Galola v. Snyder
Galola v. Snyder
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting in which ELDRIDGE, Judge joins.
For the reasons stated in my dissenting opinion in CitaraManis v. Hallowell, 328 Md. 142, 613 A.2d 964 (1992), I respectfully dissent.
ELDRIDGE, J., joins in these views.
Opinion of the Court
We issued a writ of certiorari in this case to consider issues similar to those presented in CitaraManis v. Hallowell, 328 Md. 142, 613 A.2d 964 (1992), which was then pending on our docket. Our decision in CitaraManis is dispositive of the instant case.
The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of Dale Snyder, the respondent here, on the following facts:
“The tenant [Snyder] acknowledges that he [sic] has examined the leased premises and his [sic] acceptance of this agreement is conclusive evidence that the said premises are in good and satisfactory order and repair, unless otherwise specified herein; ...”
Subsequently, the lease was extended to November 15, 1989, by mutual consent of the parties.
In June, 1989, Snyder complained to the Howard County Bureau of Inspections that the house was in need of repairs which had not been made by the Galolas. As a result of this complaint, the Galolas were made aware that any residential property in Howard County which is offered for rent must be licensed.
On June 13, 1989, the Galolas applied for the required rental license. That license was denied because an inspection by the licensing agency disclosed housing code violations consisting of cracks, holes, loose paint, loose plaster and water stains in and on the ceilings, water stains on the walls, windows that admit rain, a defective air conditioning unit, a defective wood stove, insufficient heat, dampness in habitable rooms, improper drainage, water in the basement, and a basement rail that was in disrepair. In addition to disapproving the application for a rental license, the housing inspector issued a notice requiring the Galolas to make the necessary repairs.
Snyder continued to occupy the property through October 24, 1989, but refused to pay any rent for the month of July or thereafter. On October 26,1989, the Galolas notified the Howard County Bureau of Inspections that they were withdrawing the property from the rental market, and subsequently, they sold the house.
After the case was transferred to the Circuit Court for Howard County for a jury trial, Galola moved for summary judgment on her counterclaim on the sole ground that because the property she rented was unlicensed the lease she had entered with the Gaolas was unenforceable and she was entitled to restitution of all rent paid thereunder. The trial court agreed, citing Golt v. Phillips, 308 Md. 1, 517 A.2d 328 (1986). The complaint of the Galolas was never disposed of by the circuit court; instead it certified the $24,000 judgment on Snyder’s counterclaim as final pursuant to Maryland Rule 2-602(b). The Galolas filed a timely appeal from that judgment. In an unreported opinion, the Court of Special Appeals affirmed. We granted the Galola's petition for a writ of certiorari and now reverse the judgment of the Court of Special Appeals.
Maryland Code (1975, 1983 Repl.Vol., 1988 Cum. Supp.) § 13-408(a) of the Commercial Law Article provides a private cause of action under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act (the CPA) for a tenant of residential property who has been the victim of unfair and deceptive trade practices by his or her landlord. Golt, 308 Md. at 8, 517 A.2d at 331. Rental of a dwelling that has not been licensed as required by a local housing code is an unfair and deceptive practice by a landlord. Id. at 9, 517 A.2d at 332. Nevertheless, in such an action the tenant is limited to recovering actual loss or injury caused by the deceptive trade practices. CitaraManis, 328 Md. at 153, 613 A.2d at 969; Golt, 308 Md. at 12, 517 A.2d at 333. A tenant is not
For these reasons the trial court improperly granted summary judgment on proof of no more than voluntary payment of rent by Snyder for property which had not been licensed by Howard County.
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS REVERSED; CASE REMANDED TO THAT COURT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO VACATE THE JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HOWARD COUNTY AND TO REMAND THE CASE TO THAT COURT FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS. COSTS IN THE COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS AND IN THIS COURT TO BE PAID BY THE RESPONDENT.
. We have limited our review of this decision to the sole ground relied upon by the trial court. See Federated Stores v. Le, 324 Md. 71, 79, 595 A.2d 1067, 1071 (1991); Boyer v. State, 323 Md. 558, 588, 594 A.2d 121, 136 (1991); Orkin v. Holy Cross Hospital, 318 Md. 429, 435, 569 A.2d 207, 210 (1990); Three Garden v. USF & G, 318 Md. 98, 107-08, 567 A.2d 85, 89 (1989).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Larry GALOLA Et Ux. v. Dale SNYDER
- Cited By
- 18 cases
- Status
- Published