Lester Riley And Susan Riley v. David Valaer And Susan Valaer

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: July 7, 2015
• Docket: 46120-0
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

uR iOF APPEALS 0,1y 11 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 2015 JUL - 7 Ali 8: 4 c DIVISION II

LESTER RILEY and SUSAN K. RILEY, No. 46120 -0 -II husband and wife,

Appellants,

V.

DAVID VALAER and SUSAN E. VALAER, UNPUBLISHED OPINION husband and wife,

Resbondents.

MELNICK, J. — Lester and Susan Riley (Riley) appeal from the trial court' s order granting

partial summary judgment to David and Susan Valaer (Valaer) and quieting title to a disputed strip

of property. Riley argues that Valaer did not prove the elements of the common grantor doctrine and that the trial court erred when it established the disputed strip of property' s boundary.

Alternatively, Riley argues that Valaer did not present evidence to establish the applicability of the

equitable liability rule. We agree with both of Riley' s arguments and reverse.

FACTS

This case involves a dispute over a strip of property that is approximately nine feet long

and lies between two adjacent tax parcels. The east parcel contains a house and the west parcel is

vacant. The disputed strip contains a portion of the attached garage of the house, a patio, and a

retaining wall. The retaining wall demarcates the approximate west edge of the disputed strip. In 1951, Fred and Alice Neth ( Neth) purchased the east parcel. On it Neth constructed a

house, patio, and retaining wall, a portion of which extended several feet over the legally described The the property line are visible. property line the clearly portions over onto west parcel. extending 46120 -0 -II

Later in 1951, Neth purchased the west parcel. In 1971, Neth sold both parcels to Boespflug, who

in turn sold both parcels to Holman, subject to easements and restrictions of record.

In 2000, Riley entered into a contract with Holman to purchase both parcels. In 2003,

Riley obtained a loan from Argent Mortgage Company ( Argent). As security for the loan, Riley

executed a deed of trust with power of sale for the east parcel "[ together with] all the improvements

now or hereafter erected on the property, and all easements, appurtenances, and fixtures now or

hereafter a part of the property." Clerk' s Papers ( CP) at 413. Riley retained title on the west

parcel. In 2010, Riley defaulted on the loan, and Argent commenced a nonjudicial foreclosure.

On November 29, 2010 Valaer purchased the east parcel at a trustee' s sale. Valaer did not inspect

the property or review surveys prior to purchasing the east parcel.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

In 2012, Riley filed a complaint against Valaer to remove all physical encroachments on

the west parcel and to reimburse Riley for damages. Valaer moved for partial summary judgment,

arguing that the retaining wall established a new boundary line as of the date Neth sold the property

to Boespflug and that subsequent purchasers, including Riley, treated the retaining wall as the true

boundary between the parcels. Valaer further argued that Riley' s damages should be limited to

the value of the disputed strip of land under the equitable liability rule.

In support of the motion for partial summary judgment, Valaer presented copies of Riley' s

2007 application to the city to subdivide the vacant west parcel, a demolition permit, the deed of

trust from Riley to Argent, the deed conveying title to the property to Valaer, and all prior deeds and parcel descriptions dating back to 1951. Riley' s application to subdivide the west parcel

identified the total size of the parcel as 8, 993 square feet and the subdivided lots as totaling 90 feet

in width, which accounted for the retaining wall as part of the east parcel. The demolition permit

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application identifies the east parcel as 110 feet wide and the west parcel as 90 feet wide,

acknowledging the retaining wall as part of the east parcel. Valaer also presented photographs of

the house, patio, and retaining wall. The photographs denoted the actual deed line between the

two parcels. Valaer declared that if the actual deed line was used, it would significantly cut into

the structure of the home. In response, Riley filed a deed history for both parcels.

The trial court orally granted Valaer' s motion for partial summary judgment because " the

theory of the common grantor does show that there was an [ agreed] boundary line established." Report of Proceedings ( RP) ( Aug. 2, 2013) at 21; CP at 693 ( Stipulated order to modify the report

of proceedings so that the word " aggrieved" on page 21 is changed to the word " agreed."). The

trial court ruled that Neth purchased the vacant parcel " in order to be able to legally establish that

the home was not subject to a divided situation" and adopted the common grantor doctrine. RP

Aug. 2, 2013) at 21. The trial court entered a written order granting Valaer' s motion for partial

summary judgment, but it did not quiet title in Valaer.

