Court Opinion

ID: 4159146
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-10 17:12:09.343588+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:58.589471
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Roberts v. McCoy, 2017-Ohio-1329.]

                                    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                           TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

                                              BUTLER COUNTY

AMANDA ROBERTS,                                     :

        Plaintiff-Appellant,                        :     CASE NO. CA2016-04-071

                                                    :          OPINION
    - vs -                                                      4/10/2017
                                                    :

DENISE MCCOY,                                       :

        Defendant-Appellee.                         :

          CIVIL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                            Case No. CV2014-10-2651

Dennis Lee Adams, 10 Journal Square, Suite 400, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, for plaintiff-
appellant

Stephen C. Lane, 7419 Kingsgate Way, Suite A, West Chester, Ohio 45069, for defendant-
appellee

        HENDRICKSON, P.J.

        {¶ 1} Plaintiff-appellant, Amanda Roberts, appeals a decision of the Butler County

Court of Common Pleas granting summary judgment in favor of defendant-appellee, Denise

McCoy. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

        {¶ 2} On August 29, 2013, McCoy purchased the property in question at 2622 Hilda

Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio. After completing the purchase, McCoy began performing repairs to
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prepare the property for resale. McCoy never lived at the Hamilton residence. McCoy

completed the repairs between November 2013 and March 2014. The relevant repairs

included installing a drop ceiling in the basement, replacing the lower half of portions of the

basement drywall, and replacing a toilet and faucet in the upstairs bathroom. McCoy hired a

contractor with 15 years of experience, Troy Janutolo, to perform most of the repair work. In

the basement, Janutolo replaced the drywall and installed a portion of the drop ceiling.

Specifically, Janutolo installed the track for the acoustical ceiling tiles by attaching the track to

the floor joists. McCoy then placed the acoustical ceiling tile in the tracks installed by

Janutolo. During these repairs, neither McCoy nor Janutolo observed any condition they

believed to be mold or mildew on the floor joists or on the backside of the replaced drywall.

The front of the replaced drywall did indicate residual damage from moisture.

       {¶ 3} In early May 2014, Roberts found the Hamilton property listed for sale online.

She visited the property with her realtor. During the visit, Roberts did not personally walk

through the entire home. Rather, she "stood in the living room and the kitchen" for "maybe

five minutes" because she "knew [she] wanted the house." On May 13, 2014, Roberts

contracted to purchase the property. The purchase agreement included a contingency

provision making the sale subject to a whole house inspection conducted by Roberts at her

expense. McCoy indicated the repairs done to the home and underlying justifications for

such repairs by completing an Ohio Residential Property Disclosure Form ("Disclosure

Form"). On the Disclosure Form, McCoy disclosed that "[i]t appears the previous owner

unhooked [the] laundry room sink and let the basement flood, all water damaged materials

were removed[,]" and "I don't believe there is any mold in the home." McCoy did not make

any representations to Roberts other than the information contained in the Disclosure Form.

Additionally, the Disclosure Form itself advised Roberts in bold text, "every home contains

mold. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. If concerned about this issue,

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purchaser is encouraged to have a mold inspection done by a qualified inspector."

       {¶ 4} Roberts second visit occurred during the performance of a home and termite

inspection by a licensed inspector. Again, she limited her visit to the confines of the kitchen.

Shortly after the inspection, Roberts received the inspection report by e-mail and forwarded it

to her realtor. Roberts did not review the inspection report before closing and was unaware

of the parameters of the inspection. On July 10, 2014, Roberts closed on the property and

she moved into the home two days later. When Roberts attempted to put up a shower rod in

the upstairs bathroom on August 3, 2014, a portion of the wall broke free and fell to the

ground. Roberts took a closer look at the wall and noticed what appeared to be mold in the

upstairs bathroom. This revelation caused Roberts to check the basement where she moved

a ceiling tile and discovered what appeared to be mold on the floor joists.

       {¶ 5} The next day, Roberts hired a certified mold inspector to conduct further

inspection on what she believed to be mold. The inspection revealed black mold on the

basement rafters, living room area, and basement exterior walls. A few weeks later, Clint

Grubb, Roberts' neighbor, advised her that McCoy informed him that the basement was

flooded at the time of McCoy's purchase and that McCoy replaced the basement drywall,

which displayed visible exterior mold.

