Baldwin v. Breed

Williams, Ch. J. This was a writ of partition, in which the plaintiffs claimed, that they and the defendants were equal owners of the land described, and the buildings, except a store, thereon, which, they aver, belongs to them in severalty. The defendants plead, that they do not hold in manner and form, &c.; and a verdict is found for the plaintiffs. The motion shows, that it was proved and admitted, that Hancox, under whom the defendants claim, and Wright, under whom the plaintiffs claim, were tenants in common of the land claimed to be aparted; and that Wright erected the store upon the premises, at his sole expense. It is also claimed, and not denied, that the trial below proceeded upon the supposition that the plaintiffs had proved, that the store was placed upon this land, by Wright, with the consent of Hancox; and unless it were so, we think there could hardly have been a serious question in the case. We proceed, therefore, upon the ground, that this fact constitutes part of the case; and the result to which a majority of the court have arrived upon this point, makes it unnecessary to consider the other questions argued before us. There is no claim that the building in question was not erected in the manner in which other buildings of this kind are erected; that is, it was permanently annexed to the freehold. Nor is it pretended, that there was any contract be — 66 — tween the parties relative to the removal or the ownership of this building, unless such contract can be inferred from the fact that it was built by one tenant in common, with the consent of his co-tenant. But the plaintiffs contend, that the building thus erected, belongs to him who placed it there; while the defendants contend, that it follows the ownership of the land. The genera] rule of law, that whatever is fixed to the realty, becomes part of it, and cannot be removed, but partakes of all the incidents and properties of the freehold, is one of great antiquity. Co. Litt. 4. 53. Bull. N. P. 34. And the maxim “Cujus est solum ejus est usque ad cœlum,” is not to be discarded as frivolous, when we consider how important it is in the designation of the ownership of property. And although in modern times, it has been found necessary to introduce some exceptions to this rule, yet we agree with Justice Cowen, that the actual annexation and total disconnexion is the most certain and practical, and should therefore be maintained, except where plain authority or usage has created exceptions; and the general importance of the rule is so great, that more evil will result from frittering it away by exceptions, than can arise from the hardship of particular cases. Walker v. Sherman, 20 Wend. 653, 4. The relaxation of the rule has been principally in cases between lessor and lessee, tenant for life and in tail and the remainder-man. 3 Atk. 14. 16. Bul. N. P. 34. Here, the question does not arise between such parties, but between tenants in common, which case, says the learned Judge before cited, is to be decided on the same principle as if it had arisen between grantor and grantee, or as if partition had been effected by the parties, by mutual deeds of bargain and sale. As between such parties, the doctrine of a fixture’s making part of the real estate and passing with it, is more extensively applied than between others. 20 Wend. 638. Now, if a deed had been given of this land, by one of the joint owners, and not a word said about the buildings; or if partition deeds had been made between them; it would seem as if there could be no doubt as to the effect of such deeds, and that the buildings would pass with the lands, as well as the fences. Isham v. Morgan, 9 Conn. R. 377. The title of a purchaser or creditor ought not to be qualified or impaired, for want of an enquiry as to which of the tenants in common planted the — 67 — trees, set the hedges, or erected the fences or buildings; no authority has been shown and no usage proved in support of such a claim. And when we consider the extreme uncertainty as to title, which would result from the adoption of such a principle, and the embarrassments which would attend the purchaser and the creditors, together with the anxious care which our law has shown in making as public as possible the title to real estate, we cannot consent to incorporate the principle contended for, unless compelled by authority. A little change in the situation of the parties in this case, will serve to show some of the difficulties which will result. Hancox, we will suppose, wants to sell his interest in this land; the purchaser examines the title, and finds, that Hancox and Wright are the owners, and have the record title; he goes no farther, but completes the purchase; after which Wright comes out with a claim, that this shop was his alone, and thus defeats the record title. Or a creditor of Hancox sets off one undivided half of this land and buildings, as his; he must be deprived of the store, in consequence of a private agreement between the tenants in common. Or perhaps a creditor of Wright sets off one half the land and buildings on execution, as the estate of Wright; Wright may say, that as this was his sole property, the creditor could not take one undivided half; or perhaps might claim, that it ought to have been sold at the post as his personal property. When one man voluntarily erects a building upon the land of another, without his consent, he acquires no right in the land, and retains none in the building, but the building becomes the property of him who owns the freehold. Elwes v. Maw, 3 East, 48. Washburn v. Sproat, 16 Mass. R. 449. 