Opinion ID: 1298264
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Is Nystrom Personally Liable to Buckhorn?

Text: Buckhorn argues that Nystrom is personally liable to Buckhorn on the equitable theory of unjust enrichment. In Frontier Rock & Sand v. Heritage Ventures, 607 P.2d 364 (Alaska 1980), we dealt with the theory of unjust enrichment in the context of a landlord-lessor-contractor triangle. We stated: The general rule is clear: In the absence of anything to show that the landlord ordered or authorized the work, ratified the work after it was done, or was in such a close relationship to the tenant that it can be said that the contract was executed for the landlord's benefit, a plaintiff cannot collect from the landlord under a claim of unjust enrichment, even where the landlord knowingly acquiesced in and ultimately benefits from the work performed. A landlord is not a guarantor of contracts entered into between his tenants and third parties. Frontier Rock & Sand, 607 P.2d at 368. In our view, the above language is also applicable to cases in which the three parties involved are lendor, owner, and contractor. The record does not support any of the exceptions referred to in the foregoing language. Thus, we conclude that this is not an appropriate case for application of the doctrine of unjust enrichment.