Kitajima v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems CA2/3

Filed 5/24/13 Kitajima v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems CA2/3
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION THREE
OSAMU KITAJIMA et al., B236915
Plaintiffs and Appellants, (Los Angeles County
Super. Ct. No. LC092283)
v.
MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC
REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., et al.,
Defendants and Respondents.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County,
Michael B. Harwin, Judge. Affirmed.
Law Office of Nick A. Alden and Nick A. Alden for Plaintiffs and Appellants.
Dykema Gossett, Brian H. Newman and Vivian S. Lee for Defendants and
Respondents.
_____________________
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiffs and appellants Doctor Osamu Kitajima and Yoko Kitajima appeal a
judgment of dismissal entered after the trial court sustained the demurrer of defendants
and respondents Deutsche Bank National Trust Company (Deutsche Bank), First
Franklin, a division of National City Bank of Indiana (First Franklin) and Mortgage
Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) to plaintiffs‟ first amended complaint
(FAC) without leave to amend. The gravamen of the FAC is that defendants commenced
and conducted nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings on plaintiffs‟ residential real property
in Woodland Hills (the property) in violation of certain statutes and in breach of the deed
of trust plaintiffs executed. We shall reject all of plaintiffs‟ arguments and affirm the
judgment.
FACTS1
Plaintiffs acquired the property in 1990. In March 2006, using the property as
collateral, plaintiffs obtained a $632,000 loan from First Franklin. The loan was
memorialized by a promissory note and secured by a deed of trust. The deed of trust
named First Franklin as the “Lender,” plaintiffs as the “Borrower,” and Financial Title
Company as the “Trustee.” MERS was identified as the “nominee for Lender and
Lender‟s successors and assigns,” as well as the “beneficiary” under the security
instrument.
The deed of trust further provided: “Borrower understands and agrees that MERS
holds only legal title to the interests granted by Borrower in this Security Instrument, but,
if necessary to comply with law or custom, MERS (as nominee for Lender and Lender‟s
1
Because the principal issue on appeal is whether the trial court erroneously
sustained the defendants‟ demurrer to the FAC, our summary of the relevant facts
assumes the factual allegations in the FAC are true, but we do not assume the truth of the
FAC‟s contentions, deductions or conclusions of law. (Bower v. AT&T Mobility, LLC
(2011) 196 Cal.App.4th 1545, 1552 (Bower).) Many of the facts in our summary are
based on documents recorded in the Los Angeles County Recorder‟s office and attached
to the FAC. Generally, to the extent there is a conflict in the facts alleged in the body of
the FAC and the attached exhibits, the exhibits take precedence. (Tucker v. Pacific Bell
Mobile Services (2012) 208 Cal.App.4th 201, 210 (Tucker).)
2
successors and assigns) has the right to exercise any or all of those interests, including,
but not limited to, the right to foreclose and sell the Property, and to take any action
required of Lender including, but not limited to, releasing and canceling this Security
Instrument.”
The deed of trust also contained this statement about the promissory note plaintiffs
executed in First Franklin‟s favor: “The Note or a partial interest in the Note (together
with this Security Instrument) can be sold one or more times without prior notice to
Borrower. A sale might result in a change in the entity (known as the „Loan Servicer‟)
that collects Periodic Payments due under the Note and this Security Instrument and
performs other mortgage loan servicing obligations under the Note, this Security
Instrument, and Applicable law.”
Additionally, the deed of trust provided: “Lender, at its option, may from time to
time appoint a successor trustee to any Trustee appointed hereunder by an instrument
executed and acknowledged by Lender and recorded in the office of the Recorder of the
county in which the Property is located.”
In August 2009, MERS executed and recorded an assignment of deed of trust.
This document assigned First Franklin‟s interest in the deed of trust and promissory note 2
to Deutsche Bank, as Trustee for First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-FF9,
Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-FF9 (the Trust).
