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You can search the entire site. or go to the recent opinions, or the chronological or subject indices. Tuyen Dinh v. Matthew Raines and Melissa Clayton (2/23/2024) sp-7688
Notice: This opinion is subject to correction before publication in the PACIFIC REPORTER.
Readers are requested to bring errors to the attention of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts,
303 K Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, phone (907) 264-0608, fax (907) 264-0878, email
corrections@akcourts.gov.
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
TUYEN DINH, )
) Supreme Court No. S-18262
Appellant, )
) Superior Court No. 3UN-20-00015 CI
v. )
) O P I N I O N
MATTHEW RAINES and MELISSA )
CLAYTON, ) No. 7688 - February 23, 2024
)
Appellees. )
)
Appeal from the Superior Court of the State of Alaska, Third
Judicial District, Unalaska, Herman G. Walker, Jr., Judge.
Appearances: Taylor R. Thompson, Thompson Law Group,
Anchorage, for Appellant. No appearance by Appellees
Matthew Raines and Melissa Clayton.
Before: Maassen, Chief Justice, and Carney, Borghesan,
Henderson, and Pate, Justices.
PATE, Justice.
Introduction
Tenants complained to their landlord about the habitability of a rental unit.
After the landlord failed to address the issues, the tenants withheld rent and asked the
landlord to reimburse their additional utilities costs. The landlord refused and, instead,
evicted the tenants for nonpayment of rent.
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The superior court held a damages trial. The landlord sought unpaid rent
and compensation for damage to property. The tenants counterclaimed, accusing the
landlord of violating multiple provisions of the Uniform Residential Landlord and
Tenant Act (URLTA). The court largely found in favor of the tenants and awarded
them damages, interest, and attorney's fees.
We affirm the superior court's findings that the landlord failed to maintain
1
the premises in a habitable condition as required under AS 34.03.100 and willfully
diminished the tenant's essential services under AS 34.03.210. We reverse the court's
conclusion that the tenants can recover for the landlord's failure to deliver possession
under AS 34.03.170. We affirm aspects of the court's award of damages, but reverse
those awards that are not supported by the record.
FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS
A. Facts
1. Dinh's apartment building
Tuyen Dinh owns an apartment building in Unalaska. The apartment
building was zoned as a residential single-family duplex with two dwelling units, 178
and 180 Chernofski Drive. In 2016 Dinh obtained a conditional use permit to add a
third dwelling unit to the building, 176 Chernofski Drive. The conditional use permit
specified that the property owner was not authorized to "modify the building in the
future to include any more than three dwelling units" and "[t]he electric service must
have one meter for each dwelling unit and one meter for any common spaces, such as a
boiler room."
1 We use the American spelling "willfully" except when quoting URLTA,
which uses the British spelling "wilfully." See AS 34.03.040(b), .070(d), .170(b), .210,
.230(a), .280, .290(c).
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Each unit had three stories. The lower stories of 178 and 180 Chernofski
Drive had ground-level one-car garages, while 176 Chernofski Drive had a similar
storage space.
In 2017 a complaint was filed with the city against Dinh alleging that he
had built additional unpermitted dwelling units into the garage areas in violation of his
conditional use permit. The city investigated the complaint, notified Dinh that he was
"in apparent violation" of his conditional use permit, and threatened to take legal action.
Dinh applied to amend his conditional use permit "to allow additional rooms on the
garage level." The application was denied. But no legal enforcement action was taken
at that time and the unpermitted rooms remained in Dinh's apartment building.
2. Dinh's rental agreement with Clayton and Raines
In late 2019, Matthew Raines was seeking housing for himself and
Melissa Clayton, his fiancée at the time. Clayton and Raines scheduled a tour of 176
Chernofski Drive with Dinh and Lisa Tran, Dinh's daughter. The group ascended the
stairs and toured the apartment. Tran filled out an inspection checklist.
Upon completing the apartment tour, Clayton and Raines signed a rental
agreement, leasing the apartment from Dinh for a one-year period. The rental
agreement, provided by Dinh, described the premises as "END UNIT TOWNHOUSE
- 3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH" and provided that "[n]o other portion of the building . . .
wherein the Premises [are] located is included unless expressly provided for in this
Agreement." Handwritten additions to the rental agreement provided that the tenants
could place a shipping container on the property for storage. The rental agreement also
provided that "[s]moking is not permitted inside the leased Premises." Dinh agreed "to
maintain the Premises in reasonably good repair at all times and perform repairs
reasonably necessary to satisfy any implied warranty of habitability." Finally, the rental
agreement specified that "[t]enant shall be responsible for all utilities and services
incurred in connection with the Premises."
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Clayton and Raines moved into the apartment that night. The next day,
Tran emailed Clayton and Raines an electronic copy of the lease agreement, attaching
the inspection checklist she had filled out during the apartment tour, which she had
signed on Dinh's behalf. Raines's shipping container was placed in an open area
adjacent to the side of the building where the apartment was located.
3. Clayton and Raines's tenancy
In addition to owning the apartment building, Dinh owned a restaurant in
Unalaska. While Dinh was renting the apartment to Clayton and Raines, Dinh was
allowing his restaurant employees to live rent-free in the unpermitted dwelling units
within the building. Clayton and Raines testified that Dinh did not tell them about this
arrangement during the apartment tour and that they discovered the employees only
after signing the rental agreement. Raines testified that while walking through the
garage to inspect the boiler he walked past the unpermitted dwelling units, which were
deadbolted shut. Raines testified that he inquired about the locked rooms and that Dinh
said the rooms were "for storage only." Dinh and Tran testified that they told Clayton
and Raines that Dinh's employees would be staying in the garage rooms before signing
the rental agreement.
Soon after moving in, Clayton and Raines experienced issues with the
apartment. Clayton and Raines heard loud noises coming from the garage. They
smelled cigarette smoke, which emanated from the garage and drifted up the stairs. The
smoke caused Raines asthma attacks. Clayton and Raines testified that they reported
the smoke to Dinh and Tran.
More problems arose. A neighbor confronted Raines about the location
of his shipping container, claiming that it was not on Dinh's property. A surveyor
confirmed that the shipping container was partially on the neighbor's property. Dinh
testified that he told Raines to move the shipping container to the other side of the
building. But Raines testified that Dinh never made room on the other side, which was
always occupied by parked cars.
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Around three months into the lease Clayton moved out of the apartment
and left the state. Clayton and Raines testified that Clayton left because of personal
disagreements with Raines, which were aggravated by the stress of living in the
apartment.
Raines noticed issues with the apartment's utilities. The temperature in
the apartment would sometimes become too hot. He testified that he frequently lacked
hot water. He testified that in March 2020 he lost hot water and went to check the
boiler. While in the garage, Raines discovered that one of Dinh's employees had
spliced into his cable television and internet. Raines went to Dinh's restaurant to
confront him about the issue, but because Dinh was out of town, he reported the issue
to Duy Tran, Lisa Tran's husband. Raines testified that Duy Tran told him to stop
paying rent until the issue was resolved.
Lisa Tran testified that Raines told her Dinh's employees were stealing
internet and cable. Tran testified that she notified Dinh about the issue, asked Raines
to provide her with "invoices or proof of some sort," and assured Raines she would
speak with Dinh's employees about the issue or have her parents do so. Raines
unhooked the spliced internet and cable connection and switched to a new internet and
cable provider.
In April 2020, Raines started withholding rent. Dinh texted Raines asking
him to pay rent, and Raines replied that he would not pay rent until he was reimbursed
for the stolen internet and cable. Raines testified that he also called Dinh to discuss the
issue. Raines testified that Dinh threatened to come to the apartment and throw out
Raines's possessions. Tran later obtained a trespass order preventing Raines from
entering Dinh's restaurant. Raines never provided Dinh with receipts for the cost of the
extra utilities.
