-508. Lessee's remedies.
(1) If a lessor fails to deliver the goods in conformity to the lease contract (Section 55-2A-509 NMSA 1978) or repudiates the lease contract (Section 55-2A-402 NMSA 1978), or a lessee rightfully rejects the goods (Section 55-2A-509 NMSA 1978) or justifiably revokes acceptance of the goods (Section 55-2A-517 NMSA 1978), then with respect to any goods involved, and with respect to all of the goods if under an installment lease contract the value of the whole lease contract is substantially impaired (Section 55-2A-510 NMSA 1978), the lessor is in default under the lease contract and the lessee may:
(a) cancel the lease contract (Section 55-2A-505(1) NMSA 1978);
(b) recover so much of the rent and security as has been paid and is just under the circumstances;
(c) cover and recover damages as to all goods affected whether or not they have been identified to the lease contract (Sections 55-2A-518 and 55-2A-520 NMSA 1978), or recover damages for nondelivery (Sections 55-2A-519 and 55-2A-520 NMSA 1978); or
(d) exercise any other rights or pursue any other remedies provided in the lease contract.
(2) If a lessor fails to deliver the goods in conformity to the lease contract or repudiates the lease contract, the lessee may also:
(a) if the goods have been identified, recover them (Section 55-2A-522 NMSA 1978); or
(b) in a proper case, obtain specific performance or replevy the goods (Section 55-2A-521 NMSA 1978).
(3) If a lessor is otherwise in default under a lease contract, the lessee may exercise the rights and pursue the remedies provided in the lease contract, which may include a right to cancel the lease, and in Section 55-2A-519(3) NMSA 1978.
(4) If a lessor has breached a warranty, whether express or implied, the lessee may recover damages (Section 55-2A-519(4) NMSA 1978).
(5) On rightful rejection or justifiable revocation of acceptance, a lessee has a security interest in goods in the lessee's possession or control for any rent and security that has been paid and any expenses reasonably incurred in their inspection, receipt, transportation and care and custody and may hold those goods and dispose of them in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, subject to Section 55-2A-527(5) NMSA 1978.
(6) Subject to the provisions of Section 55-2A-407 NMSA 1978, a lessee, on notifying the lessor of the lessee's intention to do so, may deduct all or any part of the damages resulting from any default under the lease contract from any part of the rent still due under the same lease contract.