4041-49 W MAPLE CONDO ASSN V COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS INC
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
4041-49 W. MAPLE CONDOMINIUM
ASSOCIATION,
FOR PUBLICATION
February 12, 2009
9:05 a.m.
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 282585
Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 2007-080594-CH
COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC.,
Defendant-Appellant.
Advance Sheets Version
Before: Wilder, P.J., and Cavanagh and Murray, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals as of right a judgment in plaintiff’s favor that includes the amount
secured by plaintiff’s lien, as well as interest, costs, and attorney fees, in this case arising from
defendant’s violation of the foreclosure notice provision of MCL 559.208(9). We vacate the
judgment and remand for entry of a judgment in plaintiff’s favor for nominal damages only.
Defendant held a mortgage by assignment on a condominium purchased by Roselene
Carter. On January 19, 2006, pursuant to MCL 559.208, plaintiff recorded a lien against the unit
for nonpayment of condominium assessments in the amount of $2,370, exclusive of interest, late
charges, attorney fees, and costs. On May 16, 2006, defendant foreclosed on its mortgage by
public sale. Defendant was the highest bidder, and the property was transferred to it by a
sheriff’s deed. On February 2, 2007, plaintiff filed this action against defendant, alleging that
defendant had failed to give it proper notice of foreclosure, in violation of MCL 559.208(9). In
particular, plaintiff was notified of the foreclosure sale on May 16, 2006, the same day as the
foreclosure sale, which was insufficient notice and deprived plaintiff of valuable rights.
Subsequently, plaintiff moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10),
arguing that there was no genuine issue of material fact that plaintiff did not receive proper
notice of the foreclosure sale in violation of MCL 559.208(9), which required that plaintiff
receive notice of the sale within 10 days after the first publication of notice. As a consequence,
plaintiff argued, it was precluded from preserving its lien interest, causing it to suffer damages in
the amount of $5,237.63, plus interest, attorney fees, and costs.
In opposition, defendant argued that plaintiff’s claim that the lack of notice deprived it of
the ability to preserve its lien was without merit. To preserve its lien, plaintiff had to either
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purchase the property at the foreclosure sale or redeem the property. After the sale, defendant
presented plaintiff with the opportunity to purchase the sheriff’s deed, which plaintiff refused.
Plaintiff also failed to redeem the property, and its lien was extinguished on November 15, 2006.
Plaintiff’s statutory legal claim against Carter for all unpaid assessments and recoverable fees
and costs had not been impaired. Accordingly, defendant argued, it was entitled to summary
disposition rather than plaintiff because plaintiff failed to state a cause of action under MCL
559.208(9). There simply were no legal damages. Even if plaintiff had received timely notice of
the foreclosure, the result would have been the same.
In its reply brief, plaintiff argued that the only issue in this case was whether defendant
failed to give plaintiff the notice required by statute and that there was no genuine issue of
material fact that defendant failed to give such notice. Thus, plaintiff was entitled to summary
disposition with respect to liability, and the issue of damages remained to be litigated. Plaintiff
argued that defendant’s failure to give the statutory notice deprived plaintiff of various options
regarding the protection of its lien. The purported options denied included “holding meetings,
raising money, levying assessments, securing the necessary funds to redeem, negotiating with the
co-owner to reinstate the mortgage, tendering mortgage payments on behalf of the co-owner,
etc.” Accordingly, plaintiff argued, because defendant clearly violated MCL 559.208(9) by
failing to provide plaintiff the requisite notice, plaintiff was entitled to summary disposition on
the issue of liability.
On June 20, 2007, the trial court heard oral arguments. Plaintiff argued that the reason
for the notice provision in the statute was to provide condominium associations the opportunity
to take action with regard to the potential loss of their secured interests in condominium units.
As defendant admitted, defendant had failed to provide that notice. The extent of plaintiff’s
damages was irrelevant to the issue of defendant’s liability under the statute; therefore, plaintiff
was entitled to summary disposition with respect to the matter of liability, and the issue of
damages could be determined at an evidentiary or other hearing.
