Hendricks v. Stark

37 N.Y. 121 | NY | 1867

Porter, J.

Upon the facts found by the judge, the plaintiffs are clearly entitled to the relief demanded in the complaint and awarded in the court below. As trustees under the testator’s will, they were the proprietors of the premises known as the “ Collins’ Hotel.” These premises extended, in fact as well as in law, to the central lines of the respective party-walls, which substantially corresponded with the specified dimensions of the lot, and with its eastern and southern boundaries. (Eno v. Del Vecchio, 4 Duer 61; Sherred v. * Cisco, 1 Sandf. 480; Thompson v. Somerville, 16 Barb. 473; Partridge v. Gilbert, 15 N. Y. 614.) There was no assertion of title beyond these lines, either in the notice of sale, or in the contract signed by the defendant.

The practice of economizing space in populous cities, by the erection of buildings with party-walls, is one so ancient that it would be difficult to trace its origin. The law applicable to this subject has been for centuries well settled in England, and the prevalence of a like usage in our larger towns, has made the rules which govern it equally familiar here.

There was nothing in the description of the premises in question as the “Collins’ Hotel” which imported, ex vi termini, that the walls were of this, or of a different character. The failure of the defendant to inform himself on a subject, as to which the notice of sale was silent, indicates his indifference as to the particular character of the walls, and shows that he was content to buy, without being at the trouble of examination or inquiry. This omission may be evidence of his own indiscretion and incaution, but it cannot be imputed as a wrong to the plaintiffs, who neither said or did anything to mislead him. The auctioneer was not authorized to dispose of the whole or any portion of the structures on the adjacent premises, and the defendant cannot justly complain, that the plaintiffs were not the owners of that which they did not assume to sell, and which was not included in his purchase.

As the title acquired by the defendant extended only to the middle of the eastern and southern party-walls, it is obvious, that the mutual easement for their support was a benefit, and not a burden, to him as well as the adjacent proprietors. It was a valuable appurtenance, which passed with the title of the property, and its value to him was not diminished by the fact that it was equally beneficial to the adjacent owners. (Eno v. Del Vecchio, 4 Duer 53.) It is manifest, that the Collins’ Hotel would be materially diminished in value, if these walls were to be so pared down as to deprive them of Presen^ support. Their thickness does *n'ot appear, but it is fair to assume, that the builder availed himself of the advantage of this mode of construction, by adding as much to the interior area of the structure as was consistent with its entire security.

It is true, that the erection of a party-wall creates a community of interest between neighboring proprietors, but there is no just sense in which the reciprocal easement for its preservation can be deemed a legal incumbrance upon the property. The benefit thus secured to each is not converted into a burden, by the mere fact that it is mutual and not exclusive. (Partridge v. Gilbert, 15 N. Y. 601.)

Even if this were otherwise, there would still be nothing in the present ease to justify the court in refusing a decree in favor of the plaintiffs. There was no failure of any substantial inducement to the contract. The defendant acquired what he proposed to buy; and he was so well satisfied with the purchase, that, after full opportunity of examination, he appfoved the form of the proposed conveyance, and executed a bond and mortgage for the balance of the price. Even when he concluded not to fulfil his contract, he did not suggest the objection on which he now rests his defence. The plaintiffs tendered substantial performance of their agreement; and if the defendant really deemed it desirable to fill up part of the interior of the building with an additional thickness of wall, standing wholly on his own ground, an appropriate allowance could have been made by way of compensation. But he made no such claim; and there is no finding, as matter of fact, that the value of the premises is in any degree diminished by the reciprocal easement of which he complains. In such a case, a denial of specific performance would be in contravention of the plainest rules of equity. (Winne v. Reynolds, 6 Paige 407; King v. Bardeau, 6 Johns. Ch. 37; Ten Broeck v. Livingston, 1 Id. 357.) The judgment should be affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.