Majority
It appears that on September 28,. 1920, appellants filed the complaint upon which this suit is based, alleging that at all times from July 2, 1903, until March 1, 1913, the Antioak Leather Company was a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of California, and that on said last-mentioned date its charter was forfeited for nonpayment of the state license tax; that appellants were the directors
The defendant Biedebach, respondent herein, filed a separate answer, denying the formal allegations of the complaint for want of knowledge or information, and specifically denying directly that on March 1, 1913, the Antioak Leather Company was, or that the plaintiffs, as trustees or otherwise, had been the owners or entitled to possession of any of said real property; affirmatively alleging that the answering defendant claimed to own an estate in all of the property described in the complaint except in nine lots numbered 2, 8, 12, 24, 26, 31, 32, 33, and 34; that the plaintiffs and their predecessors in interest had been dispossessed and disseized of all of said property described in their pleading since on or about March 1, 1913; that their action was barred by section 318 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and that all of said property was deeded to the state of California more than five years prior to the institution of said proceeding.
Biedebach also filed and served a cross-complaint, wherein it was alleged that he and his predecessors in interest had for a period of more than five years prior to the commencement of this action been in open, notorious, exclusive, and adverse possession of all of the real property involved therein (except the nine lots above mentioned), and “during all of said time have been occupying said premises and claiming same against the whole world, and has paid
The parties waived a jury, and at the close of the trial before the superior court substantially all of the allegations of the plaintiffs were found to be true, except that more than five years prior to the commencement of this suit respondent Harvey Biedebach and his predecessors in interest entered upon and took possession of lots 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, and 23 of the property described in the pleadings; that he had been in the open, notorious, and exclusive possession thereof; that he claimed to own the same under written muniments of title against the world, and had paid all taxes levied and assessed against said lots for more than five years previously to the filing of the complaint; that the plaintiffs as trustees had not during the period of time last mentioned been seized or possessed thereof, but that with the exception of said eight lots the plaintiffs, as trustees, were the owners and entitled to possession of all the real property in suit. The court also found that prior to the tax sales, under which respondent claimed title, all of the property described in the complaint was inclosed by a substantial fence sufficient to turn and inclose livestock, that certain buildings had been erected on parts thereof, without due regard to lot line, which said fence and buildings had been maintained by the plaintiffs to the date of trial, except that the respondent “on April 10, 1921, and on several occasions subsequent thereto, made certain repairs upon said fence.” It was further found that the ownership of Biedebach to said eight lots was based upon certain tax deeds executed by the tax collector during the years 1914 and 1919, for nonpayment of state and county taxes for the year 1908, and also upon a claim of title by
This appeal is taken from those specific parts of the judgment, (1) excepting the eight lots numbered 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, and 23, from the decree in favor of plaintiffs; (2) declaring that by reason of the adverse possession of said lots respondent and his predecessors in interest, M. Dawson and A. W. Erode, Biedebach is the owner and entitled to possession thereof, and that his title be quieted as against all claims of appellants; (3) allowing respondent to deduct from the total rents, issues, and profits received by him the taxes, penalties, interest, and costs above mentioned, in the sum of $613.54, and withholding from appellants the rents, issues, and profits collected by respondent for the use of said eight lots; and (4) from an order denying the plaintiffs’ motion to set aside the decree and to enter another and different decree “in conformity with the findings of fact and plaintiffs’ notice of intention to move for such order.”
Before entering into a discussion of the principal grounds upon which a reversal is sought, we pause to observe appellants’ attack upon the sufficiency of respondent’s answer. The complaint was in usual form, alleging ownership and right to possession of the real property described, that the defendants claimed some interest therein, and praying that the latter be required to set forth the nature of their claims. The answer denied the plaintiffs’ owner
It is insisted by appellants that there was no actual, continuous, uninterrupted adverse possession of any portion of the property, or dispossession of the plaintiffs, by respondent or his predecessors in interest, for any five-year period. It apparently is not respondent’s contention that appellants were in the first instance ejected from or dispossessed of the premises, his assertion being that they abandoned them, and that respondent and his predecessors in interest paid all taxes and penalties levied and assessed thereon, and occupied them either in person or by tenant for a period of more than five years next preceding the institution of these proceedings; that tenants in possession were notified in writing to pay rent to respondent or to vacate, in at least one instance a tenant being one of the plaintiffs, and that such notices were promptly observed without question; that appellants removed machinery and other personal property therefrom, that the premises were inclosed by fences and buildings, and that as the fences or other structures required, they were repaired by the respondent or his vendors.
It affirmatively appears without contradiction that prior to the forfeiture of its corporate charter by the Antioak Leather Company, and during the year 1908, all taxes levied and assessed upon the realty described in the complaint were permitted to become delinquent, and that in July, 1914, or more than a year after such forfeiture, the property here involved was sold for taxes and penalties; that one Erode purchased lots numbered 7, 22, and 23, and one Dawson purchased lots numbered 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 at
It thus becomes apparent that the plaintiffs not only displayed no intention of occupying or repairing the premises in question, but paid no taxes thereon after 1913, while respondent and his predecessors following the tax sales exercised every right and performed every duty incidental to ownership, having purchased at sales for delinquent taxes and paid subsequent assessments, besides claiming under a color of title.
