Opinion ID: 2604705
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The district court properly refused to allow recovery for consequential damages, including damages for emotional distress.

Text: The Mackintoshes argue that the district court erred by refusing to allow them to recover all sums expended in regard to the real property at issue, including improvements, insurance, and late charges on the principal. The Mackintoshes also argue that the district court erred in failing to award damages for emotional distress. We conclude that the district court did not err. At the conclusion of trial, the district court awarded the Mackintoshes the amount of their down payment and their principal payments, minus the fair rental value of the house. The Mackintoshes were also reimbursed for the tax expenses they had incurred. However, the Mackintoshes were not reimbursed for late charge expenses or for the costs of homeowner's insurance because such insurance was a discretionary expense. The Mackintoshes also were not reimbursed for improvements made to the property because (1) the improvements added no value to the property and (2) the improvements were added in 1986, and the Mackintoshes had enjoyed the improvements for eight years. The district court stated that equitable considerations required that the Mackintoshes not be reimbursed for the improvements. We agree. A recision of a contract demands as a general rule the restoration of the status quo of the parties.... To place a party in status quo means to place such party in the same position as he was situated in at the time of the execution of the contract; but absolute and literal restoration of the parties to their former position is not required, and such restoration as is reasonably possible and demanded by the equities of the case is sufficient. Thus, where acts of the other party render a restoration of the status quo impossible, restoration need be made only as nearly as circumstances will permit. 17A C.J.S. Contracts § 438 (1963) (footnotes omitted).