Dinh provided Raines with a written notice to quit in May 2020 seeking
$2,200 in unpaid rent. In early June, Dinh served Raines with a "5-Day Notice to Quit,"
seeking to terminate the lease.
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4. City investigation
Raines filed a report with city officials in early June 2020 alleging theft of
services by Dinh. Officials investigated and confirmed that the unpermitted dwelling
units in the garage were being occupied by Dinh's employees. Officials also found
numerous housing and fire code violations.
Later that month the city notified Dinh that he was in violation of his
conditional use permit. The notice identified "at least three one room dwelling units, a
shared bathroom, and a shared laundry area that are not included in the building plans
submitted with the property building application." One week later the city officially
revoked Dinh's conditional use permit. The revocation identified the remedial actions
available to Dinh and described the penalties for continued noncompliance.
B. Proceedings
1. Eviction proceedings
On June 13, 2020, Dinh filed a complaint for forcible entry and detainer
to evict Clayton and Raines, to recover possession of the apartment, and to obtain
damages for unpaid rent. Raines answered and counterclaimed under Alaska's URLTA
2
provisions, alleging retaliation, unlawful entry into a leased dwelling without notice or
permission, failure to return or account for a security deposit, and failure to maintain a
habitable dwelling.
Raines also alleged that Dinh had housed three people in the basement
who were "using/stealing" electricity, fuel, cable, and internet. Raines hired a heating
technician to trace the fuel and electricity lines going into the boiler and the hot water
and heat lines coming off of the boiler. The technician testified that the boiler was
drawing power from Raines's electric meter, using fuel from Raines's fuel tank, and
supplying the garage bathroom with hot water. The technician also testified that he
traced four heat lines coming off of the boiler. Two went upstairs to the apartment, one
2 URLTA is codified at AS 34.03.010-.360.
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provided radiant heat to the garage-level common area, and one "disappeared into the
floor."
A superior court master held a hearing on the issue of possession. The
master found that Raines did not pay rent in April, May, June, and July, which totaled
$8,800. The master found that Raines had notified Dinh in writing, via text message
on April 15, 2020, that Dinh's employees were using Raines's utilities. The master
concluded that Raines could deduct the actual costs of heating fuel and electricity from
3
rent under AS 34.03.180. But the master also concluded that internet and cable were
not "essential services." The master recommended granting Dinh possession of the
apartment because the amount of unpaid rent exceeded Raines's deductible costs. The
superior court adopted the master's recommendations and ordered Raines to vacate the
apartment.
Raines hired a friend to help him move out of the apartment. While Raines
was moving a couch, his foot went through the floor of the apartment. Raines testified
that the hole in the floor showed signs of water damage, and his friend testified that "the
condition of the wood" was "really bad" and "the condition of the floor was very bad."
After Raines moved out, Dinh kept Raines's security deposit and requested an
additional $11,696.53 for back rent, lost keys, and repairs, including fixing door trim,
repainting the apartment, and patching the hole in the floor.
2. Damages trial
The superior court held a damages trial which took place over multiple
days from November 2020 to April 2021. The court found that Dinh's violation of the
housing code, fire code, and his conditional use permit - including housing his
3 See AS 34.03.180 (providing that if landlord "deliberately or negligently
fails to supply running water, hot water, heat, sanitary facilities, or other essential
services," tenant may "recover damages based on the diminution in the fair rental value
of the dwelling unit" after giving "written notice to the landlord specifying the breach").
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employees in the unpermitted dwelling units - had "impact[ed] the habitability of the
4
home" in violation of AS 34.03.100. The court found that the violations "did not make
[the apartment] uninhabitable" but that "the value of the leasehold was . . . diminished
by the rent that was not paid" pursuant to AS 34.03.190.
The superior court found Dinh knew his employees were using Clayton
and Raines's electricity and hot water, and Dinh "had complete control over the
premises" but had not stopped the interference, thus making him liable for the cost of
5
Raines's electricity and heating fuel under AS 34.03.160. The court also found Dinh
liable for the cost of Clayton and Raines switching cable and internet providers. The
court ordered Dinh to pay for Raines's moving expenses and to return the security
deposit. The court found that pre-existing water damage had caused paint to peel and
weakened the floor; it denied Dinh damages for the cost of repainting the apartment and
patching the hole in the floor. But the court awarded Dinh damages for the cost of
repairing the door trim.
The superior court found that Dinh had willfully diminished Clayton and
Raines's basic services and consequently reduced the value of their leasehold under
6
AS 34.03.210. The court also ruled that Dinh had "willful[ly] and not in good faith"
4 AS 34.03.100 (requiring that landlord maintain fit premises, make repairs,
keep common areas safe and clean, maintain facilities and appliances, remove garbage,
provide water and heat, provide locks and keys, and provide smoke detectors).
5 AS 34.03.160(b) (providing that "tenant may recover damages and obtain
injunctive relief for any noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or
AS 34.03.100, 34.03.210, or 34.03.280," except as otherwise provided by URLTA).
6 AS 34.03.210 (providing that if landlord "wilfully diminishes services to
the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric, gas, water, sanitary, or
other essential service to the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the
rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not to exceed one and one-half
times the actual damages").
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failed to deliver possession of the apartment under AS 34.03.170. Regarding Dinh's
lack of good faith, the court found that:
[Dinh] leased an apartment where he knew illegal tenants
were living in the garage. These same illegal tenants were
using the hot water and tapped into [Raines and Clayton's]
utilities. [Dinh] did not tell [Raines and Clayton] about the
illegal tenants. [Raines] testified that [when] he asked what
was behind the boards in the garage, he was told "storage."
It was human storage.
The court awarded Raines a total of $20,000 in "exemplary damages,"
consisting of $10,000 in damages for each of the two violations. The court found
7
"insufficient evidence" of retaliation under AS 34.03.310. The court issued a final
judgment, awarding Clayton and Raines damages, interest, and attorney's fees totaling
$63,947.94.
Dinh now appeals the superior court's damages award.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
8
We review the superior court's statutory interpretations de novo. We
construe statutes using three factors: "the language of the statute, the legislative history,
9
and the legislative purpose behind the statute."
7 See AS 34.03.310 (providing that landlord may not retaliate "by
increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action
for possession after tenant has (1) complained to the landlord of a violation of
AS 34.03.100; (2) sought to enforce rights and remedies granted the tenant under this
chapter; . . . or (4) complained to a governmental agency responsible for enforcement
of governmental housing, wage, price, or rent controls" (emphasis added)).
8 Guilford v. Weidner Inv. Servs., Inc., 522 P.3d 1085, 1093 (Alaska 2023).
9 Id. (quoting Oels, 279 P.3d at 595).
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"Leases are contracts," so we review their interpretation de novo with
respect to questions of law.10 However, "we apply the clearly erroneous standard in
reviewing the [superior] court's background findings of fact" used as a basis for its
interpretation of a contract.11
We "review the superior court's evidentiary rulings for an abuse of
discretion."12 We "will find an abuse of discretion when the decision on review is
manifestly unreasonable."13 But we will reverse "only if 'the error affected the
substantial rights of a party.' "14
When the superior court acts as a "trier of fact," we review the superior
court's factual findings for clear error.15 We also review the superior court's damages
awards for clear error.16 But we apply our "independent judgment in deciding whether
the trial court's award of damages is based on an erroneous application of law."17 Clear
10 Rockstad v. Glob. Fin. & Inv. Co. , 41 P.3d 583, 586 (Alaska 2002) (citing
49 AM. JUR. 2D Landlord and Tenant § 43 (1995)).
11 Id. (citing Klosterman v. Hickel Inv. Co. , 821 P.2d 118, 122 (Alaska
1991)).
12 Guilford, 522 P.3d at 1093 (citing Luther v. Lander , 373 P.3d 495, 499
(Alaska 2016)).
