Court Opinion

ID: 9353929
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-01-13 05:10:08.73158+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:11:02.396309
License: Public Domain

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
                 revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

                           STATE OF MICHIGAN

                            COURT OF APPEALS

BATTH INVESTMENTS LLC,                                               UNPUBLISHED
                                                                     January 12, 2023
               Plaintiff-Appellant,

v                                                                    No. 360488
                                                                     Wayne Circuit Court
STAN MICIURA and MICHAEL MICIURA,                                    LC No. 19-000354-CH

               Defendants-Appellees.

Before: CAVANAGH, P.J., and O’BRIEN and RICK, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

        Plaintiff appeals as of right following remand by this Court, challenging the circuit court’s
order granting defendants’ claim for reasonable use of property under MCR 3.411(E) in the amount
of $40,800. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

        As set forth in this Court’s previous opinion on this matter, this case arises from a
foreclosure of a mortgage by advertisement on a condominium owned by Angela Barney. Batth
Investments, LLC v Miciura, unpublished per curiam opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued April
29, 2021 (Docket no. 352642), slip op at 1. In April 2018, the condominium was sold at a sheriff’s
sale to defendants; thereafter, Barney had six months to redeem the property, i.e., until October
26, 2018. Id. In June 2018, defendants filed a summary-proceeding in district court to evict
Barney and, on June 13, 2018, a default judgment was entered against Barney. Id. On October 5,
2018, Barney moved to set aside the default judgment and, on that same day, she executed a
quitclaim deed in favor of plaintiff, which was recorded “two days before the date on which Barney
claimed that the redemption period was to expire.” Id. at 2. Ultimately, Barney’s motion to set
aside the default judgment was denied. The district court held that her redemption rights had been
extinguished by the default judgment and that title vested with defendants. Id.

        Thereafter, plaintiff sued to quiet title in circuit court, claiming that it had properly
redeemed the property and was the owner of the condominium. Id. The circuit court granted
plaintiff’s motion for summary disposition, apparently agreeing with plaintiff that Barney’s
redemption rights were not extinguished by the default judgment, and therefore, plaintiff was the
owner of the condominium. Id.

                                                -1-
        Defendants appealed that decision to this Court, which reversed. In brief, this Court
concluded that plaintiff’s complaint to quiet title constituted an impermissible collateral attack
against the district court’s default judgment and order denying Barney’s motion to set aside the
default judgment. Id. at 6. Thus, the circuit court erred in granting plaintiff’s motion for summary
disposition. Id. Moreover, this Court held, Barney’s redemption rights were extinguished by the
default judgment and title had vested in defendants; therefore, even if the action had not been an
impermissible collateral attack, plaintiff would not have been entitled to judgment in its favor. Id.
at 6-7. Accordingly, the matter was remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings. Id. at
7. Plaintiff sought leave to appeal to our Supreme Court, which was denied. Batth Investments,
LLC v Miciura, 967 NW2d 614 (2022).

        Thereafter, on January 10, 2022, defendants filed in the circuit court a claim for reasonable
value of use of the premises under MCR 3.411(E). Defendants averred that plaintiff took
possession of the subject condominium in February 2020, following the circuit court’s order
granting plaintiff’s motion for summary disposition. Further, defendants averred, on February 25,
2020, plaintiff filed a claim in the circuit court for reasonable value of use of the premises under
MCR 3.411(E), which alleged that during the pendency of that action defendants “had possession
of the property, depriving Plaintiff of the income and benefits of such possession for approximately
one year.” Plaintiff also stated in its claim that similar condominiums in that community were
renting for $1,700 a month, and thus, plaintiff sought $1,700 a month for 12 months, totaling
$20,400 from defendants. Accordingly, defendants argued, they were entitled to the same
reasonable rental rate posited by plaintiff of $1,700 a month during the two-year pendency of this
case, for a total of $40,800.

        On February 8, 2022, plaintiff responded to defendants’ claim for reasonable value of use
of the premises, arguing that it never took or assumed possession of the subject property and it did
not take any measure to withhold possession of the property from defendants. In fact, plaintiff
argued, defendants had a default judgment of possession against Barney so defendants had
continuous possession—not plaintiff. Therefore, plaintiff argued, it never withheld possession of
the premises as required for recovery under MCR 3.114(E)(1) and defendants’ claim must fail.
Plaintiff attached to its brief an affidavit of Inderjeet Batth, a member and manager of plaintiff,
which stated that plaintiff never took possession, or withheld possession, of the subject property.