       {¶ 6} On October 8, 2014, Roberts commenced this action against McCoy alleging

negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, breach of contract, unjust enrichment,

and fraud. Roberts alleged McCoy was aware of the mold condition when she completed the

Disclosure Form, and that McCoy intentionally misrepresented the condition of the residence

to induce its sale. Roberts further alleged the mold condition was undiscoverable during

inspections prior to the sale because McCoy concealed it behind the recently installed drywall

and drop ceiling.

       {¶ 7} On November 20, 2015, McCoy moved for summary judgment on Roberts'
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claims. After briefing on the matter, the trial court granted McCoy's motion for summary

judgment on all claims. Roberts timely appealed the decision of the trial court.

       {¶ 8} Assignment of Error No. 1:

       {¶ 9} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING APPELLEE'S MOTION FOR

SUMMARY JUDGMENT.

       {¶ 10} In her sole assignment of error, Roberts presents two issues for review. First,

Roberts asserts a material issue of fact existed regarding whether the mold in the ceiling was

an observable defect that would have been discovered by a prudent person upon reasonable

inspection. Second, Roberts contends a material issue of fact existed regarding whether

McCoy had actual knowledge of the mold at the time McCoy completed the Disclosure Form.

       {¶ 11} We review a trial court's ruling on a motion for summary judgment de novo.

Grizinski v. Am. Express Fin. Advisors, Inc., 187 Ohio App.3d 393, 2010-Ohio-1945, ¶ 14

(12th Dist.). "De novo review means that this court uses the same standard that the trial

court should have used, and we examine the evidence to determine whether as a matter of

law no genuine issues exist for trial." Morris v. Dobbins Nursing Home, 12th Dist. Clermont

No. CA2010-12-102, 2011-Ohio-3014, ¶ 14. Summary judgment is proper if there are no

genuine issues of material fact to be litigated, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a

matter of law, and reasonable minds can come to only one conclusion, and that conclusion is

adverse to the nonmoving party. Civ.R. 56(C); Williams v. McFarland Properties, LLC, 177

Ohio App.3d 490, 2008-Ohio-3594, ¶ 7 (12th Dist.). The moving party bears the initial

burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Dresher v. Burt, 75

Ohio St.3d 280, 293, 1996-Ohio-107. If the moving party meets its burden, the nonmoving

party has a reciprocal burden to set forth specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial. Id.

       {¶ 12} Roberts argues the trial court erred in granting summary judgment pursuant to

the doctrine of caveat emptor with respect to mold within the basement drop ceiling because
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the condition was not observable or discoverable. "[T]he doctrine of caveat emptor precludes

recovery in an action by the purchaser for a structural defect in real estate where (1) the

condition complained of is open to observation or discoverable upon reasonable inspection,

(2) the purchaser had the full and unimpeded opportunity to examine the premises, and (3)

there is no evidence of fraud on the part of the vendor." Layman v. Binns, 35 Ohio St.3d

176, 178-79 (1988). "A defect is observable or discoverable if an ordinarily prudent person

would discover it upon reasonable inspection." Moravek v. Hornsby, 12th Dist. Clermont No.

CA96-12-113, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 3032, *6 (July 14, 1997). A defect meeting this

description is a patent defect, and all other defects are latent defects. Clark v. Allen, 154

Ohio App.3d 200, 2003-Ohio-4617, ¶ 15 (12th Dist.).

       {¶ 13} The trial court properly found the doctrine of caveat applied with respect to the

mold condition within the basement drop ceiling. The evidence of the condition in the drop

ceiling clearly demonstrates it was observable or discoverable. However, there is no

evidence that the new basement drywall or the upstairs bathroom visibly displayed any signs

indicating moisture or mold. See, e.g., Binns at 177-78 (finding defect observable where

bowed drywall was detectible with little effort); Black v. Consentino, 117 Ohio App.3d 40, 45

(9th Dist.1996) (findings conditions observable where drywall showed clear signs of

deterioration). Therefore, we limit our analysis of the doctrine of caveat emptor to the

basement ceiling mold condition. Unlike the drywall, Roberts could have easily discovered

the condition in the ceiling by simply pushing up a single ceiling tile and examining the floor

joists. See Binns at 177 ("A duty falls upon the purchaser to make inquiry and examination").