13 Punches v. McCarrey Glen Apartments, LLC , 480 P.3d 612, 619 (Alaska
2021) (quoting Sykes v. Lawless, 474 P.3d 636, 646 (Alaska 2020)).
14 Id. at 620 (quoting Ray v. Draeger, 353 P.3d 806, 810 (Alaska 2015)).
15 Burton v. Fountainhead Dev., Inc. , 393 P.3d 387, 392 (Alaska 2017), as
amended on reh'g, (May 9, 20 17) (first quoting Wasserman v. Bartholomew, 38 P.3d
1162, 1166 (Alaska 2002); then quoting Lentine v. State , 282 P.3d 369, 375-76 (Alaska
2012)).
16 Griffith v. Hemphill, 521 P.3d 584, 590 (Alaska 2022) (citing Burton, 393
P.3d at 392).
17 Burton, 393 P.3d at 393 (quoting Beaux v. Jacob , 30 P.3d 90, 97 (Alaska
2001)).
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error exists "when 'after a thorough review of the record, we come to a definite and
firm conviction that a mistake has been made.' "18
DISCUSSION
This case is a landlord-tenant dispute controlled by URLTA. URLTA is
a model code that has been adopted by a number of states, including Alaska.19 The
purposes of URLTA are to (1) "simplify, clarify, modernize, and revise the law
governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlord and
tenant;" (2) "encourage landlord and tenant to maintain and improve the quality of
housing; and" (3) "make uniform the law among those states that enact it."20 More
specifically URLTA codifies rights and remedies for residential landlords and tenants.
"By its own terms, [URLTA] is to be 'liberally construed and applied to promote its
underlying purposes and policies .' "21
For the reasons explained below, we affirm the superior court's rulings on
habitability and willful diminution of services, but we reverse its ruling as to failure to
deliver possession.22 We affirm the damages awards that are supported by the record,
18 Id. at 392 (quoting Laybourn v. City of Wasilla , 362 P.3d 447, 453 (Alaska
2015)).
19 AS 34.03.010 et seq.; see Robert D. Mercer-Falkoff, Note, Uniform
Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: The Impact of Existing State Laws, 7 J. LEGIS.
158, 158-59 & n.2 (1980).
20 AS 34.03.010.
21 Sullivan v. Subramanian, 2 P.3d 66, 69 (Alaska 2000) (quoting
AS 34.03.010).
22 Dinh argues that the superior court erred by admitting exhibits showing
violations of his conditional use permit and various housing codes. He maintains the
exhibits should have been excluded as inadmissible hearsay and as unfairly prejudicial
under Evidence Rule 403. But Dinh did not make any of these evidentiary arguments
to the superior court. Further, Dinh fails to argues on appeal that the superior court
committed plain error. Thus these arguments are waived. See Anchorage Nissan, Inc.
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totaling $6,106.58, but we reverse other damages awards and vacate the two $10,000
"exemplary damages" awards because they lack a firm basis in the evidence.
A. The Superior Court Correctly Concluded That Dinh Violated The
Warranty Of Habitability Under AS 34.03.100(a).
Dinh filed a complaint for forcible entry and detainer to evict and recover
the apartment because Clayton and Raines did not pay rent between April and July
2020.23 After obtaining possession of the apartment, Dinh also sought recovery of
unpaid rent.24
Alaska Statute 34.03.190(b) allowed Clayton and Raines to counterclaim
"for any amount recoverable under the rental agreement or [URLTA]."25 Clayton and
v. State, 941 P.2d 1229, 1239-40 (Alaska 1997) ("Issues not raised in the court below
are ordinarily considered waived and will not be considered on appeal, except where
plain error has been committed.").
23 See AS 09.45.070 (providing cause of action to recover possession for
forcible entry or detention); see also AS 34.03.220(b) (providing that upon proper
notice landlord may terminate rental agreement for tenant's failure to pay rent).
24 See AS 34.03.220(c) (providing that landlord may recover actual damages
for tenant's noncompliance with rental agreement).
25 The superior court's order cited to "AS 33.03.090(a)," which is a statute
that does not exist. We conclude that this citation reflected a typographical error and
the superior court intended to cite AS 34.03.190, which provides in part:
In an action for possession based upon nonpayment of the
rent or in an action for rent when the tenant is in possession,
the tenant may counterclaim for any amount recoverable
under the rental agreement or this chapter. If a counterclaim
is made, the court shall determine whether the defense is
supported by the evidence and, if so, may order that . . . the
periodic rent is to be reduced to reflect the diminution in
value of the dwelling unit during the period of
noncompliance . . . .
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Raines sought to recover damages under AS 34.03.160(b), alleging that Dinh breached
the rental agreement and the warranty of habitability AS 34.03.100 imposed.26
On appeal Dinh now raises various arguments for why he did not violate
the warranty of habitability, each of which we address below.
1. The impaired habitability of the apartment diminished the
value of the leasehold.
At trial Clayton and Raines presented evidence in an attempt to show that
the habitability of the apartment was impaired. AS 34.03.190(a) requires the superior
court to evaluate whether this evidence supported Clayton and Raines's counterclaim.
If the evidence did support their counterclaim, the superior court could reduce the
amount of rent owed "to reflect the diminution in value of the dwelling unit during the
period of noncompliance."27 The court found that Dinh had violated AS 34.03.100 and
that the violation had caused the value of Clayton and Raines's "leasehold [to]
diminish[] by the $8,800 that [wa]s owed in past rent." Dinh argues that this finding
was erroneous. We disagree.
The superior court listed a number of code violations that impacted the
habitability of the apartment. These violations included (1) a storage room that was
plumbed for a bathroom; (2) fire and building safety code violations; (3) missing fire
extinguishers; (4) exposed wiring and dangling lights from wires; and (5) poor
ventilation resulting in mildew and molding. The court explained how these violations
also "led to other problems that impacted the habitability of the home."
26 AS 34.03.100 (requiring that landlord must "make all repairs and do
whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition");
see also Guilford v. Weidner Inv. Servs., Inc., 522 P.3d 1085, 1097 (Alaska 2023)
(explaining that AS 34.03.160(b) creates "general remedy for the landlord's
noncompliance with the rental agreement or the warranty of habitability") .
27 AS 34.03.190(a).
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The court also described how Dinh's employee's cigarette smoke caused
Raines asthma attacks and "caused tension" between Clayton and Raines, which
decreased their use and enjoyment of the premises. The court found that Dinh's
employees improperly used Clayton and Raines's utilities, which caused Clayton and
Raines to incur additional costs from "internet and oil bills [that] were excessive."
Raines had to take cold showers because there was no hot water. Because Dinh allowed
these conditions to exist, the court determined that the "leasehold value was diminished
because of [Dinh's] conduct."
Not every violation of the housing code constitutes a violation of the
landlord's duty to maintain habitability.28 Instead, we look to the conditions in the
rental unit to determine whether the landlord has violated AS 34.03.100(a). In this case,
the court noted a constellation of problems Raines endured, which included lacking
clean air to breathe and warm water for bathing.
We have noted that diminished rental value is a proper measure of
damages under URLTA, provided that the value is proved.29 The Alaska pattern jury
instructions also recognize diminished rental value as a proper measure of damages,
providing "three possible methods of assessing damages" for habitability violations that
"do not include injury to person or property, but merely involve [a tenant's]
aggravation."30
28 See AS 34.03.100(a) (listing a landlord's specific duties).
29 See Sullivan v. Subramanian, 2 P.3d 66, 71 (Alaska 2000) ("Nothing in
[AS 34.03.160] suggests that diminished rental value is an impermissible form of
damages, when actually proved.").
30 Alaska Pattern Jury Instructions - Civ. 30.00 (describing "market value
theory," "percentage reduction theory" and third method, which "straightforwardly
award[s]" damages by calculating "the value of [the tenant's] inconvenience and
suffering").
