Boseck v. Riter

Judgment modified, by striking out interest allowed, and, as so modified, affirmed, with costs.

I would like to vote for affirmance in this case, but I do not see how the judgment can be affirmed unless we disregard the authorities construing the lien law. Chapter "418, Laws 1897, in stating the requirements of the notice of lien, provides it shall state (section 9):

“(4) The labor performed or to be performed, the materials furnished, or to be furnished, and the agreed price or value thereof. (5) The amount unpaid to the lienor for said labor or materials.”

There are, therefore, two indispensable requirements contained in the lien law. One is that the agreed price or value must be stated; and, second, fhe amount unpaid. In this case the notice states that the claimant has or claims—

“a lien * * * for two hundred fifty-eight dollars and twenty-five cents ($258.25), being the value and agreed price of certain work, labor, and services performed and materials furnished, to wit: Balance due for material furnished and building house known as No. 44 Baton street. For the improvement of said real property hereinafter described.”

Now it is apparent from this notice that the claimant is not stating the agreed price of the work performed and materials furnished, but only the balance due; and that is obvious from the proof as well, because the contract price for the work was $3,800, so that there is no compliance with subdivision 4 of section 9 of the lien law, and the authorities hold this is indispensable. Mitchell v. Dunmore Realty

I think the judgment should be reversed.

ROBSON, J., concurs.