Van Alstine v. Biles
Van Alstine v. Biles
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff in error, Prank J. Van Alstine, brought an action against the defendant in error, Hannah M. Biles, in the municipal court of Cincinnati, alleging conversion of a wooden balcony, which plaintiff had erected in a business room leased by him from the defendant.
The case was tried to the court, resulting in a judgment for the defendant. Error was prosecuted by the plaintiff to the court of common pleas, and the judgment of the municipal court was affirmed by that court.
Error is prosecuted here to reverse the judgments of both courts.
Plaintiff was a tenant of a storeroom on East
There is some dispute in the testimony as to whether or not there was any permission given by the owner of the building to leave the balcony in the premises, and the extent of any such permission, if given.
Upon demand being made by the plaintiff, Van Alstine, for the removal of the balcony, the owner of the building, Hannah .M. Biles, through her agent, notified Van Alstine that the balcony was at his disposal, and ashed that it be removed as soon as possible, but required Van Alstine to obtain from the building commissioner’s office a permit, if required by the building code; and, further, to furnish a surety bond, conditioned that he would put the storeroom in as good condition as it was previous to the erection of the balcony.
Nowhere does it appear that the defendant, the owner of the property, sought to exercise any ownership over the property in question. The only question in the case is, Hoes the demand that
The plaintiff, Van Alstine, had been out of the property for many months, and had no connection therewith, other than a claim of dominion over the balcony. The most that can be said for the request of bond is that the owner of the property was endeavoring to secure the restoration of her property on removal of the balcony.
Whether or not the plaintiff was financially responsible for the restoration does not appear. The guaranty required was not unreasonable, and does not amount to a conversion of the property.
Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.