Opinion ID: 1173324
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hughes v. Wells

Text: Tom Hughes is a Yakima resident whose property, at the time of the foreclosure proceedings, was occupied by a tenant. His irrigation assessment became delinquent and the City mailed to him the same notices mailed to Brower. The mailed notices were returned to the City as addressee unknown or unclaimed. A city employee called Hughes' tenant, whose identity was determined from utility bills. From the tenant, the City obtained another address for Hughes which did not coincide with his actual residence. Foreclosure and sale ensued and Wells also purchased the Hughes property. The City published notice of the foreclosure action in the Yakima Herald Republic for 4 weeks as required by RCW 35.50.090. Hughes did not respond to the summons and did not redeem. He claims he received no notice of delinquency, foreclosure or sale and did not read the published summons. Hughes was not notified of any rights under a foreclosure sale  to redeem, to claim a homestead, or to demand an upset price. In 1981, after expiration of the 2-year statutory redemption period, the City issued deeds to the two properties to Wells. In August 1981, Hughes and Brower filed separate lawsuits against the City of Yakima and Wells. Both complaints alleged that the City had given inadequate notice of the foreclosure proceedings, and asked the court to void the deeds to Wells and quiet title in the plaintiffs. Brower amended her complaint to include a claim for damages and attorney fees against the City under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Wells cross claimed against the City for damages and attorney fees, should his title to the property be declared void. Yakima Federal Savings and Loan Association, the grantee of a deed of trust on the Hughes property, intervened in the Hughes action to protect its lien rights under the deed of trust. On summary judgment motions filed by all parties, the trial court 1. Quieted title to the properties in Brower and Hughes; 2. Dismissed Brower's claim of damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Wells and the City; 3. Dismissed Wells' claim of damages against the City subject to the City's repayment of the amount bid at the foreclosure sale plus interest; 4. Reinstated the interest of Yakima Federal Savings and Loan Association in the Hughes property; and 5. Ordered all parties to pay their own costs and attorney fees. All parties appealed. We accepted review to determine the constitutionality of the notice provisions of former RCW 35.50.090, and whether the trial court erred in dismissing plaintiffs' civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.