Roberts demonstrated a present ability to conduct such inquiry when she lifted the ceiling tile

to discover the condition after moving into the residence. At her deposition, Roberts testified

that if one had moved a ceiling tile, "they would have seen the mold."

       {¶ 14} Further supporting this finding, McCoy described having to move the ceiling
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tiles back into place because other potential purchasers had moved the tiles, presumably to

inspect the floor joists. Additionally, Roberts does not dispute she had a full and unimpeded

opportunity to inspect the premises. Rather, as analyzed below, Roberts chose not to

conduct a mold inspection despite notice of several justifications supporting a mold

inspection before purchasing the property. Therefore, the trial court properly found McCoy

met the first two elements of the doctrine of caveat emptor with respect to the mold condition

in the basement ceiling. The final element of the doctrine requires a showing that there is no

evidence of fraud on the part of the seller, which we will analyze below as it is interrelated to

the analysis of Roberts' individual claims pertaining to mold found elsewhere on the property.

       {¶ 15} The     elements     of   fraud,    fraudulent   concealment,     and    negligent

misrepresentation are very similar. See Johnson v. Church of the Open Door, 179 Ohio

App.3d 532, 2008-Ohio-6054, ¶ 15 (9th Dist.). To establish a claim for civil fraud, one must

demonstrate (1) a representation or, where there is a duty to disclose, concealment of a fact,

(2) which is material, (3) made falsely, with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard

for the truth, (4) with the intent to mislead, (5) justifiable reliance on the representation or

concealment, and (6) injury proximately caused by such reliance. Mertens v. Dever, 12th

Dist. Clermont No. CA2005-07-060, 2006-Ohio-1001, ¶ 14; see also Reardon v. Hale, 12th

Dist. Warren No. CA2006-09-105, 2007-Ohio-4351, ¶ 17 (analyzing the same elements for

fraudulent concealment), citing Fifth Third Bank v. Cope, 162 Ohio App.3d 838, 2005-Ohio-

4626, ¶ 25 (12th Dist.). The elements of negligent misrepresentation are as follows:

              One who, in the course of his business, profession or
              employment, or in any other transaction in which he has a
              pecuniary interest, supplies false information for the guidance of
              others in their business transactions, is subject to liability for
              pecuniary loss caused to them by their justifiable reliance upon
              the information, if he fails to exercise reasonable care or
              competence in obtaining or communicating the information.

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Delman v. City of Cleveland Heights, 41 Ohio St.3d 1, 4 (1989); Levy v. Seiber, 12th Dist.

Butler Nos. CA2015-02-019, CA2015-02-021, and CA2015-02-030, 2016-Ohio-68, ¶ 36.

       {¶ 16} "An action for fraud may be grounded upon failure to fully disclose facts of a

material nature where there exists a duty to speak." Binns, 35 Ohio St.3d at 178. Pursuant

to R.C. 5302.30(D), sellers of residential real estate must complete a disclosure form to

inform potential buyers of "material matters relating to the physical condition of the property

to be transferred * * * [and] the condition of the structure of the property, including the roof,

foundation, walls, and floors * * *." The statute further requires that any disclosure be made

in good faith or "honesty in fact in a transaction." R.C. 5302.30(A)(1).

       {¶ 17} However, R.C. 5302.30(D) requires sellers to disclose on the form only those

defects that are within their actual knowledge. Clark, 2003-Ohio-4617 at ¶ 18. R.C.

5302.30(F)(1) relieves sellers of liability for damages "allegedly aris[ing] from any error in,

inaccuracy of, or omission of any item of information required to be disclosed in the property

disclosure form if the error, inaccuracy, or omission was not within the transferor's actual

knowledge." Moreover, sellers have no duty to inspect or acquire knowledge regarding

defects of their property. Clark at ¶ 19. Rather, the duty to conduct a full inspection falls on

the purchasers and the disclosure form does not function as a substitute for such careful

inspection. Id.

       {¶ 18} The Disclosure Form contains the only disclosures McCoy made to Roberts;

therefore, the actual knowledge standard discussed above applies to Roberts' contract

claims. Reardon, 2007-Ohio-4351 at ¶ 15. Nonetheless, R.C. 5302.30 does not displace a

seller's common-law duties to buyers, such as the "duty to disclose material facts which are

latent" when the seller possesses actual knowledge of the defect at the time of the

transaction. Binns at 178; see also Clark at ¶ 15. With respect to the knowledge element of

Roberts' tort claims, she must only prove McCoy acted with "utter disregard and recklessness
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as to whether [a fact] is true or false," and such knowledge may be inferred. Reardon at ¶

18.

