Whitson v. Goudeseune
Whitson v. Goudeseune
Opinion of the Court
By their amended complaint plaintiffs seek, inter alia, a declaration that defendants as the owners of Lot 3, Tract No. 13567, in the city of Long Beach, do not have a right of way easement along the rear of Lots 12 and 13 which are owned by plaintiffs. They also seek, in the event the easement is established, a determination of the proper proportion of the expense of maintaining it in good repair that should be borne by each of the parties.
. The trial court found that a valid easement existed but declined to apportion the expenses of its upkeep. Plaintiffs appeal. We have concluded the decision of the trial court is correct on both aspects of the case.
It is clear, of course, that the language of the deed is adequate to convey an easement and discloses an intention to make the easement appurtenant to Lot 3, thus entitling the owner of this lot to the use and enjoyment thereof. (Moots v. Kasten, 90 Cal.App.2d 734, 736 [203 P.2d 537].)
Since the easement is appurtenant to Lot 3 it follows the ownership of this lot “into whomsoever’s hands the same may come.” (Currier v. Howes, 103 Cal. 431, 436 [37 P. 521].)
Plaintiffs contend that defendants do not have a valid easement because the owner of Lot 3 was not named in the easement deed. Their position, however, is not well founded. In Carlson v. Lindauer, 119 Cal.App.2d 292, 306 [259 P.2d 925], the court stated, “It is not necessary that a grantee in a deed be mentioned by name. If the designation or description is sufficient to identify the person or persons intended, the deed is effectual.” (Schade v. Stewart, 205 Cal. 658 [272 P. 567].) “That is certain which can be made certain.” (Civ. Code, § 3538.) In the Carlson ease the caption of the deed recited that it was between Union Oil Company, First Party, and “Lucy Lindauer hereinafter referred to as
Plaintiffs rely on Osterberg v. Osterberg, 68 Cal.App.2d 254 [156 P.2d 46]. That case is not inconsistent with our holding here. It simply says that a deed which does not contain the name of the grantee, i.e., the space for the designation of the grantee is blank, and there is “no sufficient identification of the party to whom the property is to be conveyed,” is a nullity (p. 264). Here there is “sufficient identification” of the persons to whom the easement is granted, viz., the owners of Lot 3 and their successors. The grant of the easement contained in the deed here in question is therefore effectual under the authorities previously cited.
Plaintiffs’ remaining complaint on appeal is that the trial court, having found that defendants held a valid easement over their property, should have apportioned the cost of maintaining the easement between the parties. The refusal to make the apportionment was based on the finding that “there are other parties served by the easement who are not before the court, particularly the owners of Lot 2, who are also served by said easement.” This is obviously an adequate reason for the court's position, for all those who enjoy the use of the right of way should share in its maintenance. But, of course, those who were not before the court would not be bound by any such order or judgment. Consequently any
Plaintiffs point to Civil Code, section 845, which provides that in the absence of an agreement the cost of maintaining such an easement should be shared proportionately to the use made of it by each owner. Plaintiffs have failed, however, to follow the procedure prescribed therein for apportionment of such costs. It is to the effect that any owner may apply to the superior court for the appointment of an impartial arbitrator to apportion these costs. If the arbitration award is not accepted by all the owners, the court may determine their proportionate liability. The section further provides that if any owner of an easement fails, after demand in writing, to pay his proportion of the expense, action may be brought against him for contribution. None of these provisions of section 845 was complied with. Plaintiffs, therefore, cannot complain that they were not granted relief under that section.
The judgment is affirmed.
Moore, P. J., and Ashburn, J. pro tern.,
Assigned by Chairman of Judicial Council.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.