Hoffman v. Fidelity & Deposit Co.

150 N.W. 844, 184 Mich. 210, 1915 Mich. LEXIS 868
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 29, 1915
DocketDocket No. 149
StatusPublished

This text of 150 N.W. 844 (Hoffman v. Fidelity & Deposit Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hoffman v. Fidelity & Deposit Co., 150 N.W. 844, 184 Mich. 210, 1915 Mich. LEXIS 868 (Mich. 1915).

Opinion

Stone, J.

This is an action of assumpsit upon a bond given on appeal from a circuit court commissioner in a summary proceeding for possession of certain premises, to wit, an apartment in the Hoffman Flats, Grand Rapids.

October 1, 1907, plaintiffs commenced a certain proceeding before a circuit court commissioner against one William H. White for the restitution of the premises, claiming that White was unlawfully detaining them. White had been a tenant, but his lease had expired on September 30, 1907. He had [212]*212been paying a rental of $500 a year, and, in addition thereto, the ice and light bills, all payable by the tenant to the landlord. A judgment of restitution was rendered against said White by the circuit court commissioner, whereupon White gave the statutory bond on appeal to the circuit court from the said judgment, with the defendant as his surety. Afterwards the cause came on to be tried in the circuit court for the county of Kent, and on April 18, 1908, the said White was found guilty, and a judgment of restitution was entered. The premises were surrendered by White on May 10, 1908. The instant suit was commenced upon the bond on October 27, 1913. Upon the trial it appeared that in the latter part of August, or early in September, 1908, one of the attorneys for said White offered to pay to the plaintiffs, to cover the rent of said premises and the costs of suit, the sum of $415.63. This offer was refused, the plaintiffs claiming the sum of $500.

The bill of particulars filed in the instant case was for the rental value of the premises, $450, and to taxed costs of said suit $38.10, with interest at 5 per cent, from the date of restitution of the premises.

Upon the trial of the case there was evidence tending to show that the same arrangement existed under the last lease of White in regard to ice and lights as had existed under a former lease of another apartment belonging to the plaintiffs, where the arrangement had been stated by the plaintiffs in a letter to said White as follows:

“The ice and light for each month you are to pay for in addition. These bills will be rendered at the end of each month at the same time the statements for rent are rendered. Your gas for fuel will be settled with the gas company direct, but it is to be used in the grate and kitchen range only.”

The plaintiff Hoffman, upon the trial of the case, [213]*213against the objection and exception of defendant, testified, referring to the tenant, as follows:

“He received ice service, light service, heat and janitor service, and one-half space of the fifth floor. During the years 1907 and 1908 I was acquainted with the rental value of these apartments and these services in the Hoffman Flats.

“Q. What was the rental value of - these premises occupied by Dr. White, including this service and this space, the rental?

“A. From the 1st of October, .1907, until he vacated the same in May, after the determination of this suit in the circuit court was $450.”

Another witness testified, under like objection and exception, as follows:

“Q. What would you say was the rental value of the south apartment on the fifth floor of the Hoffman ■Building from the first of October, 1907, to the 10th of May, 1908, including heat, light, janitor service, ice and elevator service? * * *

“A. That would be for a period of seven months and ten days from the 1st of October to the 10th of May; is that the question?

“Q. He moved out on the 10th of May; that is, at the end of the litigation under the landlord and tenant act.

“A. That is seven months and ten days, then?

“Q. That would be the exact time.

“A. I should say $420.”

In its charge to the jury the court, among other things, said:

“The plaintiffs claim that the rental value of these premises during the time that Dr. White was occupying them — namely, from October 1, 1907, to May 10, 1908 — was $50 a month, and, in addition thereto, the charges during that time for ice and light furnished the tenant. The plaintiffs claim that those charges amounted to about $6 a month, or for from $40 to $50 for the entire period of nearly eight months. To this amount the plaintiffs claim should be added the costs taxed in the case against Dr. White, which terminated [214]*214in their favor in this court, those costs being $88.10. * * * In fixing the rental value, therefore, the fact that these services of light and ice were rendered to make the occupancy of the premises more acceptable and convenient may be considered by you as bearing upon the question of the actual value, rental value, of these premises during this period. And I think, too, I might as well state that, if the only agreement between the parties as to the amount that should be paid for the privilege of occupying these premises was the amount to be paid for ice and light, that would constitute the amount to be recovered if it should appear that the ice and light were furnished. In other words, it Is a matter of agreement between the parties as to what shall be paid for the privilege of occupying the premises such as these, or any other premises for that matter, and whatever they agree to pay, or whatever condition may be attached to the privilege of occupancy, that amount will be under the law rent. So I say to you, gentlemen, that under the undisputed facts in this case also and the lease which has been read to you, or the agreement constituting the lease which has been read to you by counsel on both sides relating to this subject of light and ice, the ice and light were to be paid for as furnished as a condition or one of the conditions of the occupancy of these premises, as well as the sum specified as the annual rental. _ Both therefore, under the law, are to be considered in determining the rental value of the premises, if you should find that the ice and light were actually furnished.

“The plaintiffs further claim that during the months that Dr. White, the tenant, occupied these premises — namely, from October 1, 1907, to May 10, 1908 — the winter months, the premises were worth more than they would ordinarily have been worth on a yearly rental. That is a subject for your consideration. If they were worth more during those winter months, it is a matter for you to determine. If they are not worth more, it is up to you as the jurors in the ease to determine what the rental value .actually was worth.

“The defendant, on the other hand, denies that they are worth any more than the annual rental value would indicate, namely, $41.66, and a fraction a [215]*215month. The plaintiffs claim that they are worth $50 a month during those months. What is the fact?

“Now, after you have determined the amount due, and you will reckon that amount from the 1st day of October, 1907, up to and including the 10th of May, 1908, at whatever monthly rental- you find the premises were actually worth under the evidence in this case, adding thereto whatever sum you may find under the evidence the ice and light were actually worth furnished Dr. White during this period of his occupancy, adding thereto the $38.10 costs; the sum total of'these three items will determine.

“Now, if you should find that the amount offered by Mr. Hine to Mr.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
150 N.W. 844, 184 Mich. 210, 1915 Mich. LEXIS 868, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hoffman-v-fidelity-deposit-co-mich-1915.