FOR PUBLICATION
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS
: ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES:
PAUL B. PORACKY ROBERT E. STOCHEL
ERIC J. ANDERSON Hoffman & Stochel
Spangler Jennings & Dougherty, P.C. Crown Point, Indiana
Merrillville, Indiana
ANDREW VERRALL and SUSAN VERRALL, )
)
Appellants-Defendants, )
)
vs. ) No. 45A03-0309-CV-359
)
ERIC MACHURA and TINA GERNENZ, )
)
Appellees-Plaintiffs. )
OPINION - FOR PUBLICATION
FRIEDLANDER, Judge
Andrew and Susan Verrall appeal the trial courts denial of their motion for
summary judgment as to Eric Machuras fraud claims arising from the sale of
a home. Several issues are raised on review that we consolidate as:
Did the trial court err in denying the Verrallss Motion for Summary
Judgment?
We affirm in part and reverse in part.
In 2001, the Verralls (Sellers) determined to sell their home located at 925
S. East Street in Crown Point, Indiana (the Residence). Sellers had lived
in the Residence since 1997 after purchasing it from Paul and Constance Myres.
Before selling the Residence, the Myreses provided Sellers with a completed and
signed Residential Real Estate Sales Disclosure form (Disclosure Form). In the Disclosure
Form, the Myreses disclosed seepage in one corner of the basement during heavy
rain. When Sellers took possession, however, they discovered substantial water leakage throughout
the basement and thereafter initiated litigation against the Myreses for misrepresentation. The
litigation ultimately concluded through mediation.
During Sellers occupation of the Residence, the amount and severity of water seepage
subsided and Sellers believed that a neighbors rerouting of a sump pump discharge
line away from the property had effected the change. Sellers determined no
repairs were necessary and later spent a significant sum to remodel the basement.
The Residence also contained a basement gas fireplace. In the fall
or winter of 2000, Sellers had the fireplace tested by Pilot-Lite, Inc. (Pilot-Lite),
a professional heating contractor. Pilot-Lite provided Sellers a written report indicating it
had lit the pilot light and the fireplace was operating normally.
When Sellers decided to sell the Residence, they contacted Jay Maden, a local
real estate agent, who entered into a listing contract with them. Machura
(Buyer), through his real estate agent, Brenda Versnell, toured the Residence.
See footnote Buyer
walked through and inspected the Residence on at least two occasions and ultimately
submitted an offer. Buyer was provided a copy of the Disclosure Form
filled out and signed by the Sellers. In response to the disclosure
question, [a]re there moisture and/or water problems in the basement or crawl space
area,
Appellants Appendix at 22, Sellers indicated an affirmative response and provided an
additional narrative answer: During heavy rainfall, possible light seepage in SE/SW corner
of basement. Id.
See footnote The Disclosure Form also noted that the fireplace
was Not Defective.
Id. Buyer originally agreed to purchase the Residence
contingent upon his obtaining a satisfactory home inspection report, but later expressly waived
this right in writing and accepted the property as is. Before closing
on the home, Buyer inquired further about the water seepage issue and Sellers
provided waterproofing quotes which were made available to prospective buyers. Sellers did
not provide information about the previous water damage that occurred when they purchased
the Residence from the Myreses or the ensuing lawsuit.
Within forty-five days of Buyer taking possession of the Residence, the basement had
flooded on two occasions. In the course of repairing the water damage
in the basement, a pegboard wall covering was removed wherein Buyer discovered a
crack in the west wall of the basement. Additionally, when Buyer attempted
to use the gas fireplace in the basement it would not operate because
of a gas leak. Buyer also believed that a battery-powered back-up sump
pump, which Buyer had seen when he toured the home, had been improperly
removed from the Residence by Sellers. Buyer contacted Sellers requesting reimbursement for
these items, Sellers refused, and on April 29, 2002, Buyer filled a complaint
against Sellers alleging four material misrepresentations regarding the condition of the Residence:
(1) the nature and extent of alleged water intrusion in the basement; (2)
the existence and extent of alleged structural damage to the basement wall; (3)
the defective condition of the basement fireplace; and (4) the improper removal of
a battery-powered back-up sump pump.
Sellers filed their Answer and Affirmative Defenses on June 13, 2002, and moved
for summary judgment on December 30, 2002, asserting that as a matter of
law under Ind. Code Ann. § 32-21-5-1 et seq. (West, PREMISE through 2003
1st Regular Sess.), Buyer could not recover on a fraud claim based on
misrepresentations in Sellers Disclosure Form or from Sellers statements. Sellers designated as
evidence their affidavits, portions of Buyers deposition detailing, inter alia, his knowledge of
disclosed water seepage, Pilot-Lites documentation, the Purchase Agreement for the Residence, the Sellers
Disclosure Form, the Personal Property Agreement, and all previously filed pleadings. Buyer
filed an opposition to Sellers Motion, claiming that the extent of Sellers knowledge
regarding water seepage in the Residence created a question of fact. Buyer
also alleged the fact-finder must determine whether Buyer had a reasonable opportunity to
inspect the home for the alleged structural defect. Buyer finally claimed there
was an issue of fact regarding Sellers knowledge that the fireplace was defective.