In response, defendant argued that, under MCL 559.158, condominium liens are
extinguished by the foreclosure and title vests, under MCL 600.3236, at the expiration of the
redemption period. Thus, defendant claimed, plaintiff’s arguments lacked merit. Defense
counsel admitted that defendant had not complied with the notice provision of the statute.
However, counsel argued, the only legal recourse plaintiff had was redemption. The court then
questioned defense counsel, asking, “And you acknowledge you did not give notice within ten
days?” Defense counsel responded, “That’s correct.” Then the trial court ruled as follows:
The issue before the Court is whether the Defendant failed to give the
Plaintiff proper notice of foreclosure as required under the statute. Plaintiff has
brought this motion under [MCR 2.116(C)(10)], which states that:
“Except as to the amount of damages, where there’s no genuine issue as to
any material fact, the moving party is entitled to judgment or partial judgment as a
matter of law.”
* * *
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In this matter, Defendant does not dispute and has provided no evidence to
dispute the fact that they did not give Plaintiff notice ten days before the first
published notice of foreclosure. Therefore, Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary
Disposition is granted as to liability only. The Court will hold a hearing to
determine damages.
On July 10, 2007, the court entered an order granting plaintiff’s motion for summary disposition.
On November 7, 2007, following a partial evidentiary hearing, the trial court rendered a
verdict in plaintiff’s favor. The court noted that MCL 559.208(9) provides for “legal recourse”
for failure to give the requisite notice, but does not further define “legal recourse.” The court
held that the statute was clearly intended to provide a legal remedy to the condominium
association for the failure of notice and that “it would, thus, be illogical to allow the Defendant to
foreclose out the association’s lien.” Further, the court held
that when Defendant foreclosed Plaintiff’s lien without proper notice, Plaintiff
suffered damages in the amount secured by the lien. In addition, because the
condominium bylaws provide that the association can recoup interest, costs and
attorney fees incurred in the collection of unpaid assessments, those costs are also
included in the Plaintiff’s damages.
Thus, the Court is satisfied that Defendant took title to the condominium
subject to the lien.
On November 28, 2007, the court entered an order to that effect. This appeal followed.
First, defendant argues that the trial court erred when it granted plaintiff’s motion for
summary disposition on the issue of liability because plaintiff failed to establish that defendant’s
acts were the proximate cause of plaintiff’s damages. After review de novo of the evidence to
determine whether a material factual dispute exists, we disagree. See MCR 2.116(C)(10); Spiek
v Dep’t of Transportation, 456 Mich 331, 337; 572 NW2d 201 (1998); Rice v Auto Club Ins
Ass’n, 252 Mich App 25, 30-31; 651 NW2d 188 (2002).
Defendant claims that plaintiff asserted “a negligence cause of action based on a violation
of civil statute, MCL 559.208(9).” But plaintiff did not assert a negligence cause of action.
Plaintiff merely alleged in its complaint that defendant had pursued a course of conduct in
violation of its statutory duties under MCL 559.208(9): namely, defendant failed to give the
required notice of foreclosure. See, e.g., Lash v Traverse City, 479 Mich 180, 191; 735 NW2d
628 (2007). Defendant, through its counsel, admitted that it had violated MCL 559.208(9).
Accordingly, the trial court held that there was no genuine issue of material fact that defendant
violated the statute and granted plaintiff’s motion for summary disposition, limited to the issue of
liability. See MCR 2.116(C)(10). We agree with that decision. Thus, defendant’s claim is
without merit; this was not a negligence action.
Next, defendant argues that the trial court erroneously interpreted the term “legal
recourse,” as that term is used in MCL 559.208(9), because the court imposed “absolute liability
in the amount of the Association’s lien.” We agree.
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The relevant part of MCL 559.208(9) provides: “Failure of the mortgagee to provide
notice as required by this section shall only provide the association with legal recourse and will
not, in any event, invalidate any foreclosure proceeding between a mortgagee and mortgagor.”
