Opinion
B297634
09-25-2020
MES INVESTMENTS, LLC, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. DADSON WASHER SERVICE, INC., Defendant and Respondent.
Jay R. Stein for Plaintiff and Appellant. Stark, Friedman & Chapman and Jeannette C.C. Darrow, Santa Ana, for Defendant and Respondent.
Certified for Partial Publication.
For good cause appearing, the opinion is now certified for publication with the exception of parts 1 and 3 of the Discussion. (Rule 8.1110, Cal. Rules of Court.)
Jay R. Stein for Plaintiff and Appellant.
Stark, Friedman & Chapman and Jeannette C.C. Darrow, Santa Ana, for Defendant and Respondent.
EGERTON, J. In February 2017, plaintiff and appellant MES Investments, LLC (MES) purchased a 22-unit residential apartment complex in the West Hollywood area of Los Angeles. Some years earlier, in March 2002, the property's prior owner entered into a written lease agreement with defendant Dadson Washer Service, Inc. (Dadson) for the lease of a laundry space in the complex. The lease had an initial term of 10 years and would automatically renew for two additional 10-year terms, unless Dadson elected not to renew it. The lease was already on its second 10-year term when MES purchased the property. MES notified Dadson that it had determined the lease was "no longer operative" because the renewal provision did not comply with Civil Code section 1945.5. Dadson disagreed and refused to vacate the premises. MES filed suit for declaratory relief and cancellation of the lease.
Civil Code section 1945.5 makes an "automatic renewal" provision of a lease "for the hiring of residential real property" voidable "by the party who did not prepare the lease" unless the renewal provision is printed in "at least eight-point boldface type" and notice of the provision appears "immediately prior to the place where the lessee executes the agreement." Statutory references are to the Civil Code unless otherwise indicated.
Dadson defeated MES's claims at a bench trial. Because Dadson had leased a non-residential area in the apartment complex for a commercial purpose, the trial court concluded section 1945.5 did not apply to the lease's renewal provision. And, although the lease was not duly recorded, the court ruled MES was nevertheless bound by it, because MES had actual knowledge of the lease when it purchased the property. MES appeals these rulings, as well as the court's order awarding Dadson contractual attorney fees and costs. We affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Dadson is a coin-operated washing machine service company. It provides and services washing machines and dryers in apartment buildings. The company has about 50 employees and about 3,500 active locations with property leases. Dadson enters into leases with the owners of apartment buildings and provides coin-operated laundry equipment for use by the buildings’ tenants. The leases typically provide for the building owner to share in the machines’ profits above a specified minimum.
On March 11, 2002, Dadson entered into a written lease agreement with 1235 N. Detroit Ave. Associates LLC (Detroit Ave. Associates). The lease provides: "LESSOR grants, conveys and transfers to LESSEE [Dadson] the exclusive use and possession of the laundry room(s) located at the real property commonly known as: [¶] 1235 N. DETROIT AVE., LOS ANGELES [¶] consisting of 22 units ("LEASED PREMISES"), for the purpose of installing, maintaining, and operating coin-operated laundry equipment, to have and to hold the same for and during a term of ten years." The lease states that it "shall be binding upon all future owners of the real property described above" and that it "is the intention of the parties that this lease run with the land described above." Additional terms and conditions are set forth on the backside of the one-page lease agreement, including an automatic renewal provision for two additional 10-year terms, unless Dadson gives the lessor written notice of its intention not to renew.
Above the signature lines for the lessor and lessee on the front of the document, the lease states: "All of the terms and conditions set forth in the TERMS AND CONDITIONS on the reverse side of this page and in any addendums are incorporated and made a part hereof. LESSOR REPRESENTS THAT HE OR SHE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS."
The actual street address of the 22-unit apartment complex is 1235 N. Detroit St. —not 1235 N. Detroit Ave. as stated in the Dadson lease. Thus, when the parties recorded the lease with the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, it was not duly recorded as part of the property's chain of title.