Riley moved for reconsideration on the grounds that Valaer did not present evidence to

satisfy the common grantor doctrine' s requirements. l The trial court denied Riley' s motion for reconsideration.

Valaer moved the trial court to quiet title and for clarification of the trial court' s order

granting partial summary judgment. In a hearing on Valaer' s motion for clarification, the trial

court noted that " it was really an inconsistency to rule in favor of Valaer on the subject of the

location by a common grantor but to, at the same time, order the trial as to damages with respect to that theory." RP ( Feb. 28, 2014) at 11. The trial court then ruled that because Valaer was

1 Although the trial court only granted summary judgment based on the common grantor doctrine, Riley also moved for reconsideration on the grounds that issues of fact remained as to the applicability of the liability rule. 46120 -0 -II

entitled to judgment based on the common grantor doctrine, it would grant the remedy associated

with that doctrine and quiet title in Valaer. The trial court additionally stated, "[ T] he [ c] ourt had

also granted summary judgment with respect to the liability rule. And if the decision is not upheld

on the common grantor [ doctrine] ... then the issue as to the liability rule has been decided as to

the legal right and the case would at that point be remanded to be reheard ... on the damages

issue." RP ( Feb. 28, 2014) at 11- 12. The trial court entered a final written order consistent with

its oral ruling. Riley appeals.

ANALYSIS

I. STANDARD OF REVIEW

We review an order for summary judgment de novo, engaging in the same inquiry as the

trial court. Jones v. Allstate Ins. Co., 146 Wn.2d 291, 300, 45 P. 3d 1068 ( 2002). Summary

judgment is proper if "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on

file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact

and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." CR 56( c). We construe

all facts and their reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nomnoving party. Jones,

146 Wn.2d at 300.

A party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of demonstrating that there is no genuine issue of material fact. Atherton Condo. Apartment -Owners Assn Bd. of Dirs. v. Blume

Dev. Co., 115 Wn.2d 506, 516, 799 P. 2d 250 ( 1990). " A material fact is one upon which the

outcome of the litigation depends in whole or in part." Atherton, 115 Wn.2d at 516. If the moving

party satisfies its burden, the nonmoving party must present evidence demonstrating that a material

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fact remains in dispute. Atherton, 115 Wn. 2d at 516. If the nonmoving party fails to do so, and

reasonable persons could reach but one conclusion from all the evidence, then summary judgment

is proper. Vallandigham v. Clover Park Sch. Dist. No. 400, 154 Wn.2d 16, 26, 109 P. 3d 805

2005).

II. COMMON GRANTOR DOCTRINE

The common grantor doctrine is briefly described as follows: " A grantor who owns land

on both sides of a line he has established as the common boundary is bound by that line. The line

will also be binding on grantees if the land was sold and purchased with reference to the line, and

there was a meeting of the minds as to the identical tract of land to be transferred by the sale." Winans v. Ross, 35 Wn. App. 238, 240, 666 P. 2d 908 ( 1983) ( citations omitted).

The common grantor doctrine is premised on a special relationship between the original

grantee and the common grantor, wherein the common grantor had unilateral authority to

determine the location of the property boundary. Levien v. Fiala, 79 Wn. App. 294, 302, 902 P. 2d

170 ( 1995); see Strom v. Arcorace, 27 Wn.2d 478, 481, 178 P. 2d 959 ( 1947); Thompson v. Bain,

28 Wn.2d 590, 592- 93, 183 P. 2d 785 ( 1947). This special relationship is not found in other

boundary adjustment doctrines and justifies the presumption that the grantor's line is the boundary line mentioned in the deed, immediately binding as to the grantee. See Clausing v. Kassner, 60

Wn.2d 12, 15, 371 P. 2d 633 ( 1962); Strom, 27 Wn.2d at 481; Levien, 79 Wn. App. at 302.

Subsequent purchasers are bound to the grantor's line if they purchase the property with

actual or inquiry notice that it is the boundary. Atwell v. Olson, 30 Wn.2d 179, 183- 84, 190 P. 2d 783 ( 1948); see Strom, 27 Wn.2d at 481; Windsor v. Bourcier, 21 Wn.2d 313, 315- 16, 150 P. 2d

717 ( 1944).

