Opinion ID: 2517889
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: ¶ 1 This case presents questions regarding the purpose and applicability of Utah's unlawful detainer statute. Appellants D.A. Osguthorpe and the D.A. Osguthorpe Family Partnership (collectively the Osguthorpes) appeal the district court's dismissal of their unlawful detainer claims against American Skiing Company (American Skiing) and Wolf Mountain Resorts (Wolf Mountain). Wolf Mountain cross-appeals the district court's dismissal of its cross-claims against American Skiing for indemnification, breach of contract, and breach of implied covenant of good faith. The district court dismissed the unlawful detainer claims and cross-claims. In so doing, it found that there was a dispute as to whether American Skiing and Wolf Mountain were tenants in possession of the Osguthorpes' land in Summit County, Utah (the Property) and concluded that this uncertainty precluded an unlawful detainer action. We affirm the district court's dismissal of the unlawful detainer action and cross-claims because we hold as a matter of law that American Skiing and Wolf Mountain were not tenants in possession of the Property as required by Utah's unlawful detainer statute.