Buyer designated as evidence his affidavit, that of his live-in girlfriend, and
all materials designated by Sellers.
In their Reply Brief, Sellers countered that as a matter of law Buyer
could not rely on representations in the Disclosure Form, and that Buyer had
not designated any evidence to show that Sellers knowledge, or lack thereof, regarding
water seepage or a structural defect was untrue. Sellers also asserted that
Buyers claims regarding the fireplace failed as a matter of law based on
the liability limitation in I.C. § 32-21-5-11. Finally, Sellers asserted that Buyer
failed to explain how removal of a sump pump could justify a claim
for fraudulent representation.
A hearing was held on May 13, 2003. On June 20, 2003,
the trial court denied Sellers Motion for Summary Judgment as against Buyer (Sellers
Motion). On July 16, 2003, Sellers filed a Petition for Certification of
Appeal of Interlocutory Order. On August 15, 2003, the trial court granted
the petition and certified for appeal its June 20 order. On October
10, 2003, this court accepted jurisdiction of the interlocutory appeal.
On appeal, Sellers contend that the trial court improperly denied their motion for
summary judgment because: (1) the decision was contrary to Indiana law as Buyers
claims were based on the Disclosure Form; (2) Buyer failed to designate any
evidence to refute Sellers lack of knowledge as to an alleged structural defect
in the basement; (3) Buyer had designated no evidence to refute that Sellers
relied on Pilot-Lites representation when indicating their basement fireplace was not defective.
In reviewing an appeal from the denial of a motion for summary judgment,
we apply the same standard applicable in the trial court. State v.
Snyder, 732 N.E.2d 1240 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000). Summary judgment is appropriate
only if there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and
the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Ind. Trial Rule 56(C). On appeal, we construe all facts and reasonable
inferences to be drawn from those facts in favor of the non-moving party.
Barnard v. Saturn Corp., 790 N.E.2d 1023 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).
We do not reweigh the evidence, but liberally construe all designated evidentiary material
in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party to determine whether there
is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Id.
To be considered genuine for summary judgment purposes, a material issue of fact
must be established by sufficient evidence in support of the claimed factual dispute
to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties differing versions of
the truth at trial.
Id. at 1028. Moreover, to establish a cause of action for fraudulent
misrepresentation Buyer must demonstrate: (1) Sellers made false statements of past or
existing material facts; (2) Sellers made such statements knowing them to be false
or made them recklessly without knowledge as to their truth or falsity; (3)
Sellers made the statements to induce Buyer to act upon them; (4) Buyer
justifiably relied and acted upon the statements; and, (5) Buyer suffered injury.
See Adoptive Parents of M.L.V. v. Wilkins, 598 N.E.2d 1054 (Ind. Ct. App.
1992).
Buyers fraudulent misrepresentation allegations regarding flooding in the basement are based upon the
Disclosure Form. Indiana law requires a seller to provide a potential buyer
with a disclosure form before an offer is accepted for the sale of
residential real estate.
See footnote
See I.C. § 32-21-5-1; see also Ind. Admin. Code
tit. 876, r. 1-1-43. The disclosure form must include the owners disclosure
of the known condition of, inter alia, the residences foundation, roof, and water
and sewage systems. I.C. § 32-21-5-7(3). Moreover, I.C. § 32-21-5-9 specifically
distinguishes a disclosure form from a warranty, and contains a provision specifically limiting
a sellers liability for errors in a disclosure form:
The owner is not liable for any error, inaccuracy, or omission of any
information required to be delivered to the prospective buyer under this chapter if:
the error, inaccuracy or omission was not within the actual knowledge of the
owner or it was based on information provided by a public agency or
by another person with a professional license or special knowledge who provided a
written or oral report or opinion that the owner reasonably believed to be
correct; and
the owner was not negligent in obtaining information from a third party and
transmitting the information.
I.C. § 32-21-5-11. The Disclosure Form at issue also stated: The
knowledge contained in this Disclosure has been furnished by the Seller, who certifies
the truth thereof, based on the Sellers CURRENT ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE. Appellants Appendix
at 22 (emphasis in original).
In asserting that summary judgment was improperly denied on the issue of water
seepage in the basement, Sellers focus on the fact that the Disclosure Form
is not a warranty and cannot be the basis for a fraud claim.