       On February 11, 2022, a hearing on defendants’ claim for reasonable value of use of the
premises was conducted by Zoom.1 According to the stipulated order settling a statement of facts
concerning that hearing, when defendants attempted to take possession of the subject property in
January 2022, it was “discovered that the locks were punched out and replaced.” Plaintiff denied
any knowledge about the locks being replaced and argued that it had made no attempt to change
defendants’ judgment of possession, made no attempt to take possession, and did not enter the
property or pay fees, taxes, or assessments related to the property. In sum, plaintiff argued, it did

1
 An order granting defendants’ claim for reasonable value of use of the premises was entered on
February 14, 2022, referring to “reasons stated on the record,” but no transcript of the proceeding
was available; therefore, a stipulated order settling the statement of facts related to that hearing
was entered on May 4, 2022.

                                                -2-
not withhold possession of the property from defendants so it was not liable for the value of the
use of the property under MCR 3.411(E). The circuit court indicated that plaintiff had the right of
possession after summary disposition was granted in its favor and plaintiff responded that the right
of possession is not the same as having possession. Defendants’ attorney showed the court
“photographs depicting a door with its locks punched out with the doorknob and lock parts on the
floor” and indicated that a locksmith had to be hired to access the property. The circuit court then
stated that it was taking judicial notice that plaintiff had the right of possession and, based on
plaintiff’s prior request for $1,700 a month from defendants, the court was “awarding that amount
of lost value to Defendants for the 24-month period Plaintiff had the right to possess the property.”
Accordingly, the court granted defendants’ claim for reasonable value of use of the premises and
awarded $40,800 to defendants.

       On appeal, plaintiff argues that the circuit erred by awarding defendants $40,800 on their
claim for reasonable value of use of the premises under MCR 3.411(E) because there was no
evidence that plaintiff withheld possession of the subject property and no evidence was submitted
to support that award. We agree.

        The interpretation and application of a court rule are questions of law that we review de
novo on appeal. Haliw v Sterling Hts, 471 Mich 700, 704; 691 NW2d 753 (2005). “Court rules
are interpreted using the same principles that govern statutory interpretation.” Lamkin v Engram,
295 Mich App 701, 709; 815 NW2d 793 (2012). Our purpose in reviewing questions of court rule
construction—as in statutory construction—is to discern and give effect to the drafter’s intent.
Echelon Homes, LLC v Carter Lumber Co, 472 Mich 192, 196; 694 NW2d 544 (2005); In re Mota,
334 Mich App 300, 311; 964 NW2d 881 (2020). Our analysis begins by examining the plain
language of the court rule; if the language is unambiguous, no judicial construction is required or
permitted and the rule must be enforced as written. Echelon Homes, 472 Mich at 196 (citation
omitted). The undefined words of a court rule must be given their plain and ordinary meaning,
which may be ascertained by looking at dictionary definitions. See Koontz v Ameritech Servs, Inc,
466 Mich 304, 312; 645 NW2d 34 (2002); Richards v McNamee, 240 Mich App 444, 451-452;
613 NW2d 366 (2000).

         This case began with plaintiff claiming an interest in the subject property and filing a quiet
title action against defendants under MCL 600.2932(1) to determine their competing interests in
that property. See Trademark Props of Mich, LLC v Federal Nat’l Mtg Ass’n, 308 Mich App 132,
137; 863 NW2d 344 (2014). Specifically, MCL 600.2932(1) states:
       Any person, whether he is in possession of the land in question or not, who claims
       any right in, title to, equitable title to, interest in, or right to possession of land, may
       bring an action in the circuit courts against any other person who claims or might
       claim any interest inconsistent with the interest claimed by the plaintiff, whether
       the defendant is in possession of the land or not.