With regard to its interpretation of this provision, the trial court held as follows:
It is clear that the legislature stated that the foreclosure sale between the
mortgagor and the mortgagee would not be invalidated. However, it is also clear
that it intended to provide a legal remedy to the association, and it would, thus, be
illogical to allow the Defendant to foreclosure out the Association’s lien.
When Defendant sought to foreclose Plaintiff’s lien without proper notice,
Plaintiff suffered damages in the amount secured by the lien. Because the
condominium bylaws provide that the association can recoup interest, costs and
attorney fees incurred in the collection of unpaid assessments, those costs,
including the costs of the within litigation, are also included in Plaintiff’s
damages and secured by Plaintiff’s lien.
Defendant took title to the condominium unit subject to Plaintiff’s lien.
After review de novo of this issue of statutory interpretation, we disagree with the trial
court’s reasoning. See Detroit v Ambassador Bridge Co, 481 Mich 29, 35; 748 NW2d 221
(2008). Our primary goal with regard to statutory interpretation is to ascertain and give effect to
the intent of the Legislature. Neal v Wilkes, 470 Mich 661, 665; 685 NW2d 648 (2004). We
first turn to the language of the statute. Halloran v Bhan, 470 Mich 572, 577; 683 NW2d 129
(2004). The fair and natural import of the terms employed, in view of the subject matter of the
law, governs. In re Wirsing, 456 Mich 467, 474; 573 NW2d 51 (1998). If the plain and ordinary
meaning of the language is clear, judicial construction is not permitted. Nastal v Henderson &
Assoc Investigations, Inc, 471 Mich 712, 720; 691 NW2d 1 (2005).
Defendant does not dispute that MCL 559.208(9) provides for a private right of action for
its violation. The statute states: “Failure of the mortgagee to provide notice as required by this
section shall only provide the association with legal recourse . . . .” That is, the failure to abide
by the notice requirements of this civil statute constitutes a civil wrong—a tort—for which a
civil action may be instituted in an effort to pursue a legal remedy. See, e.g., Prosser & Keeton,
Torts (5th ed), § 1, pp 1-7; Tate v Grand Rapids, 256 Mich App 656, 660; 671 NW2d 84 (2003).
The statute does not, however, prescribe the remedy for its violation. The remedy requested by
plaintiff in this case was money damages in the amount secured by its assessment lien against the
condominium, plus associated interest, costs, and attorney fees.
In accordance with tort law principles, then, plaintiff had the burden of proving its actual
damage with reasonable certainty. See Hofmann v Auto Club Ins Ass’n, 211 Mich App 55, 108;
535 NW2d 529 (1995). Remote, contingent, or speculative damages cannot be recovered in
Michigan in a tort action. Sutter v Biggs, 377 Mich 80, 86; 139 NW2d 684 (1966). However,
nominal damages are generally sufficient to sustain a cause of action. See, e.g., Health Call of
Detroit v Atrium Home & Health Care Services, Inc, 268 Mich App 83, 107; 706 NW2d 843
(2005). “Nominal damages are those damages recoverable where plaintiff’s rights have been
violated by breach of contract or tortious injury, but no actual damages have been sustained or
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none can be proved.” 7 Michigan Civil Jurisprudence, Damages, § 9, p 313. For example, the
law infers some damage—at least nominal damage—from the breach of a contract, Vandenberg
v Slagh, 150 Mich 225, 229; 114 NW 72 (1907), and from the infringement of a legal righ, such
as by trespass to land, Adams v Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co, 237 Mich App 51, 67; 602 NW2d 215
(1999).