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Based on the conditions in Raines's rental unit, the court found that the
apartment was not entirely uninhabitable, but that its value had been diminished. The
court's finding drew on relevant evidence presented at trial and explained how
conditions in the rental unit gave rise to habitability violations, which diminished the
rental value of the leasehold in the amount of $8,800. We see no clear error in this
finding.
2. The superior court did not hold Dinh strictly liable for
violations of the housing code.
Dinh argues that the superior court was required to perform a negligence
analysis before awarding diminution-in-value damages for Clayton and Raines's
counterclaim. Dinh points to our statement in Newton v. Magill that the "rejection of
the general rule of landlord immunity does not make landlords liable as insurers."31 The
tenant in Newton brought a personal injury "slip and fall" negligence claim , not a
counterclaim under URLTA.32 In this case Clayton and Raines did not assert a
negligence claim nor did they allege any personal injuries. We have noted that " [f]ault
is irrelevant" to habitability claims under URLTA.33 And we have explained that
"URLTA created a damages action for a different kind of injury, governed by different
standards, than a common law tort action, which provides a remedy for personal
injury."34
31 872 P.2d 1213, 1218 (Alaska 1994). But see id. (departing from a general
rule of immunity because "it would be inconsistent with a landlord's continuing duty to
repair premises imposed under the URLTA to exempt from tort liability a landlord who
fails in this duty").
32 Id. at 1214.
33 Helfrich v. Valdez Motel Corp. , 207 P.3d 552, 561 (Alaska 2009); see also
Guilford v. Weidner Inv. Servs., Inc., 522 P.3d 1085, 1106 (Alaska 2023)
(distinguishing between tort claim and URLTA claim for purposes of attorney's fees).
34 Guilford, 522 P.3d at 1106.
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Under URLTA Clayton and Raines were "entitled to recover damages if
they established any noncompliance . . . with AS 34.03.100(a) that appreciably reduced
their rental values."35 Dinh's argument that "[t]here is no negligence per se in Alaska
for landlords when there are no damages" conflates tort claims with URLTA claims,
which are distinct causes of action. A common law negligence analysis, as proposed
by Dinh, is inapposite to our evaluation of Clayton and Raines's URLTA counterclaim,
which was premised purely on habitability violations arising under AS 34.03.100.
Dinh similarly argues that Clayton and Raines may only recover
diminution-in-value damages for cigarette smoke by proving that Dinh was personally
blowing smoke into the apartment. Dinh states that "[t]here was no evidence that the
landlord even smoked, let alone that he was the one smoking and exhaling secondhand
smoke into the apartment." In support Dinh attempts to rely on DeNardo v.
Corneloup.36 His reliance on Denardo is misplaced: There the tenant claimed that the
landlord breached the covenant of quiet enjoyment,37 but here Raines claims Dinh
breached statutory habitability requirements. A landlord breaches the covenant of quiet
enjoyment only if the landlord caused a "substantial" disturbance.38 In contrast, a
landlord violates URLTA's habitability requirements when he fails to comply with
certain statutory duties.
Alaska Statute 34.03.100(a) states that "the landlord shall . . . maintain in
good and safe working order and condition all . . . ventilating . . . facilities and
appliances," which includes ventilation from all secondhand smoke, not just the
landlord's secondhand smoke. We have noted that "URLTA damages compensate
35 See Sullivan v. Subramanian, 2 P.3d 66, 71 (Alaska 2000) (emphasis in
original).
36 163 P.3d 956 (Alaska 2007).
37 Id. at 960.
38 See id.
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tenants who live with conditions that render a dwelling unfit, uninhabitable, or unsafe,
or who are constructively evicted by those conditions."39 URLTA 's habitability
provision thus directs the court to consider the fitness and habitability of the dwelling;
consideration is not limited to only those characteristics of the dwelling that were
caused by the landlord's personal behavior.
The superior court explained that permit and code violations in the garage
"impacted the habitability of the home" in violation of AS 34.03.100. The court further
explained how these code violations, when compounded by the actions of Dinh's
employees, diminished the value of Raines and Clayton's leasehold. The court
followed AS 34.03.190's instruction to "determine whether the defense is supported by
the evidence" by properly focusing its inquiry on the conditions existing inside Clayton
and Raines's apartment. The superior court's explanation linked the permit and code
violations to specific habitability violations, which it found diminished the rental value.
This satisfied the requirements of a counterclaim under AS 34.03.190. We discern no
clear error in these findings.
3. The superior court did not hold that Clayton and Raines were
allowed to recover based on code violations existing in another
tenant's unit.
Dinh argues that Clayton and Raines could not assert a URLTA
counterclaim based on code violations existing in the unpermitted garage units because
Dinh's employees were the parties who were "actually injured" by those violations.40
Dinh also claims "[t]here is nothing to support the idea that a tenant may sue for any
building code violations located in areas not subject to their leasehold."
As explained above, we have concluded that the conditions that gave rise
to the habitability violations, including the presence of secondhand smoke and mildew
39 Guilford, 522 P.3d at 1106 (emphasis added) (quoting Helfrich , 207 P.3d
at 561).
40 (Emphasis in original).
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and the loss of hot water, were the result of Dinh's failure to maintain the premises
occupied by Clayton and Raines in a habitable condition. The superior court thus
correctly focused on the conditions existing in the residential unit occupied by Clayton
and Raines and not on the conditions endured by Dinh's employees.
Dinh remained in exclusive legal control of the areas occupied by his
employees. The superior court did not err by concluding that Dinh "had complete
control over the premises." The fact that Dinh decided to let his employees live rent-
free in the garage area of the apartment building did not relieve him of his legal duty to
maintain Clayton and Raines's unit in habitable condition.
4. The superior court did not hold that Dinh owed the tenants a
duty of care to protect them from the criminal acts of other
tenants.
Dinh argues he should not be liable for the cost of Clayton and Raines 's
cable and internet bills, including their excess costs due to theft of services and the cost
of switching providers. Dinh claims he is not responsible for "third party" criminal
acts, such as his employees' theft of Clayton and Raines's internet and cable. But
Dinh's argument again ignores the fact that he was in sole control over the garage area.
Alaska Statute 34.03.160(b) creates a "general remedy for the landlord's
noncompliance with the rental agreement or the warranty of habitability."41 This
remedy also "incorporates the right to obtain exemplary damages (one and one-half
times actual damages) for unlawful ouster and the landlord's willful diminution of
essential services."42 The "essential services" enumerated in AS 34.03.210 and
AS 34.03.280, include "electric, gas, water, [and] sanitary" services. Alaska Statute
34.03.100 lists similar services, but adds the requirement that they must be "supplied
or required to be supplied by the landlord." Cable and internet services, which Clayton
41 Guilford, 522 P.3d at 1097.
42 Id. at 1099 (citing AS 34.03.160(b), .210, .280).
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and Raines obtained on their own, are not "essential services" under URLTA. Clayton
and Raines thus could not recover damages for these services under AS 34.03.100,
AS 34.03.210, or AS 34.03.280.
But AS 34.03.160 also creates a general remedy for "any noncompliance
by the landlord with the rental agreement." Per the rental agreement, Clayton and
Raines were "responsible for all utilities and services incurred in connection with the
Premises." The rental agreement provided that Clayton and Raines were required to
notify Dinh if "the [apartment's] condition changes so that, in Tenant's opinion, the . . .
rental value of the Premises are adversely affected."
Raines placed Dinh on notice that his employees were stealing his internet
and cable services. Once Dinh was on notice, the rental agreement obligated Dinh to
address the issue. He failed to do so. Instead, the issue persisted, forcing Clayton and
Raines to switch internet providers and incur $1,050 in damages. This was a breach of
the rental agreement for which AS 34.03.160 granted Clayton and Raines a statutory
remedy. The superior court did not err by awarding $1,050 in damages to Clayton and
Raines for the cost of switching internet and cable providers.
B. The Superior Court Correctly Concluded That Dinh Willfully
Diminished Essential Services Under AS 34.03.210.