       {¶ 19} Therefore, the questions presented are whether McCoy had the requisite

knowledge of mold at the residence to support Roberts' contract and tort claims, and if so,

whether such claims entitle Roberts to a remedy at law or in equity.

       {¶ 20} First, we address whether there is evidence supporting a finding of a genuine

issue of material fact with regard to fraud by McCoy, which would prevent the application of

the doctrine of caveat emptor to the mold condition in the basement ceiling, and prove an

essential element of Roberts' claims with respect to the remainder of the property. The basis

of Roberts' fraud claim relies on the information contained in the Disclosure Form.

Specifically, McCoy disclosed that the basement drain was cleaned after it backed up, which

had caused "[a] small amount of water * * * in [the] laundry r[oo]m." McCoy disclosed that

she has not seen any "water leaks in [the] basement since [she] has owned" the property.

She checked "yes" to the question whether she "kn[e]w of any water or moisture related

damage to floors, walls or ceilings as a result of flooding; moisture seepage; moisture

condensation; ice damming; sewer overflow/backup; or leaking pipes, plumbing fixtures or

appliances." McCoy explained this answer by disclosing that "[i]t appears the previous owner

unhooked [the] laundry room sink and let the basement flood, all water damaged materials

were removed." Next, she checked "no" to the question: "[h]ave you ever had the property

inspected for mold by a qualified inspector?" McCoy disclosed, "I don't believe there is any

mold in the home."

       {¶ 21} Based on this explanation, McCoy argues she did not make a material factual

representation, but merely expressed her opinion. If we assume arguendo, as the trial court

did, McCoy's response on the Disclosure Form was a material factual representation, then,

when considering the Disclosure Form in its entirety – Roberts still has failed to demonstrate
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(1) the statements were made falsely, with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless

disregard for the truth, (2) with the intent to mislead, and (3) that Roberts justifiably relied

upon the representations.

       {¶ 22} McCoy stated in her affidavit that she neither observed mold anywhere in the

residence nor was she advised of the presence of mold at the time of the sale. McCoy did

observe water stains on the front side of the basement drywall prior to the sale; therefore,

she replaced the drywall. However, the backside of the drywall did not display any signs of

water or moisture. Additionally, she did not observe mold when installing the acoustic ceiling

tiles on the basement drop ceiling. Likewise, the repairman, Janutolo, did not observe any

indication of moisture, mold, or mildew in the basement drywall. Janutolo further indicated

that he did not observe any mold while installing the track for the drop ceiling. However,

Grubb claimed that McCoy had informed him that the basement was flooded and the drywall

was replaced due to the presence of mold.

       {¶ 23} Based on Grubb's affidavit and Roberts' deposition, Roberts argues there is a

genuine issue of material fact regarding the falsity of the statements contained within the

Disclosure Form. However, this evidence does not rebut the statements in the Disclosure

Form or the sworn statements made by McCoy and Janutolo. Rather, Grubb's statements

further demonstrate that McCoy was aware of the presence of moisture in the basement and

on the exterior of the drywall, and thus, McCoy hired Janutolo to replace the drywall. Grubb's

affidavit fails to rebut that neither McCoy nor Janutolo were aware of the presence of mold

after completing the repairs on the basement ceiling, behind the drywall, or anywhere else on

the property at the time of sale. Therefore, Roberts fails to establish a genuine issue of

material fact regarding the knowledge element of her tort claims.

       {¶ 24} Moreover, there is no indication from the evidence that the disclosures made

on the Disclosure Form were made falsely or with the intent to mislead Roberts. The
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information within the Disclosure Form and the statements from McCoy and Janutolo's

affidavits is consistent. McCoy apprised Roberts of the presence of flooding and moisture in

the basement, which McCoy believed to be repaired with the installation of the drop ceiling

and the new drywall. Roberts asserts McCoy installed the drop ceiling and drywall to cover

the mold condition; however, there is no evidence in the record to support this assertion.