MCR 3.411 “applies to actions to determine interests in land under MCL 600.2932.”
MCR 3.411(A). It is undisputed by the parties that MCR 3.411 applies to this action to quiet title
that was brought in the circuit court. And the circuit court granted plaintiff’s motion for summary
disposition, holding that plaintiff established the superiority of its claim to defendants’ claim. The

                                                   -3-
circuit court’s decision was premised on a dispositive issue of law, and there are few record facts
about the subject property. This Court ultimately reversed that circuit court decision.

       After defendants prevailed on appeal, they filed a claim under MCR 3.411(E), which
provides:
        (E) Claim for Reasonable Value of Use of Premises.

        (1) Within 28 days after the finding of title, the party found to have title to the
        premises may file a claim against the party who withheld possession of the premises
        for the reasonable value of the use of the premises during the period the premises
        were withheld, beginning 6 years before the action was commenced.

        (2) The court shall hear evidence and make findings, determining the value of the
        use of the premises.

        (a) The findings must be based on the value of the use of the premises in their
        condition at the time the withholding party, or those through whom that party
        claims, first went into possession. The use of the buildings or improvements put
        on the land by the party who withheld possession may not be considered.

        (b) The findings must be based on the general value of the use of the premises, not
        on a peculiar value the use of the premises had to the party who withheld possession
        or might have had to the party who had title.

Defendants argued that plaintiff took possession of the subject property in February 2020 and even
filed a claim against defendants under MCR 3.411(E), alleging that defendants had wrongfully
denied plaintiff of possession of the subject property during the year the case was pending. In
response to defendants’ argument, plaintiff denied that it ever took possession of the subject
property, arguing that defendants had a judgment of possession and plaintiff took no action
contrary to that judgment in defendants’ favor. Plaintiff submitted an affidavit in support of its
response to defendants’ claim. The circuit court granted defendants’ claim, without an evidentiary
hearing, finding that plaintiff had the right of possession and, because plaintiff had previously
requested $1,700 a month, that was the value that defendants were entitled to receive. On appeal,
plaintiff first argues that the trial court erred because even if plaintiff had “the right of possession,”
plaintiff never “withheld possession” as required for recovery of damages under MCR 3.411(E)(1).
We agree with plaintiff.

        The court rule does not define the phrase “withheld possession,” but we may consider the
dictionary definitions to ascertain the plain and ordinary meaning of the words, considering the
context in which they are used. See Yudashkin v Linzmeyer, 247 Mich App 642, 650; 637 NW2d
257 (2001) (citation omitted); Richards, 240 Mich App at 451-452. Random House Webster’s
College Dictionary (2d ed) defines “withhold” as including “to hold back; restrain or check . . . to
refrain from giving or granting” and defines “possession” as including “actual holding or
occupancy, either with or without rights of ownership.” And if the term “possession” is considered
a legal term of art, its legal meaning is similar to its common definition. Black’s Law Dictionary
(7th ed) defines “possession” as including: “1. The fact of having or holding property in one’s
power; the exercise of dominion over property. 2. The right under which one may exercise control

                                                   -4-
over something to the exclusion of all others . . . .” Therefore, for defendants to succeed on their
claim, they had to prove that plaintiff occupied or exercised control over the subject property—a
condominium—and refrained or refused to relinquish that control or occupancy to defendants.
There is no evidence that plaintiff occupied or exercised control over the property by, for example,
occupying it, renting it, or improving it. To the contrary, defendants actually held a judgment for
possession with respect to that property which was obtained in the summary proceedings against
Barney on June 13, 2018. There is no evidence of record that the judgment for possession was set
aside or violated. And a judgment for possession “is a judgment that entitles the [holder] to
possession of the premises . . . .” JAM Corp v AARO Disposal, Inc, 461 Mich 161, 170; 600 NW2d
617 (1999); see also MCL 600.5744. As the holder of the judgment for possession, defendants
had the legal right to possession of the subject property—not plaintiff.

        Further, plaintiff presented an affidavit to the circuit court executed by a member and
manager of plaintiff which stated that plaintiff never took possession, never attempted to take
possession, and never withheld possession of the subject property. While defendants’ attorney
showed the circuit court during the Zoom hearing what was allegedly photographs of a door with
its locks punched out, this was neither admissible nor persuasive evidence. See Matter of
Robinson, 180 Mich App 454, 460; 447 NW2d 765 (1989) (“A proper foundation for the admission
of photographs is made if someone who is familiar from personal observation of the scene or
person photographed testifies that the photograph is an accurate representation of the scene or
person.”). Therefore, we disagree with the circuit court that defendants proved that plaintiff
“withheld possession” of the subject property within the contemplation of MCR 3.411(E)(1).

