Case Title: Golden Key, LLC v. Harper

Citation: 170 Vt. 641, 751 A.2d 798

Docket Number: 

State: vermont

Court: Vermont Supreme Court

Date: 2000-04-10T00:00:00Z

Document:
Golden Key, LLC v. Harper (00-085); 170 Vt. 641; 751 A.2d 798

[Filed 10-Apr-2000]

                                 ENTRY ORDER

                       SUPREME COURT DOCKET NO. 00-085

                              APRIL TERM, 2000

Golden Key, LLC	                       }	APPEALED FROM:
                                       }
     v.	                               }	Chittenden Superior Court
                                       }	
Marie Harper	                       }
                                       }	DOCKET NO. S1226-99CnC	

             In the above-entitled cause, the Clerk will enter:

       Tenant Marie Harper appeals from a summary judgment in favor of
  landlord Golden Key, LLC, in  an eviction proceeding.  Tenant argues that
  the court erred in finding that 27 V.S.A. § 1333, which  provides extended
  notice requirements for residential rental units being converted into 
  condominiums, is inapplicable where the existing building is to be
  demolished and replaced by  newly-built condominiums.  Because we agree
  with the court's determination, we affirm.

       Marie Harper, who is disabled, has rented an apartment in South
  Burlington from her landlord,  Golden Key, LLC, on a month-to-month basis
  for three years.  Landlord intends to use the land on  which the apartment
  building is located, as well as adjacent property, to erect condominium
  units.  The plans include demolishing the existing buildings to make way
  for the new construction.  After  receiving final approval from the
  Planning Commission to build the condominiums, landlord served  tenant with
  a notice to vacate, followed by a summons and complaint for a no cause
  eviction.   Landlord provided sixty days notice in accordance with 9 V.S.A.
  § 4467, which applies to the  termination of residential rental agreements. 
  Tenant answered the complaint, raising the defense of  failure to give one
  year written notice to vacate according to the Condominium Ownership Act. 
  See  27 V.S.A. § 1333.  Both parties filed motions for summary judgment on
  the issue of the applicability  of the Condominium Ownership Act, and the
  trial court granted judgment in favor of landlord.

       This Court reviews a motion for summary judgment using the same
  standard as the trial court.  See  O'Donnell v. Bank of Vermont, 166 Vt.
  221, 224,