“Where, as in the present case, the tax has been allowed to become delinquent and a sale has taken place and, so far as appears, a redemption has been made thereof, while the party or his successor in interest was in undisturbed possession and all this is done in good faith, we see no reason why the same should not be held to operate as a payment, and we think it is sufficient to bring the occupant within the terms of the statute which requires him to pay the taxes upon the property claimed.” {Owsley v. Matson, 156 Cal. 401 , 405 [ 104 Pac. 983 ].) To the same effect is Gray v. Walker, 157 Cal. 381 [ 108 Pac. 278 ].
The rule is well established in California that the use and occupation requisite to adverse possession do not always require “constant” use (Myers v. Berven, 166 Cal. 484 [ 137 Pac. 260 ]). It is enough that the property be devoted to the ordinary use of the occupant, and temporary abandonments or periods of vacancy which evince no intention of abandonment of possession do not interrupt the possession. (Montgomery & Mullen L. Co. v. Quimby, 164 Cal. 250 [ 128 Pac. 402 ]; Botsford v. Eyraud, 148 Cal. 431 [ 83 Pac. 1008 ]; Goodrich v. Mortimer, 44 Cal. App. 576 [ 186 Pac. 844 ].) Furthermore, any visible act which clearly demonstrates an intention to claim ownership and possession, and _ either puts the legal owner upon inquiry or conveys actual notice, is sufficient. (Franz v. Mendonca, 131 Cal. 205 [ 63 Pac. 361 ].) It is not necessary that
Many authorities are cited by appellants which hold that a mere claim of ownership, accompanied by intermittent periods of occupancy, does not constitute a possession under color of title, without interruption, contemplated by the statute. It appears, however, that the respondent and his predecessors in interest personally visited the property in question at least once a month, and that although their tenants were not in possession of all the eight lots all of the time, yet portions of the whole were occupied by lessees from the time of redemption until suit was filed, and at no time did appellants interrupt by actual possession or demand therefor. In fact, as we have observed, they became tenants of respondent and paid rent to him; and to all intents and purposes vacated as soon as their personal property could be disposed of. It appears by correspondence in the record that Hentzy urged his agents to sell machinery and other personalty of the defunct corporation at as early date as possible.
It is next contended that Erode, one of respondent’s vendors, did not retain in good faith the lots which he had purchased at the tax sale; that when Hentzy stated that the tax deeds were worthless Erode replied: “I told him it would take the Supreme Court to decide that, and that until they did decide that we would have to have some rent.” This statement is assigned by appellants as an indication of doubt in Erode’s mind as to his legal rights, but appellants fail to quote the entire answer of Erode in this respect, “and he made arrangements to pay me rent, and paid it to me" as long as the tenants were there. ... I kept some record of money received from Mr. Hentzy as rental for the premises I purchased at the tax sale. I have here all I was able to find. I think there is another cheek or two I might have found. Sometimes he would endorse the check he got, and sometimes he would give me one of his own. ... I gave him a receipt for the payments
Appellants argue that since there is no showing that Hentzy paid to Erode all of the rents which the former collected from tenants it should be assumed that both were equally in possession, and that payment of rent by Hentzy to Erode should not be permitted to estop appellants from claiming the legal title. We think from the facts already recited that this position is untenable. Erode purchased at the tax sale, and his deeds, whether valid or otherwise, constituted at least a color of title; tenants were notified to pay rents to him, and notices were prominently posted upon the premises, signed by Erode as owner; the tenants who may have occasionally and in a few instances paid rent to .Hentzy could not be said to have altered the rights or status of either party, since Hentzy paid Erode whatever rents Erode demanded, and if he collected • and retained moneys from certain tenants knowing as he did that Erode claimed the property by purchase, he is not justified under equitable principles in charging his admitted landlord with bad faith. Franklin v. Merida, 35 Cal. 558 , 575 [ 95 Am. Dec. 129 ], cited by appellants, merely holds that one in possession of land who is induced by mistake, fraud, or misrepresentations to accept a lease from' another may, upon discovery of the truth, go back of the lease and dispute the title of the fictitious landlord, and is not estopped to do so by the apparent relationship of landlord and tenant. Obviously that case is not here in point, except in so far as it approves the respondent’s right to show that he was not in fact a tenant of appellants. They apparently abandoned the property, paid no taxes and made no effort to set aside the tax deeds; Erode did not lease from Hentzy, and the former collected rents, but was never requested to pay rent to either of the appellants. Hence, there is no pretense in the record that Erode or his successor in interest, Biedebach, was ever considered as appellants’ tenant in any sense of the term.