       {¶ 25} Furthermore, Roberts fails to present evidence that she justifiably relied upon

McCoy's representations in purchasing the home. The purchase agreement was contingent

upon a home inspection, which was performed prior to closing. "A buyer cannot be said to

have justifiably relied upon representations made by the seller where the purchase

agreement is clearly contingent upon the inspection rather than any alleged representations."

Liotta v. Eckley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 75127, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 68, *10 (Jan. 13,

2000); see also Kimball v. Duy, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2002-L-046, 2002-Ohio-7279, ¶ 24.

Moreover, Roberts was apprised of the presence of moisture as well as the flood history in

the basement prior to closing and chose not to hire a certified mold inspector until after

completing the purchase of the property. Roberts made this choice despite having ample

opportunity for a mold inspection before closing pursuant to the contingency agreement.

       {¶ 26} Therefore, Roberts has failed to establish a genuine issue of material fact

remains regarding the above-analyzed elements for her fraud, negligent misrepresentation,

and fraudulent concealment claims. In turn, Roberts failed to present evidence rebutting the

fraud element of the doctrine of caveat emptor.

       {¶ 27} Next, we turn to Roberts' contract claims. To establish a claim for breach of

contract, a plaintiff must prove (1) the existence of a contract, (2) plaintiff fulfilled his or her

contractual obligations, (3) defendant failed to fulfill his or her contractual obligations, and (4)

due to this failure plaintiff incurred damages. Nguyen v. Chen, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2013-

10-191, 2014-Ohio-5188, ¶ 43.          Roberts bases her breach of contract claim on the
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representations made in the Disclosure Form. As discussed above, R.C. 5302.30(D)

required McCoy to disclose only those defects that were within her actual knowledge. Clark,

2003-Ohio-4617 at ¶ 18; see also Kearns v. Huckaby, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2005-12-507,

2006-Ohio-5196, ¶ 28 (stating to prevail on a claim based on a disclosure form, one must

demonstrate the seller had actual knowledge of the alleged errors on the form). With respect

to Roberts' tort claims, we found above that a genuine issue of material fact did not exist as

to whether McCoy made false representations on the Disclosure Form, with knowledge of the

representations falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth. Therefore, because the actual

knowledge requirement is a higher burden to prove than reckless disregard for the truth, our

finding in regards to Roberts' tort claims extends to her breach of contract claim.

       {¶ 28} Finally, Roberts asserts a claim for unjust enrichment and argues the alleged

fraud, misrepresentations, and concealment by McCoy, does not entitle McCoy to the full

purchase price for the property because if the information within the Disclosure Form was

accurate, then the property would have sold for a lower price. A party asserting a claim for

unjust enrichment must demonstrate that (1) he or she conferred a benefit upon a defendant,

(2) the defendant had knowledge of the benefit, and (3) the defendant retained the benefit

under circumstances where it would be unjust to do so without payment. Everhart v.

Everhart, 12th Dist. Fayette Nos. CA2013-07-019 and CA2013-09-026, 2014-Ohio-2476, ¶

46; see also Paugh & Farmer, Inc. v. Menorah Home for Jewish Aged, 15 Ohio St.3d 44, 46

(1984) (stating unjust enrichment is an equitable legal vehicle for obtaining a just result and

to provide a remedy where none is otherwise available).

       {¶ 29} Consistent with our findings above, we find McCoy has not been unjustly

enriched by retaining the full purchase price. We note the purpose of an unjust enrichment

action is not to compensate Roberts for any loss or damages that she may have suffered, but

rather to compensate Roberts for the benefit she unjustly conferred on McCoy. Accord
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Hughes v. Oberholtzer, 162 Ohio St. 330, 335 (1954). Contrary to Roberts' claim otherwise,

Roberts failed to demonstrate that McCoy had knowledge of any inaccuracies within the

Disclosure Form. Therefore, Roberts has failed to demonstrate McCoy had knowledge of

any benefit conferred upon her that would require compensation for Roberts in equity.

       {¶ 30} Accordingly, Roberts' sole assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 31} Having construed the evidence in a light most favorable to Roberts on each

issue presented for review, we find Roberts has failed to demonstrate genuine issues of

material fact exist. The trial court properly determined that McCoy is entitled to judgment as

a matter of law.

       {¶ 32} Judgment affirmed.

       RINGLAND and PIPER, JJ., concur.

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