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A practical location made by the common grantor of the division line between the tracts granted is binding on the grantees who take with reference to that boundary. The line established in that manner is presumably the line mentioned in the deed, and no lapse of time is necessary to establish such location, which does not rest on acquiescence in an erroneous boundary, but on the fact that the true location was made, and the conveyance in reference to it. However, for a boundary line established by a common grantor to become binding and conclusive on grantees it must plainly appear that the land was sold and purchased with reference to such line, and that there was a meeting of minds as to the identical tract of land to be transferred by the sale."

Strom, 27 Wn.2d at 481 ( quoting 11 C. J. S. Boundaries § 77, at 651 ( 1938)).

Washington courts have reduced the common grantor doctrine to two questions: ( 1) did a

common grantor and original grantee establish an agreed boundary, and ( 2) if so, would a visual

inspection of the property indicate to subsequent purchasers that the deed line was no longer

functioning as the " true" boundary? Winans, 35 Wn. App. at 241; Fralick v. Clark County, 22

Wn. App. 156, 160, 589 P. 2d 273 ( 1978). A formal agreement is not required; rather, the parties'

after the sale show agreement or meeting of the minds. Winans, manifestations of ownership may

35 Wn. App. at 241. The party asserting a boundary by common grantor has the burden of

establishing these elements by clear and convincing evidence.2

2 No Washington decision has explicitly declared the plaintiffs burden under the common grantor doctrine. However, related doctrines require proof by clear and convincing evidence.See, e. g., Thomas v. Harlan, 27 Wn.2d 512, 518, 178 P. 2d 965.( 1947) (" Title to real property is a most valuable right which will not be disturbed by estoppel unless the evidence is clear and convincing."); Merriman v. Cokeley, 168 Wn.2d 627, 630, 230 P. 3d 162 ( 2010) ( Acquiescence be evidence.); accord and mutual recognition must proved by clear, cogent, and convincing Keierleber v. Botting, 77 Wn.2d 711, 715, 466 P. 2d 141 ( 1970) ( Reformation of a deed conveying a property interest for mutual mistake requires proof by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence.). The common grantor doctrine is similar in kind to these doctrines; the rationale that boundary adjustments require this higher quantum of evidence is equally applicable to it.

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Riley argues that Valaer did not present evidence to satisfy the requirements of the common

grantor doctrine. Br. of Appellant at 7. Specifically, Riley argues that Valaer did not present

sufficient evidence of any agreed boundary .line between any common grantor and any original

grantee. We agree.

A. Neth as Common Grantor

Riley first argues that the record does not contain evidence to establish an agreement

between Neth as a common grantor and Boespflug as an original grantee.

We agree.

The undisputed evidence is that Neth purchased the east parcel and then constructed a

house, patio, and retaining wall. These structures intruded on the west parcel that Neth purchased

in 1951. Neth then sold both parcels to Boespflug in 1971. For approximately sixty years, until

2003 when Riley granted a deed of trust with power of sale on the east parcel to Argent, the two

parcels always were conveyed simultaneously to one party. Although Neth could have determined

the location of the boundary line between the parcels, a genuine issue of material fact remains as

to whether Neth sold the parcels and Boespflug purchased them with reference to an agreed new

boundary line. The record contains only the real estate contract between Neth and Boespflug that identifies each parcel with the original boundaries as described in the records of Clark County.

Viewed in the light most favorable to Riley, the record contains no evidence that Neth or Boespflug

treated the retaining wall as the true boundary between the parcels or that they agreed it was the new boundary.' Therefore, because there is a genuine issue of material fact as to this element of

the common grantor ,doctrine, Neth cannot be deemed a common grantor.

From a practical standpoint, there was no need to establish a new boundary because, until 2003, the new owners always owned both parcels.

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B. Riley as Common Grantor L

Riley next argues that the record does not contain evidence to establish an agreement

between Riley as a common grantor and Argent as an original grantee. We agree.

Although, the evidence shows that Riley considered the retaining wall to be the boundary

line between the east and west parcels, 4 a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether Riley

and Argent established the retaining wall as an agreed boundary when Riley conveyed the east

parcel to Argent in 2003. For the first time since 1951, the single party that owned both parcels

conveyed an interest in only one of them. The record contains the deed of trust between Riley and

Argent, in which Riley gave the east parcel as security for Argent' s loan. It included the east parcel

together with] all the improvements now or hereafter erected on the property, and all easements,

appurtenances, and fixtures now or hereafter a part of the property." CP at 413. The deed of trust

identified the east parcel by legal description: " Parcel ID Number 001210230," which currently

has the address of 401 West 36th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660. CP at 413.