2
The language in this document regarding the assignment of the promissory note is
not a model of clarity. After identifying the deed of trust by date and instrument number
of the Los Angeles County Recorder‟s Office, the assignment of deed of trust states that
“Assignor [First Franklin] hereby assigns unto the above named Assignee [Deutsche
Bank, as trustee of the Trust], the said Deed of Trust . . . . [¶] To Have and to Hold the
said Deed of Trust and Note . . . forever, subject to the terms contained in said Deed of
Trust and Note.” Although the term “Note” is not defined in the assignment of deed of
trust, it is defined in the referenced deed of trust as the $632,000 promissory note
executed by plaintiffs. Further, the assignment of deed of trust refers to the “Deed of
Trust Having an original principal sum of [$632,000].” In our view, the only reasonable
reading of the assignment of deed of trust is that it conveyed First Franklin‟s interest in
both the deed of trust and promissory note to Deutsche Bank.
3
On March 22, 2010, T.D. Service Company recorded a notice of default and
election to sell under deed of trust (notice of default). This document stated that plaintiffs
were in default of their obligations under the promissory note, that they owed Deutsche
Bank $59,202.65 as of March 26, 2010, and that in order to arrange for payment to stop
nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings pursuant to the deed of trust, plaintiffs could contact
Deutsche Bank at a certain address and telephone number.
Attached to the notice of default was a notice of default declaration executed by an
employee of Home Loan Services, Inc., the “authorized agent for the mortgagee and/or
beneficiary.” This notice stated that the borrower was not contacted pursuant to Civil
Code section 2923.5, subdivision (a)(2) “despite the due diligence” of the authorized
agent. We shall discuss this notice in more detail post.
On May 4, 2010, Home Loan Services, Inc., “as servicer” for Deutsche Bank,
recorded a substitution of trustee, naming T.D. Service Company as the trustee of the
deed of trust in lieu of Financial Title Company. This document was executed on March
29, 2010, which is after the notice of default was recorded by T.D. Service Company.
On June 23, 2010, T.D. Service Company, as trustee of the deed of trust, recorded
a notice of trustee‟s sale. This notice stated that plaintiffs were in default and that T.D.
Service Company would hold a public auction of the property on July 13, 2010.
Subsequently, the sale was postponed to January 14, 2011.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On December 30, 2010, plaintiffs commenced this action by filing a complaint in
superior court against T.D. Servicing Company3 and Deutsche Bank, as trustee of the
Trust. On the same day, plaintiffs filed an ex parte application for an order to show cause
(OSC) regarding a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order (TRO)
prohibiting the pending trustee‟s sale of plaintiffs‟ property. The trial court issued the
TRO and an OSC, and scheduled a hearing on January 20, 2011. Plaintiffs‟ counsel,
3
T.D. Servicing Company is not a party to this appeal.
4
however, inadvertently did not appear for the January 20, 2011, OSC hearing.
Consequently, the TRO was dissolved.
On January 28, 2011, plaintiffs filed another ex parte application for an OSC
regarding a preliminary injunction and a TRO. The trial court issued the TRO and an
OSC, setting a hearing for February 15, 2011. This hearing, however, did not take place
because on February 14, 2011, the parties filed a stipulation and proposed order regarding
the nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings. Under the stipulation, plaintiffs agreed to not
seek a preliminary injunction and requested the trial court to dissolve the TRO.
Defendants agreed that “pending the outcome of this case, they will not take any step to
foreclose on the property.” The trial court entered an order adopting the stipulation.
On February 28, 2011, Deutsche Bank and T.D. Service Company filed a
demurrer to the complaint. Before a hearing on the demurrer was held, plaintiffs filed the
FAC against MERS, Deutsche Bank, First Franklin and T.D. Service Company. The
FAC purported to set forth causes of action for breach of contract, violation of statutory
duties, unfair business practices and quiet title.
