A construction company built a home, which was purchased from the developer by plaintiff. In her action against the builder and developer, plaintiff alleged the home suffered from numerous construction defects. The trial court granted defendants’ summary adjudication of issues after defendants argued the Right to Repair Act [Civil Code section 895, et seq.] provides the […]
Homeowner’s Association (HOA) Has Standing To Sue Developers.
The developers of an upscale condominium project entered into a parking license agreement, licensing the use of parking spaces appurtenant to the property “for the benefit of the residential homeowners association,” [HOA] but before the homeowners association actually existed. According to the agreement, the license is “perpetual,” “shall be at no cost,” is “irrevocable” and “the […]
Award Of Private Attorney General Attorney Fees Reversed.
In the trial court in a matter concerning a homeowner’s request to build an addition, which had been denied in part by the Coastal Commission, the superior court issued a writ of mandate stating that the Coastal Commission’s findings with respect to a bluff edge were not supported by substantial evidence. Thereafter the trial court awarded […]
Public/Private Agreements & Attorney Fees.
Plaintiff is a health care district is a public agency established in 1948 pursuant to the Health and Safety Code. Defendants include one of the hospitals that was operated by the district prior to 1998 as well as a nonprofit corporation formed to operate the hospital for the district. In 2004, when defendant hospital faced closure […]
Developer Dilemma.
As a condition of a city giving approval for a developer to build 96 condominiums on a parcel of land, the city required the developer to set aside 10 condo units at below the market rate and make a substantial contribution to a city fund. The developer proceeded with construction but challenged the city’s requirements pursuant […]
Seller’s Agreement To Subordinate Its Security Interest To That Of The Bank’s Unenforceable.
The court’s first paragraph says it all: “This case involves competing claims of lien priority between the seller of real property, which took back a security interest on property sold to a developer, and the bank which financed development of the project through a construction loan. The issue is whether the seller’s agreement to subordinate its […]
Right To Repair Act Does Not Eliminate Homeowner’s Common Law Rights.
A homeowner purchased a newly constructed home from defendant. A pipe burst, resulting in significant damage. The homeowner’s insurer, plaintiff, paid the expenses and repair costs and then brought an action in subrogation for recovery. The trial court found the subrogation action was time barred under the Right to Repair Act [Civil Code section 895], and […]
Insured Entitled To Have Independent Counsel Representation.
Plaintiff hired a contractor to design and build a residence, and later brought an action against the contractor for breach of contract and several other causes of action. The contractor tendered its defense to its insurance company, which company appointed counsel and defended subject to a reservation of rights. The insurer filed a separate declaratory relief […]
Delayed Discovery Rule Waived In Construction Contract.
The construction contract executed by the parties included a clause which provided that all causes of action relating to the contract work would accrue from the date of substantial completion of the project, abrogating the delayed discovery rule. The trial court concluded the clause was valid and enforceable, noting that the agreement “was one between sophisticated […]
Watch Out For That Nonsettling Party!
In a construction defect case, a homeowners association settled with all but one party, a roofing company. After the settling parties signed the settlement agreement, one of the defendants dismissed its cross-complaint against the nonsettling party, mailing its written notice of dismissal on July 14, 2011. The nonsettling party filed a cost bill on August 2, […]