Judge Katherine Chilton, Case 22STCP01252 2022-08-12 Tentative Ruling

Judge: Katherine Chilton, Case: 22STCP01252, Date: 2022-08-12 Tentative Ruling

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Case Number: 22STCP01252 Hearing Date: August 12, 2022 Dept: 25

PROCEEDINGS: PETITION TO RELEASE PROPERTY FROM MECHANIC’S LIEN

MOVING PARTY: Petitioners David Oh and Amelia Oh

RESP. PARTY: None

PETITION TO RELEASE PROPERTY FROM MECHANIC’S LIEN

(Civ. Code § 8480, et seq.)

TENTATIVE RULING:

Petitioners David and Amelia Oh’s Petition to Release Property from Mechanic’s Lien is GRANTED.

SERVICE:

[X] Proof of Service Timely Filed (CRC, rule 3.1300) OK

[X] Correct Address (CCP §§ 1013, 1013a) OK

[X] At least 15 Days Lapsed (Civ. Code § 8486(b)) OK

[X] Correct Manner of Service (Civ. Code § 8486(b)) OK

OPPOSITION: None filed as of August 10, 2022 [ ] Late [X] None

REPLY: None filed as of August 10, 2022 [ ] Late [X] None

ANALYSIS:

I. Background

On April 8, 2022, Petitioners David and Amelia Oh (“Petitioners”) filed the instant verified Petition for Release of Property from Mechanic’s Lien (the “Petition”) against Respondent The Point H Corp (“Respondent”). The Petition seeks an order releasing property commonly known as 329 Elm Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506 (the “Property”) from a mechanic’s lien filed on July 12, 2021, by Respondent. (Pet. p. 3.)

Petitioners filed a Proof of Service demonstrating Respondent was served by certified mail, with return receipt requested, with the Petition, Notice of Hearing, and other case documents, on April 11, 2022, at 3310 S. Peak Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731. (4-11-22 Proof of Service.)

Respondent did not file a response.

II. Legal Standard

After a mechanic’s lien has been recorded, “[t]he owner of property or the owner of any interest in property subject to a claim of lien may petition the court for an order to release the property from the claim of lien if the claimant has not commenced an action to enforce the lien within the time provided in Section 8460.” (Civ. Code, § 8480(a).) A claimant must commence an action to enforce a lien within 90 days of recording the lien, otherwise, “the claim of lien expires and is unenforceable.” (Civ. Code, § 8460(a).) However, the 90-day time limit to commence an action to enforce a lien does not apply if there was an agreement to extend credit and a notice of that fact was recorded within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien or more than 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien but before a purchaser or encumbrancer for value and in good faith acquires rights in the property. (Civ. Code, § 8460(b).)

Civil Code § 8484 requires that the petition for release order be verified by the petitioner and allege the following:

(a) The date of recordation of the claim of lien. A certified copy of the claim of lien shall be attached to the petition.

(b) The county in which the claim of lien is recorded.

(d) The legal description of the property subject to the claim of lien.

(e) Whether an extension of credit has been granted under Section 8460, if so to what date, and that the time for commencement of an action to enforce the lien has expired.

(f) That the owner has given the claimant notice under Section 8482 demanding that the claimant execute and record a release of the lien and that the claimant is unable or unwilling to do so or cannot with reasonable diligence be found.

(g) Whether an action to enforce the lien is pending.

(h) Whether the owner of the property or interest in the property has filed for relief in bankruptcy or there is another restraint that prevents the claimant from commencing an action to enforce the lien.

A property owner may not petition for a release order until he or she gives the claimant notice demanding that the claimant execute and record a release of lien claim at least ten days before filing the petition. (Civ. Code § 8482.)

III. Discussion

A. Service Requirements

“The petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition and a notice of hearing on the claimant at least 15 days before the hearing. Service shall be made in the same manner as service of summons, or by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the claimant as provided in Section 8108.” (Civ. Code § 8486(b).) Civil Code § 8108 provides addresses at which a respondent must be served, depending on the title of the person to be served. For example, a claimant should be served at the address on the “claimant’s contract, preliminary notice, claim of lien, stop payment notice…or on the records of the Contractors’ State License Board.” (Civ. Code § 8108(e).) The petitioner bears the burden of proving that he or she complied with service and date for hearing requirements. (Civ. Code. § 8488(a).)

Respondent was served with Petition, Notice of Hearing, and other case documents, on April 11, 2022, at 3310 S Peak Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731, via certified mail with return receipt requested. (4-11-22 Proof of Service.). Petitioner states that “[t]his is the address shown in the records of Contractors State License Board” and attaches proof from the Contractors State License Board website. (Pet. p. 5; Ho-El Decl. ¶¶ 3-5, p. 3.)

The Court finds that the service requirements of Civil Code § 8486 have been satisfied.

B. Petition Requirements

On December 29, 2021, Petitioner sent Respondent a written demand to remove the lien to Respondent’s address listed with the Contractors State License Board. (Oh Decl. ¶ 7; Ex. 3.) Petitioner contends that “Respondent is unwilling to sign a release of its Lien.” (Ibid. ¶ 8.) Subsequently, Petitioner filed the instant verified Petition accompanied by a certified copy of the Claim of Mechanic’s Lien, Document No. 20211071194, filed with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office on July 12, 2021. (Pet.; Verification; Oh Decl. ¶ 5 - Ex. 2.) The Petition sets forth the legal description of the Subject Property and states that “[n]o action has been filed to foreclose the Lien and no extension of credit has been recorded.” (Oh Decl. ¶¶ 4, 6; Ex. 1.) Furthermore, “the time period during which suit can be filed to foreclose the Lien has expired.” (Ibid. at ¶ 6.) Petitioner has not filed for bankruptcy, and no other restraint exists preventing Respondent from filing an action to enforce the lien. (Ibid. ¶ 9.)

The Court finds that Petitioners have satisfied all requirements of filing the instant Petition and GRANTS the Petition.

Petitioner requests attorney’s fees and costs associated with filing the Petition. Pursuant to Civil Code § 8488(c), “[t]he prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees.” Since the Petition is granted, Petitioner is deemed to be the prevailing party. Attorney’s fees under Civil Code § 8488 may be sought pursuant to a noticed motion.

IV. Conclusion & Order

For the foregoing reasons, Petitioners David and Amelia Oh’s Petition to Release Property from Mechanic’s Lien is GRANTED.

Moving parties are ordered to give notice.