Opinion ID: 1282446
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admissibility of Oral Warranty.

Text: At the time of closing, Plogger executed a written warranty as to the basement and air conditioner. [1] At the same time, Pierce contends there was an oral warranty for a period of one year for all other unknown defects in the house. The lower court held that the oral warranty violated the parol evidence rule and was therefore inadmissible. We disagree. The contract of sale was executed July 12, 1975, and the transaction was closed on July 25, 1975, after Plogger agreed that he would orally warrant the house against any defects in materials for a period of one year and gave the written express warranty. Prior to consummating the closing, the parties agreed that the warranty would be given, but that it would not be delivered to Pierce until Pierce had accepted the deed. This was done, and Pierce complied with all of the terms of the contract of purchase. In High Knob, Inc. v. Allen, 205 Va. 503, 506-07, 138 S.E.2d 49, 51 (1964), we said: Under [the collateral contract] doctrine the parol evidence rule does not exclude parol proof of a prior or contemporaneous oral agreement that is independent of, collateral to and not inconsistent with the written contract, and which would not ordinarily be expected to be embodied in the writing. [Citations omitted.] We therefore hold in the case at bar that the lower court erred in ruling that the oral warranty could not be proved.