        Plaintiff next argues that the “reasonable value of the use of the premises” was not properly
determined. We agree with plaintiff. First, we reject defendants’ argument on appeal that it was
incumbent on plaintiff to request an evidentiary hearing to determine whether plaintiff withheld
possession of the property and, if so, the amount of defendants’ monetary damages. Defendants
brought a claim seeking monetary damages under MCR 3.411(E); thus, as the allegedly aggrieved
party, defendants were required to prove that claim by establishing both that defendants “withheld
possession” and the “reasonable value of the use of the premises during the period the premises
were withheld[.]” See MCR 3.411(E)(1).
        Second, we reject defendants’ argument—and disagree with the circuit court’s holding—
that “the reasonable value of the use of the premises” was conclusively determined by the fact that
plaintiff had previously filed a claim against defendants under MCR 3.411(E), seeking $1,700 a
month in rent for the subject property. Contrary to defendants’ argument on appeal, the doctrine
of judicial estoppel does not apply under these circumstances. In brief, judicial estoppel prevents
a party who successfully asserted a particular position in a prior proceeding from later asserting a
wholly inconsistent position. See Duncan v Michigan, 300 Mich App 176, 190; 832 NW2d 761
(2013) (citation omitted). In other words, the court in the prior proceeding must have accepted the
particular position as true. Id. (citation omitted). That did not happen in this case. There is no
record evidence that plaintiff’s “claim” under MCR 3.411(E) was ever adjudicated by the circuit
court and determined to be “the reasonable value of the use of the premises.” And there is no
record evidence that defendants were ever ordered to pay plaintiff, or that defendants ever paid
plaintiff, any amount of money with regard to the subject property. But, more importantly, MCR
3.411(E) states:

                                                -5-
       (2) The court shall hear evidence and make findings, determining the value of the
       use of the premises.

       (a) The findings must be based on the value of the use of the premises in their
       condition at the time the withholding party, or those through whom that party
       claims, first went into possession. The use of the buildings or improvements put
       on the land by the party who withheld possession may not be considered.

       (b) The findings must be based on the general value of the use of the premises, not
       on a peculiar value the use of the premises had to the party who withheld possession
       or might have had to the party who had title.

The use of the word “shall” generally denotes a mandatory action; thus, because the rule states that
the “court shall hear evidence,” an evidentiary hearing is mandatory under MCR 3.411(E)(2). See
Manual v Gill, 481 Mich 637, 647; 753 NW2d 48 (2008). This rule further requires that specific
findings be made with regard to the determination of the “value of the use of the premises.” MCR
3.411(E)(2). In that regard, the court must consider the condition of the premises at the time the
“withholding party . . . first went into possession,” MCR 3.411(E)(2)(a), which supports our
conclusion stated above that defendants had to prove that plaintiff actually occupied or exercised
control over the subject property, i.e., “went into possession.” The court must also consider only
the general value, not the peculiar value, of the premises. MCR 3.411(E)(2)(b).

        In this case, no evidentiary hearing was conducted and the circuit court made no specific
findings about the subject property, including the condition of the premises at any time during this
proceeding. On appeal defendants concede that an evidentiary hearing was not conducted but
argue that one was not required. As discussed above, and according to the plain language of MCR
3.411(E)(2), we cannot agree. Defendants presented absolutely no evidence to establish either that
plaintiff “withheld possession” and, if so, “the reasonable value of the use of the premises.”
Therefore, this matter must be remanded. The circuit court’s award of $1,700 a month to
defendants for the 24-month period that plaintiff allegedly had the “right of possession” of the
subject property, for a total of $40,800, is reversed and this matter is remanded to the circuit court
for further proceedings.

        Reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not
retain jurisdiction.

                                                              /s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
                                                              /s/ Colleen A. O’Brien
                                                              /s/ Michelle M. Rick

                                                 -6-