Before MES completed its purchase of the property, it received a preliminary title report from North American Title Company. The report disclosed an exception from title insurance coverage for "[a]n unrecorded lease dated March 6, 2002, executed by Jeff Lloyd [the Managing Member of Detroit Ave. Associates] as lessor and Dadson Washer Service, Inc. as lessee, as disclosed by a Lease of Laundry Space recorded May 24, 2002 as Instrument No. 2-1208924 of Official Records."
MES's manager, Mark Samuel, reviewed the preliminary title report during escrow. Samuel also reviewed an electronic copy of the Dadson lease through a hyperlink included in the report. He testified that he "felt" the lease did not apply to his property because it stated the leased premises were located at 1235 N. Detroit "Ave."—not "St." Samuel did, however, search for the property address online, and found that when he searched for 1235 N. Detroit Ave., the search engine returned pictures of his property at 1235 N. Detroit St.
Samuel also physically inspected the property before closing escrow. He saw washing machines in the complex's laundry room, which also housed tenant mailboxes, a telephone utility box, and a water heater. He claimed not to have noticed a large bright blue and white sign on a wall adjacent to two washing machines with "Dadson" written in very large letters.
On February 28, 2017, MES purchased the property. The day after closing escrow, Samuel sent a letter notifying Dadson that MES was the "new owner of the property located at 1235 N. Detroit St." Samuel wrote that he was "reviewing all of the contracts related to the apartment" and that he would "get back to Dadson Washer in the near future."
On April 18, 2017, Samuel sent a second letter to Dadson notifying the company of MES's determination that "the lease in issue is no longer operative." Samuel wrote: "My review of the lease establishes that it is in violation of Civil Code Section 1945.5 as the renewal terms do not comply. I do not accept the lease as the new owner. At best you have a month to month tenancy." The letter demanded Dadson "remove all of [its] equipment" by June 30, 2017. Dadson did not remove its equipment.
On July 19, 2017, MES filed its complaint against Dadson for declaratory relief, cancellation of the lease, and reasonable rental value. MES alleged Dadson could not enforce the lease as a "covenant running with the land" because the lease was not " ‘duly recorded.’ " And it asserted the lease's automatic renewal provision was "void or voidable" because it did not comply with section 1945.5.
After a bench trial, the court issued a proposed statement of decision ruling in favor of Dadson on all claims. The court rejected MES's assertion that the failure to duly record the lease rendered it unenforceable against successors in interest. Notwithstanding the deficient recording and the Ave./St. discrepancy, the court found there was "overwhelming" evidence that MES had actual knowledge of the lease before it closed escrow. Thus, the court concluded MES was not a bona fide purchaser and MES did not acquire the property free of Dadson's leasehold interest.
With respect to the automatic renewal provision, the court ruled section 1945.5 did not apply to Dadson's lease. While the statute mandates how automatic renewal provisions must appear in a lease for "the hiring of residential real property" ( § 1945.5 ), the court found Dadson did not hire "the leased premises for residential purposes." Instead, it had hired the premises for the purpose of " ‘installing, maintaining, and operating coin-operated laundry equipment.’ "
MES objected to the proposed statement of decision. It argued the bona fide purchaser analysis was insufficient to establish the lease's enforceability against a successor purchaser. MES maintained the lease could not be deemed a covenant running with the land due to the recording deficiency and, therefore, the court was required to determine whether the lease was a personal covenant binding in equity against MES. As for section 1945.5, MES argued the court improperly "differentiate[d] between the residential aspects of the apartment house tenants and the commercial aspects of the laundry lease." It argued this differentiation was contrary to the "real world practicalities" of the property's composition.
After receiving Dadson's response to MES's objections, the court entered its final statement of decision without substantive changes. And, after briefing and oral argument, the court awarded Dadson prevailing party costs and contractual attorney fees as provided in the lease.