Respondent alleged in his cross-complaint that in pursuit of the title of the state in and to said premises, he and his predecessors in interest had paid out and expended for taxes, penalties, and costs assessed and levied thereon,
“Whenever in any action at law, it has been or shall be determined by a court that the sale and conveyance provided for in this and the preceding section or in section three thousand seven hundred seventy-one of this code heretofore or hereafter made are void for any reason, and that the purchaser from the state may not be finally awarded the property so purchased, no decree of the court shall be given declaring a forfeiture of the property until the former owner, or other party in interest, shall have repaid to the purchaser the full amount of taxes, penalties and costs paid out and expended by him, to be determined by the court, in pursuit of the state’s title to the property so sold.”
As to the question of repairs, commissions, etc., expended in preservation of appellants’ properties, these moneys also were paid out for the use and benefit of the owners, and we know of no rule requiring one to institute a separate suit for their recovery. Respondent was not a trespasser, but occupied the premises in good faith, under a deed from the state. It would scarcely be questioned that if compelled to relinquish the property which he repaired he would have a cause of action for his just expenses in that behalf.
It appears that the corporate owner of the real property taxed was at one time known as the Anti Oak Leather Mfg. Co., and that thereafter, through reorganization, it was named the Antioak Leather Co., but that all taxes were assessed in the name of the original company. Appellants argue, and cite authorities announcing the rule, that while under section 3628 of the Political Code a mistake in name will not invalidate an assessment, it is the duty of the assessor to assess personal property in the true name of the owner, else the assessment is void. (Citing Lake County v. Sulphur Banks Q. S. M. Co., 66 Cal. 17 , 20 [ 4 Pac. 876 ].) However, appellants’ authorities in this regard are not applicable in the instant case. Lake County v. Sulphur Banks Q. S. M. Co., and others of like character, were direct suits for the collection of taxes which were held to be invalid. As we have already observed, in a suit to quiet title the owner will be required in equity to refund taxes, penalties, costs, and interests, regardless of the fact that defects and irregularities in the assessments might render the taxes uncollectible by the state. (Squires v. Estey, supra.)
Appellants insist that although assessments were attempted to be levied upon specific parcels of land, the streets had been abandoned, and that there was no means of ingress to or egress from the property except by way of Slauson Avenue, from which it is said that the several lots or parcels could not be identified. It appears, however, that Center Street and First Street have been in use since 1905, the property was inclosed, and on the easterly side a gate was maintained; that following the tax sale the purchasers measured their properties for the purpose of
As to the fourth and last ground urged for reversal wherein it is contended that the decree should have been set aside and another and different decree entered in “conformity with the findings of fact,” appellants base their entire argument upon the points hereinbefore discussed. Their motion in the trial court stated that “there is a failure to find as a fact that the defendant Biedebach and his predecessors in interest have been in continuous, adverse possession of any of the property described in plaintiffs’ amended complaint for more than five years immediately preceding the commencement of this action.” The court did find that “the defendant Harvey Biedebach, and his predecessors in interest, entered upon lots 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22 and 23 of the above described property, and for more than five (5) years prior to the filing of the complaint herein, have been, and said defendant has been, in the open, notorious and exclusive possession, claiming to own the same under written muniments of title, against the whole world, and has paid all taxes levied and assessed against the same for more than five years previous to the bringing of this action; ...” From what has already been said, it is apparent that such finding comports with section 325 of the Code of Civil Procedure requiring that one claiming by adverse possession shall have paid the taxes for at least five years successively, and the decree based thereon recites that respondent “is held to be the owner of and entitled to the exclusive possession of said last-named lots, and that his title thereto be quieted. . . . ”
No error prejudicial to appellants appearing, the order denying their motion to set aside said decree and the judgment are affirmed.
Thompson, J., and Collier, J., pro tem., concurred.
A petition for a rehearing of this cause was denied by the district court of appeal on December 15, 1927.
Cases cited
- Burris v. Kennedy 108 Cal. 331 at 344 p. 718
- United Land Ass'n v. Pacific Improvement Co. 139 Cal. 370 p. 718
- Owsley v. Matson 156 Cal. 401 at 405 p. 720
- Gray v. Walker 157 Cal. 381 p. 720
- Lacoste v. Eastland 117 Cal. 673 p. 721
- Myers v. Berven 166 Cal. 484 p. 721
- Montgomery & Mullen Lumber Co. v. Quimby 164 Cal. 250 p. 721
- Botsford v. Eyraud 148 Cal. 431 p. 721
- Goodrich v. Mortimer 44 Cal. App. 576 p. 721
- Franz v. Mendonca 131 Cal. 205 p. 721
- Franklin v. Merida 35 Cal. 558 at 575 p. 723
- Squires v. Estey 33 Cal. App. 287 p. 725
- Holland v. Hotchkiss 162 Cal. 366 p. 725
- Lake County v. Sulphur Bank Quicksilver Mining Co. 66 Cal. 17 at 20 p. 726