The superior court found that Dinh willfully diminished Clayton and
Raines's essential services under AS 34.03.210.43 Alaska Statute 34.03.210 creates a
remedy only if "the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the
premises or wilfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the
interruption of electric, gas, water, sanitary, or other essential service to the tenant."
This remedy provides for the recovery of "one and one-half times the actual
43 AS 34.03.210 (providing that tenant may recover "an amount not to
exceed one and one-half times the actual damages" from landlord who "wilfully
diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric,
gas, water, sanitary, or other essential service" to the tenant).
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damages."44 The term "willful" contemplates a "voluntary or intentional" act coupled
with an accompanying "conscious wrong or evil purpose on the part of the actor, or at
least inexcusable carelessness, whether the act is right or wrong."45
Dinh argues that the superior court erred because it included internet and
cable - which do not qualify as "essential services" under AS 34.03.210 - in its
willful diminution of services finding. But the court's finding on this issue did not
clearly identify which services it considered essential. Elsewhere in the order, the court
explained that Dinh's employees had used Clayton and Raines's cable and internet in
addition to heating fuel, hot water, and electricity. It appears to us that the court
considered all utilities, including cable and internet, as essential services in its finding.
As explained above, internet and cable do not qualify as essential services.
But heating fuel, electricity, and hot water certainly do qualify.46 Thus, to the extent it
did so, it was error for the court to include cable and internet as essential services, but
it was not error to include heating fuel, electricity, and hot water.
Dinh attempts to undercut the degree to which Raines was inconvenienced
by the interruption of essential services by characterizing Raines's testimony as saying
"that on a handful of occasions, he had hot or luke warm water."47 But Raines's
testimony focused on how often he lacked hot water, which Raines said was "multiple
times every month" and "through the whole tenancy ." When considered in context,
44 AS 34.03.210.
45 Willful, BLACK 'S LAW DICTIONARY (11th ed. 2019).
46 See AS 34.03.210 (listing "electric, gas, water, sanitary, or other essential
service[s]").
47 Dinh adopts this characterization of Raines's testimony to argue that the
superior court's exemplary damages award was not reasonably related to evidence in
the record. While we vacate the superior court's exemplary damages award, the crux
of Raines's testimony nonetheless helps establish that Dinh willfully diminished
essential services.
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Raines's testimony makes it clear that he was substantially inconvenienced by the
interruption of hot water.
Dinh argues that he did not act willfully. But the evidence shows Dinh
caused the conditions leading to the interruptions of service. Dinh went through a city
permitting process where his request for additional units in the garage was denied. By
housing his employees in the unpermitted garage units, Dinh exceeded the scope of his
conditional use permit. Although a violation of a conditional use permit is not a per se
diminishment of essential services, Dinh's willfulness is clear because he housed
employees in his garage after being denied his request to have additional residential
units there.
The record also demonstrates Dinh 's knowledge of the conditions leading
to the interruption of essential services. The technician hired by Raines to inspect the
boiler testified it was drawing power from Raines's electricity meter and using fuel
from Raines's fuel tank to heat the unpermitted dwelling units in the garage and supply
the garage bathroom with hot water. Considering the building 's permitting history,
Dinh knew or should have known that the layout of the garage units violated his
conditional use permit, which required one electricity meter for each dwelling unit. But
when it was brought to his attention, he failed to rectify this problem.
Under the circumstances of this case, at the very least, Dinh acted with
inexcusable carelessness by failing to rectify the diminishment of essential services to
Clayton and Raines's apartment.48 As noted above, "inexcusable carelessness" is part
of the definition of "willful" in Black's Law Dictionary.49 The superior court's finding
48 Cf. Guilford v. Weidner Inv. Servs., Inc., 522 P.3d 1085, 1101 (Alaska
2023) (explaining that "the special remedies for failure to supply essential services are
available for both negligent and deliberate conduct" but that "Alaska law punishes more
culpable conduct with a damages multiplier").
49 Supra note 44.
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of willful diminishment of services was not in error and Clayton and Raines were
entitled to "one and one-half times the actual damages" per AS 34.03.210, as long as
an award of such damages does not result in double recovery.
C. Clayton And Raines Are Not Entitled To Damages For Failure To
Deliver Possession Under AS 34.03.170.
The superior court found that Dinh failed to deliver possession of the
apartment to Clayton and Raines within the meaning of AS 34.03.170. We agree with
the superior court that Dinh failed to deliver possession. However, Clayton and Raines
were not entitled to damages under AS 34.03.170 for failure to deliver possession
because they did not give notice soon enough to avail themselves of that remedy.
Three interrelated statutes are relevant to the landlord's obligation to
deliver possession of the premises. First, AS 34.03.170(a) provides that:
If the landlord fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit
to the tenant as provided in AS 34.03.090, rent abates until
possession is delivered and the tenant may (1) upon at least
10 days written notice to the landlord terminate the rental
agreement and upon termination the landlord shall return all
prepaid rent and security deposits; or (2) demand
performance of the rental agreement by the landlord and if
the tenant elects, maintain an action for possession of the
dwelling unit against the landlord and any person wrongfully
in possession and recover the damages sustained.
AS 34.03.170(b) further provides that "an aggrieved tenant" may recover "one and one-
half times the actual damages" if "a person's failure to deliver possession is wilful and
not in good faith." Second, AS 34.03.090(a) provides that "[a]t the commencement of
the term the landlord shall deliver possession of the premises to the tenant in compliance
with the rental agreement and AS 34.03.100." Third, AS 34.03.100 enumerates the
landlord's obligation to "maintain fit premises." Reading these three statutes together,
whether a tenant may recover for a landlord's failure to deliver possession thus depends
on whether the landlord supplied possession of the dwelling unit, which in turn requires
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delivery of premises in compliance with the rental agreement and URLTA's
requirement of habitability.
Clayton and Raines sought to recover under AS 34.03.170 for Dinh's
failure to deliver habitable premises.50 Under AS 34.03.090(a), "at the
commencement" of the rental term the landlord must deliver possession "in compliance
with . . . AS 34.03.100," which is URLTA's habitability provision. Dinh was thus also
obligated to satisfy this condition upon delivering possession. We have not previously
considered whether damages may be awarded for a failure to deliver habitable premises.
Accordingly, we must consider the requirements of habitability and possession to
determine whether Clayton and Raines may recover under AS 34.03.170.
The modern warranty of habitability was developed as a rejection of the
historical common law principle of caveat emptor, which required the tenant to "inspect
the land for himself and take it as he finds it, for better or for worse."51 As landlord and
50 Dinh also argues that AS 34.03.170 applies only if the "landlord fails to
deliver possession of the dwelling unit." (Emphasis in original). Dinh claims that even
if the shipping container was not placed on the "premises ," there is no violation of this
requirement because the shipping container's placement "did not affect the leasehold ."
Dinh's argument fails on the plain language of the statue. Alaska Statute 34.03.170
incorporates the delivery requirements "as provided in AS 34.03.090," which in turn
mandates that "the landlord shall deliver possession of the premises to the tenant in
compliance with the rental agreement." AS 34.03.090(a) (emphasis added). Because
the rental agreement in this case explicitly allowed Raines to store his shipping
container on the building's premises, Dinh was obligated to satisfy this condition upon
delivering possession. However, Raines never incurred damages because his shipping
container remained on the neighbor's property until he was evicted by a valid court
order. Because Raines suffered no actual damages from Dinh's apparent failure to
deliver possession of premises suitable for storing the shipping container, this claim
provides no basis for recovery under AS 34.03.170.