Argent accepted the deed of trust, but the record does not contain any evidence that Argent

the retaining the west boundary. It also does not agreed with Riley that wall constituted

demonstrate.that Argent knew of or relied on Riley' s attempted short plat, application to subdivide

the west parcel submitted to the city, or demolition permit application, in which Riley treated the

retaining wall as the boundary of the east parcel. The record also does not contain any evidence

that Valaer relied on or knew of Riley' s applications to the city at the time Valaer purchased it at

foreclosure.

4 In Riley' s application to subdivide the west parcel identified the total size of the west parcel and the size of the proposed subdivided lots accounting for the retaining wall as part of the east parcel. Riley further submitted these same dimensions with the demolition permit application, acknowledging that the now disputed strip of land, including the retaining wall, would remain part of the east parcel. 46120 -0 -II

We note that the record does not contain an appraisal of the property Argent took as security

in exchange for the loan. Although Riley mentions that " Argent had an appraisal done and

obtained title insurance before escrow closed on the refinance," neither the appraisal nor the title

insurance are attached as exhibits or are otherwise contained in the record. CP at 320. We further

note that the record also does not contain a title report. Although the record contains the first page

of a title commitment for Argent' s servicing company, it merely refers to the property by its legal

description, " Lot 1, Block 3, SUNSET VIEW ADDITION TO THE CITY OF VANCOUVER,

according to the plat thereof, recorded in Book `D' of plats, page 101, records of Clark County, Washington." CP. at 361. When viewed in the light most favorable to Riley, genuine issues of

material fact exist regarding the information Argent had when it took the east parcel as security

for its loan and whether Argent and Riley agreed to the retaining wall as a new boundary. Thus, a

genuine issue of material fact exists as to this element of the common grantor doctrine and the trial

court erred by granting Valaer summary judgment.

III. LIABILITY RULE

Riley argues that genuine issues of material fact exist as to the applicability of the liability rule. We agree. Although the trial court' s final written order quieted title in Valaer under the

common grantor doctrine only, the trial court noted in the reconsideration hearing that it had

alternatively granted partial summary judgment to Valaer under the liability rule. Generally,

Washington courts will order an encroacher to remove encroaching structures. Arnold v. Melani,

75 Wn. 2d 143, 152, 437 P. 2d 908 ( 1968). However, where such an order would be oppressive,

Washington courts recognize an exception. Arnold, 75 Wn.2d at 152. To trigger the exception

under the Arnold test, the encroacher must prove by clear and convincing evidence that

1) he did not simply take a calculated risk or act in bad faith, or act negligently, structure; ( 2) the damage to willfully, or indifferently in locating the encroaching the landowner is slight and the benefit of removal equally small; ( 3) there is ample

remaining room for a structure suitable for the area and there is no real limitation on the property' s future use; ( 4) it is impractical to move the encroaching structure as built; and ( 5) there is an enormous disparity in the resulting hardships.

Proctor v. Huntington, 146 Wn. App. 836, 847, 192 P. 3d 958 ( 2008) ( citing Arnold, 75 Wn.2d at

152), affd, 169 Wn.2d 491, 238 P. 3d 1117 ( 2010). If all the elements are satisfied, the trial court

may adjust the boundary of the disputed property. Proctor, 146 Wn. App. at 851. The first element of the Arnold test requires clear and convincing proof that "[ t] he

encroacher did not simply take a calculated risk, act in bad faith, or negligently, willfully or

locate the encroaching 75 Wn.2d at 152. Viewed in the light most indifferently structure."

favorable to issues fact exist as to this first element. The record does Riley, genuine of material

not demonstrate that Valaer acted with due diligence when purchasing the property. Valaer did

not inspect the property or review surveys prior to purchasing the east parcel at the trustee' s sale.

The record is void of facts to establish that Valaer did not simply take a calculated risk or act

negligently in locating the encroaching structure. Thus, the trial court erred by granting Valaer

summary judgment.

Because the first element of the Arnold test is not satisfied, we do not reach the remaining

elements.

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We reverse.

A majority of the panel. having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2. 06. 040,

it is so ordered.

V. — 7Oov a

t — J Melnicic, J.

We concur:

W orswick, J.

eanson, C. J.