In so arguing, Sellers rely heavily on Kashman v. Hass, 766 N.E.2d
417 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), the only case our research, and that
of the parties, has uncovered dealing with the extent of liability a seller
of residential property may face in connection with a disclosure form. In
Kashman, sellers had discovered and repaired termite damage in their home in 1994
and 1997. After the 1997 repairs, the contractor performing the work orally
assured sellers that all known termite damage had been repaired. In 1998,
when sellers were attempting to sell their home, they provided buyers a disclosure
form indicating that their home had no damage from wind, flood, termites, or
rodents. Buyers hired an independent home inspector who found no termite damage,
however, after the sale was completed, buyers discovered termite damage in the home
and filed suit against sellers asserting breach of contract and fraud. Sellers
unsuccessfully moved for summary judgment and consequently filed a motion to certify the
order for interlocutory appeal. The trial court, sua sponte, reconsidered and reversed
its earlier ruling and granted sellers summary judgment motion. Buyer filed an
unsuccessful motion to correct errors and then appealed. On appeal, this court
upheld the decision of the trial court granting summary judgment for sellers.
The court determined that sellers reasonably relied upon the contractors assurances that all
damage had been repaired when they completed and signed the Disclosure Form, id.
at 422, and buyers had designated no evidence to the contrary. Therefore,
Ind. Code. § [32-21-5-11] excuses Sellers from any liability based upon their answers
on the Disclosure Form. Id. at 422; see also I.C. § 32-21-5-11
([t]he owner is not liable
if: (1) the error
was based on information provided by
a public agency or by another person with a professional license or special
knowledge who provided a written or oral report or opinion that the owner
reasonably believed to be correct).
Here, unlike Kashman, Sellers did not rely on a contractors assurances in
completing the Disclosure Form with regard to water seepage in the basement.
Thus, Kashman is distinguishable. Moreover, more important than how much insulation is
granted to representations in a disclosure form is the question of the extent
of Sellers actual knowledge at the time they completed and signed the form.
In order to prevail on summary judgment, Sellers were required to show
that there was no material question of fact regarding their knowledge of the
extent of water leakage at the time the Disclosure Form was completed.
We are unable to say that the evidence designated by Sellers provides this
definitive showing, especially in light of the past undisclosed water leakage in the
home leading to a lawsuit against the Myreses and the extensive remodeling Sellers
undertook after the water seepage allegedly subsided. A fact-finder is required to
resolve the parties differing versions of the truth at trial and summary judgment
was properly denied on the issue of water seepage.
Similarly, an issue of fact exists regarding the structural defect in
the west wall of the basement. While Sellers assert they had no
cause to remove the pegboard from the wall and discover the defect, the
question again is one of actual knowledge of the defect. At this
point in the litigation, Buyer certainly faces an uphill battle in disputing Sellers
assertion that they had no actual knowledge of the alleged structural damage, but
the water damage the Sellers experienced upon purchasing the house from the Myreses
and the extensive remodeling they undertook raises a question of fact regarding their
knowledge. As such, summary judgment was properly denied.
Despite finding that summary judgment was properly denied on the water seepage and
structural defect issues, we find summary judgment was improperly denied on the fraudulent
misrepresentation claims involving the basement fireplace and the sump pump. Regarding the
basement fireplace, Sellers designated as evidence the written report of Pilot-Lite, a professional
heating company, which stated: Lit pilot and checked operation of lower level fireplace.
Checked upper fireplace operation. Both units are operating normally. Appellants
Appendix at 66. I.C. § 32-21-5-11 provides that Sellers are not liable
for any error or inaccuracy in a disclosure form based on information provided
by a person with a professional license who provided a written opinion that
the owners reasonably believed to be correct. See also Kashman v. Haas,
766 N.E.2d 417. Sellers asserted they relied on Pilot-Lites written report in
indicating on the Disclosure Form that the basement fireplace was not defective.
Buyer designated no evidence to refute this claim. Summary judgment was improperly
denied for Sellers on Buyers claim of fraudulent misrepresentation regarding the basement fireplace.
Moreover, we agree with Sellers that it remains unclear exactly how, in the
context of these facts, the removal of a used ace in the hole
sump pump can be considered fraudulent. Appellants Brief at 6. The
parties do not dispute that a back-up sump pump was removed from the
Residence, but Buyer claims the sump pump was part of the purchase price
paid for the Residence and should have remained with the Residence. Buyer,
however, never explains how this claim gives rise to an issue of fraudulent
misrepresentation. Indeed, Buyer presents no evidence of any statement made to him
regarding the sump pump, let alone a misrepresentation of fact, an essential element
of a fraudulent misrepresentation claim. See Adoptive Parents of M.L.V. v. Wilkins,
598 N.E.2d 1054. Summary judgment was improperly denied on this issue.
Based on the foregoing, the trial court properly denied summary judgment on the
issues of water seepage and the structural defect, but erred in denying summary
judgment based on the basement fireplace and the back-up sump pump.
Judgment affirmed in part and reversed in part.
KIRSCH, C.J., and BARNES, J., concur.