51 Newton v. Magill , 872 P.2d 1213, 1216 (Alaska 1994) (quoting WILLIAM
L. PROSSER, HANDBOOK OF THE LAW OF TORTS § 63, at 400 (4th ed. 1971)); see also
Pugh v. Holmes, 405 A.2d 897, 900-05 (Pa. 1979) (describing development of implied
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tenant statues subsumed, replaced, and modified the existing common law,52 courts
began treating habitability as a factual issue,53 incorporating considerations of housing
codes, health and safety impacts, and enforcing the explicit requirements of URTLA.54
As a result of these developments, courts in various jurisdictions began to
recognize that a "substantial violation" of applicable housing codes constituted a breach
warranty of habitability at common law and concluding that "the doctrine of Caveat
emptor has outlived its usefulness and must be abolished," and that "in order to keep in
step with the realities of modern day leasing, it is appropriate to adopt an implied
warranty of habitability in residential leases").
52 See Newton, 872 P.2d at 1217 n.5 ("The commentary to the URLTA
explicitly recognizes that the common law antecedents of existing landlord-tenant law
are 'inappropriate to modern urban conditions and inexpressive of the vital interests of
the parties and the public which the law must protect." (quoting Unif. Residential
Landlord & Tenant Act § 1.102 cmt. 7B (1985)); see also McCall v. Fickes, 556 P.2d
535, 537 n.3 (Alaska 1976) (stating English common law doctrines "are inappropriate
to modern urban conditions and inexpressive of the vital interests of the parties and the
public which the law must protect") .
53 State, Dep't of Nat. Res. v. Alaskan Crude Corp., 441 P.3d 393, 401
(Alaska 2018) ("[O]rdinarily the question of materiality must be left to the factfinder.");
accord Mease v. Fox , 200 N.W.2d 791, 796 (Iowa 1972) ("[Fitness for habitation] will
usually be a fact question to be determined by the circumstances of each case."); Pugh,
405 A.2d at 905 ("Materiality of the breach is a question of fact to be decided by the
trier of fact on a case-by-case basis."); Glasoe v. Trinkle, 479 N.E.2d 915, 920 (Ill.
1985) ("Whether there has been a breach of the warranty [of habitability] is a question
of fact to be determined on a case-by-case basis.").
54 Amick v. Metro . Mort. & Sec. Co., 453 P.2d 412, 414 (Alaska 1969)
(proposing that whether differences in opinion may exist about "tenantability" of a
dwelling is "question of fact"), overruled on other grounds by Wickwire v. City &
Borough of Juneau , 557 P.2d 783, 785 (1976). The Alaska pattern jury instructions
also contemplate treating some habitability violations that are "not covered by the
enumerated § 100 conditions" as legal issues. See Alaska Pattern Jury Instructions Civ
- 30.00. For example, they propose the possibility of treating "rampant vermin
infestation, [as] a violation of § 100 as a matter of law." Id.
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of the implied warranty of habitability if it materially affected health or safety.55 The
materiality of a breach turned on "the nature, seriousness and duration of the defect"56
in light of relevant "community standards."57 The dichotomy between material
habitability violations and nonmaterial habitability violations is reflected by URLTA in
the tenant's general remedy : A tenant may recover damages for any noncompliance
with AS 34.03.100, but may terminate the lease only for material noncompliance.58
URLTA adopted the historical "English Rule" of possession,59 under
which the landlord had a duty to deliver actual physical possession of the leased
premises to the tenant, as opposed to the "American Rule," which merely required
delivery of the legal right to possession.60 The Restatement (Second) of Property states
55 See, e.g., Hilder v. St. Peter , 478 A.2d 202, 208 (Vt. 1984) ("A substantial
violation of an applicable housing code shall constitute prima facie evidence that there
has been a breach of the warranty of habitability."); cf. Green v. Superior Ct., 517 P.2d
1168, 1183 (Cal. 1974) ("In most cases substantial compliance with those applicable
building and housing code standards which materially affect health and safety will
suffice to meet the landlord's obligations . . . .").
56 Pugh, 405 A.2d at 906.
57 Detling v. Edelbrock, 671 S.W.2d 265, 270 (Mo. 1984) (en banc)
("Habitability is to be measured by community standards, reflected in most cases in
local housing and property maintenance codes."), abrogated on other grounds by Heins
Implement Co. v. Mo. Highway & Transp. Comm 'n, 859 S.W.2d 681, 684 n.2 (Mo.
1993) (en banc).
58 Compare AS 34.03.160(b), with AS 34.03.160(a).
59 UNIF . RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD & TENANT ACT § 301 (1972) (providing
that "[t]his section . . . adopts the position that actual possession, as distinguished from
a mere legal right to possession, must be delivered to the tenant at the commencement
of the term of the lease."); see also Christopher W. Sullivan, Forgotten Lessons from
the Common Law, the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and the Holdover
Tenant, 84 WASH. U.L. REV. 1287, 1315 (2006).
60 Compare, e.g., Dilly v. Paynsville Land Co. , 155 N.W. 971, 972 (Iowa
1916) (adopting English Rule and explaining that "there is an implied covenant between
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that the tenant's remedy for a landlord 's failure to deliver possession may change
depending on whether the tenant physically enters onto the leased premises,61 whether
the habitability violation affects health or safety,62 and whether the tenant knew about
the condition of the premises prior to entry.63 The Restatement further states that if,
upon entry, the tenant finds the premises are deficient, then the tenant is obligated to
notify the landlord within a reasonable time.64 Courts in other jurisdictions have found
inadequate delivery of possession even after brief periods of entry by the tenant.65 We
the lessor and the lessee that, when the time comes for the lessee to take possession, the
premises shall be open to him for that purpose, and he is under no obligation to maintain
an action against one in possession to secure such right"), with, e.g., Snider v. Deban,
144 N.E. 69, 71 (Mass. 1924) (adopting American Rule and explaining that "[t]he lessee
is entitled as of right under the implied covenant of the lease to enter upon and enjoy
the premises for the entire term. . . . But there is no breach of this implied covenant
when a party is in possession wrongfully holding after the expiration of a pre-existing
lease").
61 RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF PROPERTY : LANDLORD & TENNANT § 5.3
(AM. L. INST . 1977) ("[T]he remedies available to the tenant before entry, because of
the unsuitable condition of the leased property . . . , are available to him after entry if
the landlord does not correct the situation within a reasonable period of time . . . , unless
the tenant 's entry constitutes a waiver."); see also id. cmt. b ("The rule of this section
recognizes the waiver doctrine but leaves to the facts of the particular case whether the
entry justifies the conclusion that there has been a waiver.").
62 Id . cmt. c ("The tenant as matter of law is unable to waive any remedies
available to him at the time of entry, if at the time of entry it would be unsafe or
unhealthy to use the leased property in the manner contemplated by the parties.").
63 Id . cmt. e (AM. L. INST . 1977) ("If the tenant at the time of entry neither
knows nor should have known of the condition of the leased property that creates the
unsuitable condition, his entry does not constitute a waiver of any remedies.").
64 Id.
65 See, e.g., Lemle v. Breeden , 462 P.2d 470, 472-75 (Haw. 1969) (finding
material breach of implied warranties allowing tenants to rescind rental agreement when
tenants entered premises and discovered rats that evening, tenants notified landlord next
day, but landlord failed to remedy issue within three days); Claus v. Deware Enters.,
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find these authorities persuasive in their reasoning that delivery of possession of a
leased dwelling requires more than the transfer of physical possession of the premises
at the commencement of the lease term.
Dinh cites a Nebraska case, Vasquez v. Chi Properties, LLC,66 for the
proposition that " [a] tenant who accepts possession and lives on the property for several
months does not have a claim for failure to deliver possession because the duties under
[URLTA] pertain to the beginning of the lease term." The tenant in Vasquez possessed
the dwelling for six months before bringing a claim for failure to deliver possession.67
The court in Vasquez considered Nebraska's URLTA possession statutes68 and
determined that the tenant did not have a claim "because the duties described in [the
Nebraska URLTA possession statute] pertain to the 'commencement' of the lease
L.L.C., 136 P.3d 964 (table), 2006 WL 1816406, at *1, *4 (Kan. App. 2006) (finding
that landlord violated provision of URLTA requiring landlord "to initially deliver a
habitable premises at the commencement of the lease term" after tenant moved his
belongings into an apartment and discovered "over 100 cockroaches in the kitchen" on
first night); Ahlstrom v. Campbell Real Est ., LLC, 482 P.3d 17, 18, 21 (Okla. Civ. App.