DISCUSSION
1. The Dadson Lease Is Enforceable Against MES under Civil Code section 1217
See footnote *, ante .
2. Section 1945.5 Does Not Apply to the Dadson Lease
Section 1945.5 makes an "automatic renewal" provision in a lease "for the hiring of residential real property" "voidable by the party who did not prepare the lease" unless the renewal provision is printed in "at least eight-point boldface type" and notice of the provision, in the same typeface, appears "immediately prior to the place where the lessee executes the agreement." The statute's apparent purpose is to give a residential tenant (who likely did not prepare the lease) the option to avoid a new lease term unless the tenant received clear notice of the automatic renewal provision. It is undisputed that Dadson prepared the lease and that the automatic renewal provision did not meet section 1945.5 ’s typeface and notice requirements.
The legislative focus on residential tenants is also apparent in the requirement for a notification to appear "immediately prior to the place where the lessee executes the agreement." (§ 1945.5, italics added.) Thus, while the statute makes a noncompliant lease "voidable by the party who did not prepare the lease," the statutory text strongly indicates the Legislature believed that party would, more often than not, be the residential tenant—i.e., the "lessee." (Ibid .)
The trial court determined section 1945.5 did not apply to the Dadson lease because the lease was not "for the hiring of residential real property." ( § 1945.5, italics added.) Rather, the court found Dadson had leased "a room used for mechanicals —a telephone box, a water heater, and mailboxes—within a residential apartment complex" for the purpose of " ‘installing, maintaining, and operating coin-operated laundry equipment.’ "
MES argues the trial court's ruling improperly "differentiate[s] between the residential aspects of the apartment house" and the "commercial aspects of the laundry lease." It maintains the Detroit St. property must be "considered an apartment complex as all aspects of it are provided to facilitate the habitation of the tenants," including the "laundry room area." Because the laundry area is an "essential component" of the apartment complex, MES argues it must be deemed " ‘residential real property’ " under section 1945.5. We disagree. The interpretation of statutory language is a judicial function subject to our de novo review. ( Ruiz v. Musclewood Investment Properties, LLC (2018) 28 Cal.App.5th 15, 20, 238 Cal.Rptr.3d 835 ( Ruiz ).) We apply established rules of statutory construction to interpret the phrase "hiring of residential real property" in section 1945.5. " ‘ "Under settled canons of statutory construction, in construing a statute we ascertain the Legislature's intent in order to effectuate the law's purpose. [Citation.] We must look to the statute's words and give them their usual and ordinary meaning. [Citation.]" ’ [Citation.] ‘In doing so, however, we do not consider the statutory language "in isolation." [Citation.] Rather, we look to "the entire substance of the statute ... in order to determine the scope and purpose of the provision .... [Citation.]" [Citation.] ... We must harmonize "the various parts of a statutory enactment ... by considering the particular clause or section in the context of the statutory framework as a whole." ’ [Citation.] ‘ "The statute's plain meaning controls the court's interpretation unless its words are ambiguous." ’ " ( Ruiz, at p. 21, 238 Cal.Rptr.3d 835.)
Section 1945.5 is found in Chapter 2 of Title 5 of the Civil Code, which governs the hiring of real property. Section 1940, the introductory section of Chapter 2, states in relevant part: "[T]his chapter shall apply to all persons who hire dwelling units located within this state including tenants, lessees, boarders, lodgers, and others, however denominated." (§ 1940, subd. (a), italics added.) Under subdivision (c), the term " ‘Dwelling unit’ means a structure or the part of a structure that is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person who maintains a household or by two or more persons who maintain a common household." (§ 1940, subd. (c), italics added.)
MES argues we can take no guidance from section 1940, because "the title of Chapter 2 [of the Civil Code] is ‘Hiring of Real Property,’ not ‘Hiring of Dwelling Units.’ " We fail to see how that distinction makes any substantive difference. In any event, while neither "residential real property" nor "commercial real property" are defined in Chapter 2, the terms are defined in Title 5 of the Civil Code at sections 1954.51 and 1954.26 in the Chapters governing residential and commercial rent control. The definitions set forth in those two sections evidence the Legislature's plain recognition that both types of property can exist in a single structure.