5 Day, 467. When it is erected by consent of the owner, different consequences may result; though by strict operation of law, the title vests in the owner of the land. Such, we understand, was the doctrine of this court, in Benedict v. Benedict. Judge Swift says, in strict law, the house belongs to the owner of the soil; and the same principle is advanced, by Ch. J. Parsons, in the case of Wells v. Bannister, who says, that by strict operation of law, the father (on whose land the son had, by his consent, built a house,) might disturb the son in the possession of the house, and remove him from it. 4 Mass. R. 514. It is true, that a court — 68 — of law in Massachusetts, in the case above cited, held, that a house so built was personal property in the builder; but it is to be recollected, that there was then no court of chancery in that state; of course, courts of law must adopt, to some extent, the principles of courts of equity. In Prince v. Case, 10 Conn. R. 379. we alluded to these cases of Benedict v. Benedict and Wells v. Bannister, as somewhat opposed to each other, without an intimation that the former decision was incorrect. In Parker v. Redfield, 10 Conn. R. 490. where the lessor had agreed with the lessee, that he might erect buildings on the land, and, at the end of the term, remove them, this court held, that the lessee had an interest in the buildings entirely distinct from that of the lessor, and that this interest was a subject of taxation. And the court say, the buildings are treated [by the parties] as personal property, and are placed under the controul of the lessee, as any other personal property. As the question there was a mere question of a right to tax, perhaps the result would have been the same, whether the property was treated as real or personal at law. That the court did not intend to overrule or impair the authority of Benedict v. Benedict, is apparent from the fact that this case is not alluded to at all, in the discussion. And if that case is law, we are not able to discern any ground the plaintiffs can have to maintain this action at law. There, the court say, a court of chancery will give ample relief according to the circumstances of the case, and will apportion justice to the parties. A court of chancery can so mould such agreements, as to do entire justice; as where a party claimed a parol contract to be carried into effect on the ground of part performance, but the terms of the agreement could not be distinctly made out; but as possession had been taken and improvements made, the court allowed a reasonable compensation for beneficial and lasting improvements. Packhurst v. Van Courtland, 1 Johns. Ch. R. 274. But in the case before us, we see no ground even for the interference of a court of chancery. No agreement is proved, as in Parker v. Redfield, that the shop should belong to Wright, or that he might remove it; nor is there any thing to show, that either party contemplated that it should be the separate property of Wright, unless it can be inferred from — 69 — the consent of Hancox, asked by Wright. Does the consent of Hancox fairly authorise such an inference? For aught we know, Hancox may have consented, because he had claims for some other buildings erected, or improvements made, by him. The fact of Hancox's consent would no more prove, that he intended the buildings should be the sole property of Wright, than Wright's having consented that Hancox should erect an expensive iron fence, or a hawthorne hedge, would prove, that he expected such hedge or fence should be the sole property of Hancox. For necessary and reasonable improvements made by one tenant in common, the other must be accountable; but when unusual or unnecessary expenses are incurred, it might be otherwise, if done without the consent of the co-tenant. Accordingly, it may become important, in reference to the account to be settled, that when any extraordinary expenses are to be incurred, consent should be obtained. And this, we think, accounts entirely for the negotiations between these parties. Each had a right to occupy any part of this land, or to make improvements upon it; but improvements upon the common property must be for the common benefit; and if desired by both, must be at the joint expense. If a person claims that his case is an exception from this rule, the least that can be required of him, is, to show that the contract under which he claims this, demands such a construction: we cannot infer it from the naked fact that the co-tenant consented to his act. Whatever construction is given to cases where buildings are placed on lands of others, we do not think it can controul a case of this kind, where there is a common interest. In Parker v. Redfield, the court proceed entirely upon the ground that there was no common interest between the lessee and the lessor, and distinguish that case from Osborn v. Humphrey, by saying, that there the buildings were evidently erected with a view to their permanent continuance; and there is no intimation of an ownership in them separate and distinct from the ownership in the land. They were in fact a part of the land, as much as fences or any other improvements. 10 Conn. R. 498. The case of Osborn v. Humphrey, was the ordinary case of a tenant for 999 years, erecting buildings on the leased land; and the court say, the buildings are attached to the land. 7 Conn. R. 340. And in — 70 — Winn v. Ingilby, 5 B. & Ald. 625. (7 E. C. L. 214.) the court of King’s Bench say, that fixtures erected by the owner of the freehold, cannot be taken in execution by the sheriff, though they might have been taken, if erected by the tenant. In the absence, then, of any special agreement between the parties, we think neither a court of law nor a court of chancery could treat this store as the separate property of one of these tenants in common. And the remark of Ch. J. Tilghman, in Lyle v. Ducomb, 5 Binn. 588, is entirely applicable to this case: “The idea of separating the building from the ground on which it stands, is altogether novel, and cannot be carried into effect, without great difficulty.” It has been suggested, that the committee who may go out to make partition, can settle the proportions, and adjust this matter, in such a manner as to do justice between the parties. But the interest and proportions of the respective parties, are settled by the verdict of the jury in this case, and must be conclusive upon the committee. The declaration alleges, that the plaintiffs and defendants are joint owners in equal moieties of this land; and that the plaintiffs are sole owners of this store. This the defendants deny; and the jury have found for the plaintiffs. Now, the committee must take this fact for truth, as found, or they may find directly contrary to the verdict of the jury; which cannot be allowed, any more than auditors can find, that the defendant was never bailiff and receiver. If, therefore, the plaintiffs are not the sole owners of this store, manifest injustice is done, by this verdict. A majority of the court, therefore, are of opinion, that the plaintiffs ought not to retain it; and advise a new trial. In this opinion Waite and Hinman, Js. concurred. Church and Storrs, Js. dissented. New trial to be granted.