2020) (holding failure to deliver possession existed when tenants entered premises and
found broken air conditioning and strong odor, tenants notified landlord that day, and
landlord failed to remedy issue within day; concluding that tenant could terminate lease
with written notice and no opportunity for landlord to cure) .
66 925 N.W.2d 304, 315 (Neb. 2019).
67 Id. at 316.
68 Nebraska's version of URLTA closely parallels Alaska's version.
Compare Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1418 (providing that "[a]t the commencement of the term
the landlord shall deliver possession of the premises to the tenant in compliance with
the rental agreement" and habitability requirements), and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1426
(providing that if landlord "fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant
as provided in section 76-1418, rent abates until possession is delivered and the tenant
shall" terminate the rental agreement upon notice or demand performance and recover
damages), with AS 34.03.090, and AS 34.03.170.
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term."69 This authority is also persuasive in reasoning that temporal constraints should
limit the tenant's ability to challenge delivery of possession to a time soon after entry.
We consider AS 34.03.170 in harmony with URLTA as a whole,
including URLTA's purpose and precedent, legislative intent, and the authorities
discussed above, and we conclude that at the commencement of the term of the lease, a
tenant's entry onto the premises ordinarily constitutes delivery of possession of the
premises under AS 34.03.090. However, a landlord does not deliver possession when
there are habitability violations under AS 34.03.100 that materially affect health or
safety and: (1) such violations are existing but unknown to the tenant upon entry; (2)
they are discovered by the tenant within a reasonable time after entry; and (3) the tenant
provides written notice of the violations to the landlord that is reasonably
contemporaneous with discovery of the violations.
Returning to the facts of this case, Clayton and Raines failed to notify
Dinh in writing of the habitability issues within a reasonable time after entering onto
the premises and thus did not preserve their claim under AS 34.03.170 that Dinh failed
to deliver possession as required by AS 34.03.090. The lease began on November 1,
2019. Clayton testified that she first smelled cigarette smoke drifting from the
unpermitted basement dwelling units "about a week into" the lease. Raines testified
that he first learned people were living below the apartment "probably [a] couple weeks
into [the lease] or a month." He also testified that he noticed insufficient hot water
beginning in November 2019. But the standing master found that Raines did not
provide written notice via a text message to Dinh until April 2020, approximately five
months after the beginning of the lease and several months after Raines claimed he
discovered the habitability violations. The superior court repeated a similar date in its
findings of fact.
69 Vasquez, 925 N.W.2d at 315.
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The lack of hot water and Dinh's employees' cigarette smoke qualified as
habitability violations materially affecting health or safety. Although the violations
were existing and unknown upon entry and discovered within a reasonable time after
entry, Clayton and Raines waited six months to report the issue to Dinh in writing.
Because of this fact, Clayton and Raines may not recover for failure to deliver
possession of the premises under AS 34.03.170. The superior court's order awarding
damages under AS 34.03.170 was thus made in error.
D. There Was No Clear Error In The Determination of Property
Damages.
The superior court awarded Dinh $178.19 for the cost of repairing door
trim, which Clayton and Raines acknowledged had been damaged by their dog. The
superior court denied Dinh damages for replacing the apartment's keys, repainting the
apartment, and patching the hole in the floor. The court also ordered Dinh to return
Clayton and Raines's security deposit. Dinh argues that the court clearly erred because
it did not find that the inspection checklist prepared by Tran was presumptive evidence
of the condition of the apartment before and after Clayton and Raines's tenancy. We
conclude that the inspection checklist did not satisfy the statutory requirements to
qualify as presumptive evidence. We thus affirm the court's denial of any additional
damages beyond the $178.19 for repairing the door trim.
A landlord may require a "premises condition statement" as part of the
rental agreement.70 Alaska Statute 34.03.020(e) defines a premises condition statement
as "setting out the condition of the premises, including fixtures . . . , and [including], if
applicable, a contents inventory itemizing or describing all of the furnishings and other
contents of the premises and specifying the condition of each of them." A premises
condition statement must be signed by the landlord and the tenant to become part of the
70 AS 34.03.020(e).
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rental agreement.71 A landlord or tenant may then use a premises condition statement
as the basis for determining whether a security deposit should be applied to damages.72
In an action initiated to recover damages under URLTA, a premises condition statement
is also "presumptive evidence of the condition of the premises" and "may be offered by
a party, without additional supporting evidence, as the basis on which to compute the
recovery of damages."73 Clear and convincing evidence of inauthenticity is required to
rebut this offering.74
Tran testified that she prepared an inspection checklist on the same day
she toured the apartment with Clayton and Raines. Tran signed the inspection checklist
on behalf of Dinh and emailed it back to Clayton and Raines. Raines testified that Tran
also provided him a blank inspection checklist, which he filled out, signed, and returned
with the first month's rent. Clayton and Raines never signed Dinh's inspection
checklist and Dinh never signed Clayton and Raines's inspection checklist. Tran's
inspection checklist thus failed to comply with AS 34.03.020(e), which requires both
the landlord's and tenant's signatures.75 Because of this deficiency, Tran's inspection
checklist did not qualify as a "premises condition statement" and did not create
presumptive evidence of damages under AS 34.03.335. Because the inspection
checklist was not presumptive evidence of damages, the superior court did not err by
71 Id. ("When signed by the landlord and tenant, the premises condition
statement and contents inventory completed under this subsection become part of the
rental agreement.").
72 AS 34.03.090(b)(1)(A)-(B).
73 AS 34.03.335 (providing that, in action to recover damages, condition
premises statement prepared under AS 34.03.020(e) is "presumptive evidence of the
condition of the premises," unless its authenticity is rebutted by clear and convincing
evidence).
74 Id.
75 See supra note 71.
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applying the preponderance of the evidence standard. The court found that "the
apartment had moisture and water damage" that caused "damage to the floor and . . .
peeling paint in the hallway." The court attributed these damages to "normal wear and
tear" and Dinh's "failure to repair."76 Because Clayton and Raines were not responsible
for these damages and because Dinh failed to provide Clayton and Raines with essential
services, the court found that Dinh was not entitled to keep Clayton and Raines's
security deposit. Evidence in the record supports these findings . Thus the court did not
err by denying Dinh's claim for property damages beyond the $178.19 for repairing the
door trim.
E. Errors In The Calculation Of Damages Require Remand.
The superior court awarded "$15,468.58 in damages for "URLTA
violations." This amount was the sum of: (1) $8,800 for diminution-in-value damages
awarded under AS 34.03.190; (2) $962.59 for electricity and $1,893.99 for heating fuel
from Dinh's employees using Clayton and Raines 's utilities; (3) $1,050 for the cost of
switching internet and cable providers; (4) $580 for moving expenses; and (5) the
returned security deposit in the amount of $2,200. We calculate the sum of these
amounts to be $15,486.58, not $15,468.58. We attribute this difference to a clearly
erroneous math or typographical mistake.77 Applying the correct calculation, we review
the basis for this award.
76 See AS 34.03.070(b)(2)(A)-(B) (excluding from damages "normal wear
and tear" and deterioration "caused by the landlord's failure to prepare for expected
conditions").
77 Burton v. Fountainhead Dev., Inc. , 393 P.3d 387, 393 (Alaska 2017), as
amended on reh'g ("[D]eciding the amount of compensatory damages is the job of the
finder of fact, whether a jury or the judge in a bench trial; as such it is subject to the
clear error standard of review.").