Consistent with sections 1940 and 1945.5, section 1954.51 defines "Residential real property" to include "any dwelling or unit that is intended for human habitation." ( § 1954.51, subd. (e).) In contrast, section 1954.26 defines "Commercial property" to include "any part, portion, or unit thereof, and any related facilities, space, or services, except the following [¶] (1) Any dwelling or dwelling unit subject to the provisions of Section 1940 ." ( § 1954.26, subd. (d), italics added.) Construing section 1945.5, which also appears in Title 5 of the Civil Code, consistent with these definitions and the definition of "dwelling unit" in section 1940, subdivision (c), we conclude a lease for "the hiring of residential real property" means a contract for the temporary possession of a dwelling unit—i.e., the part of a structure that is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by those who maintain a household in it.
MES acknowledges Title 5's rent control statutes are relevant to our construction of section 1945.5. It also tacitly concedes the laundry room does not serve as a home, residence, or sleeping place for any of the apartment complex's tenants. Nevertheless, MES asserts the rent control statutes do "not limit the definition of ‘residential real property’ to only the inhabited portions of the property." (Underlining omitted.) It maintains the critical feature is not habitability, but whether the laundry room is an "integral part of the residential apartment house property."
MES relies upon People v. Woods (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 345, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 917, a criminal case that considered whether a " ‘commercial laundry facility’ within the common area of an apartment complex" constituted "an inhabited dwelling house" under the burglary statute. ( Id. at p. 347, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 917.) As the Woods court explained, "[t]he burglary statute defines ‘inhabited’ as ‘currently being used for dwelling purposes, whether occupied or not,’ " and "[c]ase law has expanded the definition of ‘inhabited dwelling house’ to include areas not normally considered part of the ‘living space’ of a home." ( Id. at pp. 347–348, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 917, citing Pen. Code, § 459 ; People v. Moreno (1984) 158 Cal.App.3d 109, 204 Cal.Rptr. 17 ; People v. Zelaya (1987) 194 Cal.App.3d 73, 239 Cal.Rptr. 289.) Those cases had held that "a basement room or garage, ‘under the same roof’ with the living quarters, ‘functionally’ connected therewith, and an ‘integral part’ thereof, is part of an ‘inhabited dwelling house’ within the meaning of Penal Code section 460." ( Zelaya, at p. 75, 239 Cal.Rptr. 289 ; Woods, at p. 348, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 917.) But the rationale for this construction was rooted in a purpose unique to the burglary law—to "give effect to the legislative belief that: ‘Victims inside buildings are more vulnerable to felonious conduct than victims out of doors.’ " ( Zelaya, at p. 75, 239 Cal.Rptr. 289 ; see also Woods, at p. 350, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 917 ["safety and privacy expectations surrounding an inhabited dwelling house are present in the common area laundry room of the apartment complex Woods burgled here"].) That purpose bears no relationship to the concern for tenant protection that apparently induced the Legislature's adoption of section 1945.5. Woods and the other burglary cases are inapposite. The evidence supports the trial court's finding that the laundry room was not residential real property, but rather a machine room, separate and distinct from the dwelling units that the tenants used as their homes, residences, and sleeping places within the apartment complex. The trial court correctly concluded section 1945.5 does not apply to the Dadson laundry room lease.
Under Penal Code section 460, first degree burglary is "[e]very burglary of an inhabited dwelling house; ... [¶] ... [a]ll other kinds of burglary are of the second degree."
3. Dadson Timely Filed Its Motion for Attorney Fees and Memorandum of Costs
See footnote *, ante .
DISPOSITION
The judgment and the attorney fees and costs awards are affirmed. Dadson is entitled to its costs.
We concur:
EDMON, P. J.
DHANIDINA, J.