Defendant admitted that it did not provide plaintiff with the notice required under MCL
559.208(9); thus, it breached its statutory duty to do so. A cause of action exists regardless of
whether a plaintiff proves that it suffered actual monetary damage as a result of the violation, i.e.,
actual monetary damage is not an element of this cause of action. The plaintiff could have
merely suffered the loss of an opportunity to purchase the property at the public sale. The real
dispute in this case is whether plaintiff was entitled to recover as damages the amount secured by
its assessment lien. The trial court held that plaintiff was so entitled because the statute clearly
intended to provide such a plaintiff with a legal remedy. Although the possibility of a legal
remedy exists by this statutory authority, a plaintiff must still prove entitlement to the specific
remedy requested.
Defendant argues that, because plaintiff’s lien was subordinate to defendant’s lien, the
foreclosure of defendant’s mortgage—with or without notice—extinguishes that lien by
operation of MCL 559.158. Thus, defendant argues, the legal remedy plaintiff sought, and the
trial court provided, was not a proper remedy. Plaintiff argues, however, that if it had been
notified about the foreclosure, it could have instituted efforts to preserve its lien. These proposed
efforts included “holding meetings, raising money, levying assessments, securing the necessary
funds to redeem, negotiating with the co-owner to reinstate the mortgage, tendering mortgage
payments on behalf of the co-owner, etc.” But clearly, whether these proposed efforts would
have been undertaken or even fruitful is unknown. Plaintiff does not appear to have had a formal
procedure in place to deal with such situations.
If plaintiff’s efforts to avert the foreclosure had been unsuccessful, it is undisputed that to
preserve its lien rights, plaintiff would have had to either purchase the property at the foreclosure
sale or redeem the property. Accordingly, in the situation in which a defendant foreclosed on its
mortgage without the requisite statutory notice to a plaintiff, the remedy sought through “legal
recourse” could be related to the availability of these lost opportunities. But, in this case,
plaintiff had the opportunity to do both and did neither. Thus, plaintiff’s lien was extinguished
the same as it would have been if plaintiff had received proper notice of the foreclosure and
failed in its efforts to avert the foreclosure. In other words, the amount secured by plaintiff’s lien
may or may not have been recoverable—it would depend on plaintiff’s actions between the time
it received the requisite notice and the time of foreclosure, as well as several other variables.
Therefore, we conclude that an award in the amount of plaintiff’s assessment lien constituted an
impermissible award of remote, contingent, or speculative damages. See Sutter, supra at 86;
Hofmann, supra at 108. Thus, we reverse the trial court’s award of such damages and the
associated award of “interest, costs and attorney fees incurred in the collection of unpaid
assessments . . . .”
However, because defendant had a statutory duty to timely notify plaintiff of the
foreclosure and breached its duty, we conclude that plaintiff was entitled to an award of nominal
damages. In so holding, we do not rule out the possibility of a factual scenario existing whereby
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a plaintiff in this situation could establish that it suffered actual damage because of the lack of
notice. It just has not been established in this case. Further, plaintiff is not without a legal
remedy with regard to the unpaid assessments. As set forth in the Condominium Act, including
MCL 559.208(5), plaintiff can file a legal action against the co-owner of the unit, Carter, who
failed to pay the assessments, to secure a money judgment in the amount of the unpaid
assessments, as well as other amounts deemed owing under the applicable contract and law.
In summary, MCL 559.208(9) permits “legal recourse” for its violation. “Legal
recourse” can include the filing of a civil action that seeks an award of monetary damages. To
recover such damages, the plaintiff must prove its actual damage with reasonable certainty.
Remote, contingent, or speculative damages cannot be recovered. If actual damage is not
sufficiently proved, an award of nominal damages in plaintiff’s favor is proper. In this case,
plaintiff sought, and the trial court awarded, damages in the amount secured by plaintiff’s
assessment lien, plus associated interest, costs, and attorney fees. Plaintiff failed to establish that
it was entitled to those damages. An award of nominal damages, however, is appropriate in this
case. In light of our resolution of this matter, we need not consider defendant’s other issues on
appeal.
We vacate the trial court’s judgment and remand for entry of a judgment in plaintiff’s
favor for nominal damages only. We do not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ Kurtis T. Wilder
/s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
/s/ Christopher M. Murray
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