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The court also awarded $10,000 for willfully diminishing essential
services under AS 34.03.210 and an additional $10,000 for failure to deliver possession
under AS 34.03.170. We also review the basis for these awards.
1. It was legal error to allow double recovery of diminution in
value and award damages for moving expenses.
Dinh argues that the superior court erred by allowing double recovery of
$8,800 in diminution-in-value damages. We agree.
As we have explained above, Clayton and Raines succeeded on their
habitability counterclaim under AS 34.03.190. Therefore, it was not error to credit
$8,800 toward their unpaid rent "to reflect the diminution in value of the dwelling unit
during the period of noncompliance." The court found that the "leasehold was
diminished by the $8,800 that is owed in past rent." But the court also awarded damages
totaling $15,486.58 for "URLTA violations," which included the sum of the damages
awards for Clayton and Raines's security deposit, moving costs, costs from switching
cable and internet providers, electricity, and heating fuel plus $8,800 for diminution in
the value of the leasehold, awarded under AS 34.03.180.
The superior court allowed Clayton and Raines double recovery. The
court found the tenants did not owe Dinh $8,800 in unpaid rent that he claimed. But it
also incorporated that amount in its calculation of Clayton and Raines's URLTA
damages. The court effectively awarded Clayton and Raines twice the diminution in
value of their leasehold by crediting them for $8,800 based on their defense to Dinh's
possession claim while also including that value in their damages award. This was an
incorrect application of URLTA, amounting to a clearly erroneous miscalculation.
Dinh also argues that the superior court erred by awarding damages for
moving expenses. The court awarded $580 for Raines's moving expenses (Clayton
having moved out months earlier) . This amount included $280 that Raines spent hiring
his friend to help him move out of the apartment and $300 to move the shipping
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container after he was evicted. Dinh argues that Clayton and Raines are responsible for
moving costs because they were "validly evicted for non-payment of rent." We agree.
After the possession hearing, the master recommended awarding Dinh
possession of the apartment. The superior court adopted the master's recommendation
and ordered Clayton and Raines to leave the apartment within five days. Raines
incurred the moving costs because of the court's valid eviction order. Because Clayton
and Raines were required to vacate the apartment by law, it was error to award Raines
moving costs and we reduce the total award by $580.
In sum, the superior court erred twice in calculating damages. It was error
to double count $8,800 in diminution-in-value damages because this award caused
Clayton and Raines to recover twice on a single claim. It was also error to award $580
in damages for moving expenses because those costs were incurred as a result of a
validly obtained court-ordered eviction. We reduce the total "URLTA violations"
damages award by $9,380 and affirm the remaining $6, 106.58.
2. The award of damages under AS 34.03.210 did not have a
reasonable basis.
The superior court awarded Clayton and Raines $10,000 for "Diminished
Services" for Dinh's violation of AS 34.03.210. On appeal, Dinh argues that "even if
an 'essential service' was diminished, such as hot water, then the damages award of
$10,000 is not reasonably related to any evidence before the Court, and the Court erred
in its arbitrary award amount." We agree that the amount of this award lacks a
reasonable basis in the record.
The evidence before the superior court showed that Dinh knew the
unpermitted garage-level dwelling units drew heat and hot water from Clayton and
Raines's boiler, which caused them to incur additional heating fuel and electricity costs.
The court calculated these costs to be $962.59 for electricity and $1,893.99 for heating
fuel, totaling $2,856.58. As explained above, internet and cable television do not
qualify as "essential services" under AS 34.03.210. Even assuming the superior court
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was applying the "one and one-half times" damage multiplier per AS 34.03.210, the
award of $10,000.00 far exceeds the amount supported by the record. We reverse the
superior court's award made pursuant to AS 34.03.210 and remand with instructions
for the superior court to make an award that is supported by the record. But if the
superior court awards damages under AS 34.03.210, then an award compensating
Clayton and Raines for the same damages cannot be made under another URLTA
provision.
3. The award of damages under AS 34.03.170 was made in error,
but any damages to which Clayton and Raines are entitled may
be recouped under AS 34.03.160, provided there is no double
recovery.
Above we reverse the superior court's conclusion that Clayton and Raines
can recover for failure to deliver possession under AS 34.03.170. As a consequence,
we conclude that the court's award of $10,000 in "exemplary damages" associated with
this finding was also made in error. But because damages awarded under AS 34.03.170
and AS 34.03.160 are based on substantively similar breaches, either of the rental
agreement or of the warranty of habitability, Clayton and Raines may recover for such
breaches under AS 34.03.160.
The tenant's remedy under AS 34.03.160 has three subsections. First,
subsection .160(a) provides that a tenant may terminate the rental agreement for "a
material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance
with AS 34.03.100 materially affecting health and safety." Second, subsection .160(b)
provides that a tenant may recover damages for "any noncompliance by the landlord
with the rental agreement or AS 34.03.100." Third, subsection .160(c) provides that
damages are a remedy "in addition" to terminating the rental agreement.
Alternatively, there are two ways for a tenant to recover damages for
failure to provide possession under AS 34.03.170. First, under subsection .170(a)(2),
if the tenant "demand[s] performance of the rental agreement by the landlord," the
tenant may maintain an action for possession against "the landlord or any person
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wrongfully in possession and recover the damages sustained." Second, under
subsection .170(b), the tenant may recover "one and one-half times the actual damages"
if "a person's failure to deliver possession is wilful and not in good faith."
The Restatement (Second) of Property states that a tenant "is entitled to
recover damages from the landlord for his failure to fulfill his obligations under the
lease . . . so long as no double recovery is involved."78 If a tenant is able to prove
damages, it does not matter whether the tenant proceeds under AS 34.03.170 for the
landlord's failure to deliver possession or under AS 34.03.160 for the landlord's general
noncompliance with applicable law. Both remedies ultimately have the same source :
a violation of either the rental agreement or the warranty of habitability under
AS 34.03.100.79
But recovery of damages under one remedy precludes recovery under the
other. The only difference is that the general remedy under AS 34.03.160 applies to
breaches after commencement of the lease and the specific remedy under AS 34.03.170
applies only to breaches at the commencement of the lease, corresponding to the
landlord's obligation to deliver possession of habitable premises.
The award made pursuant to AS 34.03.170 was error. On remand,
Clayton and Raines may recover damages for habitability violations under
78 RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF PROPERTY : LANDLORD & TENNANT § 10.2
(AM. L. INST . 1977) (providing that a tenant may recover: (1) fair market value of the
lease; (2) loss sustained due to reasonably foreseeable expenditures; (3) relocation
costs; (4) cost of substitute premises; (5) reasonably foreseeable anticipated profits, if
the parties' contemplated use of the premises is for business purposes ; (6) costs of
eliminating the default; and (6) interest).
79 Compare AS 34.03.160, with AS 34.03.170 (referencing landlord's
obligation to deliver possession under AS 34.03.090, which requires delivery of the
premises at commencement of the lease term in compliance with rental agreement and
AS 34.03.100).
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AS 34.03.160 provided any amount is supported by the record and there is no double
recovery under AS 34.03.210 or any other URLTA provisions.
CONCLUSION
We AFFIRM the superior court's findings as to habitability violations .
We REVERSE the superior court's award of damages to the extent that it results in
double recovery of diminution-in-value damages and to the extent that it allows
recovery for moving expenses.
We AFFIRM the award of "URLTA violations" damages in the amount
of $6,106.58 and REVERSE as to the remaining $9,380.
We AFFIRM the superior court's finding as to willful diminution of
essential services for heat, hot water, and electricity, but we REVERSE the superior
court's conclusion that internet and cable are essential services. We VACATE the
damages award of $10,000.00 for willful diminution and REMAND for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
We REVERSE the superior court's findings as to failure to deliver
possession, VACATE the award of $10,000 made in connection with this finding, and
REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion .
We AFFIRM the superior court's findings as to property damages to the
leased premises.
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