Central Trust Co. v. Mr. D. Realty Co. (In re Mr. D. Realty Co.)

26 B.R. 96, 1982 Bankr. LEXIS 5178
United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Ohio·Decided December 27, 1982·No. Bankruptcy Nos. 1-82-02817, 1-82-02818; Adv. Nos. 1-82-0451, 1-82-0452·Published·Cited by 1 cases

Opinion

DECISION AND ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTIONS FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.

BURTON PERLMAN, Bankruptcy Judge.

We write a single decision because the complaints in each of the adversary proceedings in which plaintiff has filed the motions with which we are here concerned are identical. The underlying bankruptcy cases for the two adversary proceedings above captioned are Chapter 11 filings. The two debtors own and administer certain rental real estate. According to the allegations of the complaints plaintiff is [97] mortgagee with respect to certain real estate of the two debtors and also has an assignment of rents and leases relating to the real estate. In its complaints, plaintiff seeks to have the § 362 automatic stay lifted since the debtors are in default and plaintiff wishes to proceed with foreclosure in the state courts. The complaints also seek enforcement of the assignment of rents and leases. Plaintiff has filed the present motions for preliminary injunction to compel defendants-debtors to perform their obligations under the assignment of rents and leases. The motions came on for hearing. The evidentiary record presented consisted of a written Stipulation of Facts which incorporates certain documents. Counsel offered arguments at the hearing, submitted memoranda, and at the conclusion of the hearing we reserved decision.

Mobil Corp. v. Marathon Oil Co. 669 F.2d 366 (6th Cir., 1981) sets out the factors to be considered in deciding whether or not to grant a preliminary injunction:

1) Whether the plaintiff has shown a strong or substantial likelihood or probability of success on the merits;

2) Whether the plaintiff has shown irreparable injury;

3) Whether the issuance of a preliminary injunction will cause substantial harm to others; and

4) Whether the public interests would be served by issuing the preliminary injunction.

With this before us we turn to the facts.

The evidence presented depicts a total situation of which what is before this Court is but a part. That is, the two debtors and also a third entity, Marvin R. Guttman as an individual (Guttman has not filed a petition in this Court), each holds title to certain rental real estate. All of the real estate is managed by a fourth entity, NCPM Inc. which collects the rents and pays the bills incidental to maintaining and administering the real estate. The Stipulation of Facts informs us that all of the stock of NCPM Inc. is owned by Guttman, and Guttman is also president and sole shareholder of debtor Mr. D Realty Company, and the sole general partner of debtor S & M Associates.

Three properties are involved in the two complaints, Chestnut Hill, Victory Arms Apartments and Paddock Center. Other real estate is owned by Guttman individually and by the two debtors. Rental income from the three above named properties in which plaintiff has a mortgage interest, and also rental income from the other properties to which we have just referred are all collected and commingled in the accounts of NCPM Inc. It is undisputed that payments to plaintiff mortgagee by defendants are in default.

An Assignment of Rents is part of the record before us and provides:

“NOW, THEREFORE, to induce said As-signee to make or purchase the aforesaid loan and to further secure the payment of said note and the performance of all the terms of said Mortgage Deed, ... the undersigned [Debtors] does hereby assign and transfer to Assignee, its successors and assigns, all of the rents, issues and profits now due or which may hereafter become due under or by virtue of all leases, ... provided, however, that, except for the collection of rents in advance of the time when they become due, the undersigned may collect all rents and other amounts due it under said leases as if this instrument had not been made until a default occurs either in the payment of principal or interest provided to be paid under the terms of said note . .. ”.

The Stipulation of Facts also informs us that there are mortgage liens on the real estate here involved which are senior to the interests of plaintiff. At the hearing it developed that an assignment of rents is present in connection with some or all of such senior liens.

Plaintiff filed suit in the Common Pleas Court for the appointment of a receiver to collect the rents from real estate of defendants (before the Common Pleas Court) Mr. D Realty Company, S & M Associates, and Marvin R. Guttman. An Order was entered September 30, 1982 in that case ordering [98] defendants to continue to collect and fully account for all rents income and other proceeds received from their real estate and to hold such monies, making no payments or distributions therefrom. The case in which that order issued has been removed to this Court.

In approaching the question which we have to decide, whether or not a preliminary injunction should issue, it has to be kept at the forefront that debtors have resorted to the Chapter 11 mechanism available in this court as provided by statute for purposes of rehabilitating themselves. It is asserted by debtors that the revenue from property in which plaintiff has a mortgage interest is necessary for their continued operation until a plan is proposed and beyond. Rental funds are obviously necessary in such an enterprise for paying the expenses, utilities, taxes, maintenance etc. inherent in such an enterprise. Debtors-defendants argue that to grant the relief sought by plaintiff will end any hope of Chapter 11 relief because these funds are vital to that effort. We find this proposition compelling and for this reason deny the preliminary injunction sought by plaintiff.

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Central Trust Co. v. Mr. D. Realty Co. (In re Mr. D. Realty Co.), 26 B.R. 96, 1982 Bankr. LEXIS 5178 (Ohio 1982).

26 B.R. 96 (Central Trust Co. v. Mr. D. Realty Co. (In re Mr. D. Realty Co.)) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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