On June 24, 2011, Deutsche Bank, First Franklin and MERS filed a demurrer to
the FAC on the ground that the pleading failed to state sufficient facts to constitute a
cause of action. The trial court sustained the demurrer without leave to amend on August
12, 2011, and then entered a judgment of dismissal in favor of the demurring parties on
August 25, 2011. Plaintiffs filed a timely notice of appeal of the judgment of dismissal.
ISSUE
The issue in this case is whether the trial court erroneously sustained defendants‟
demurrer to plaintiffs‟ FAC without leave to amend and, if so, whether the court
committed reversible error.
DISCUSSION
1. Standard of Review
We review an order sustaining a general demurrer de novo to determine whether
the pleading alleges facts sufficient to state a cause of action. (SC Manufactured Homes,
Inc. v. Liebert (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 68, 82.) “Regardless of the label attached to the
5
cause of action, we examine the complaint‟s factual allegations to determine whether
they state a cause of action on any available legal theory.” (Doe v. Doe 1 (2012)
208 Cal.App.4th 1185, 1188; accord Bower, supra, 196 Cal.App.4th at p. 1552.)
“ „ “We assume the truth of the properly pleaded factual allegations, facts that
reasonably can be inferred from those expressly pleaded, and facts of which judicial
notice can be taken. [Citation.] We construe the pleading in a reasonable manner and
read the allegations in context. [Citation.]” ‟ [Citation.] However, we need not accept as
true plaintiff‟s contentions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law.” (Maxton v.
Western States Metals (2012) 203 Cal.App.4th 81, 87 (Maxton).)
Additionally, if we conclude that the trial court erred, we cannot reverse the
judgment unless plaintiffs show that the error was prejudicial. (Century Surety Co. v.
Polisso (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 922, 963 (Century).) “[W]e cannot presume prejudice
and will not reverse the judgment in the absence of an affirmative showing there was a
miscarriage of justice. (Cal. Const. art. VI, § 13; [Citations].)” (Century, at p. 963;
accord (Kyne v. Eustice (1963) 215 Cal.App.2d 627, 635 [requiring affirmative showing
of miscarriage of justice to reverse order sustaining a demurrer].)
2. Breach of Contract
The first cause of action in the FAC is for breach of contract. The elements of a
breach of contract cause of action are (1) the existence of the contract, (2) plaintiff‟s
performance or excuse for nonperformance, (3) defendant‟s breach, and (4) the resulting
damages to plaintiff. (Armstrong Petroleum Corp. v. Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co. (2004)
116 Cal.App.4th 1375, 1391, fn. 6.)
The FAC clearly sets forth facts showing the existence of a contract, namely the
deed of trust. The FAC also alleges that plaintiffs “performed all conditions, covenants,
and promises” required by the contract. Defendants argue that this allegation is “plainly
false” as plaintiffs “admittedly stopped paying their mortgage loan years ago.” Nothing
in the body of the FAC, however, states that plaintiffs breached the contract by failing to
6
make the payments due under the promissory note.4 At this stage in the proceedings, we
must accept the factual allegations in the FAC as true, however improbable they may be.
(Berg & Berg Enterprises, LLC v. Boyle (2009) 178 Cal.App.4th 1020, 1034.)
Defendants argue plaintiffs cannot claim they were in full compliance with their
obligations under the promissory note because the notice of default, which is attached to
the FAC, indicates that plaintiffs were in default and that there was a balance due in the
amount of $59,202.65, as of March 26, 2010. As a general rule, when there is a conflict
between the facts alleged in the body of the complaint and the facts stated in an exhibit
attached to the complaint, the facts in the exhibit take precedence. (Tucker, supra,
208 Cal.App.4th at p. 210.) Under this rule, the plaintiff cannot contradict the plain
meaning of words of an attached document. (See e.g. Dodd v. Citizens Bank of Costa
Mesa (1990) 222 Cal.App.3d 1624, 1627 [the court held that a signature card for bank
account shows plaintiff‟s corporation, not plaintiff individually, was the customer].)
The FAC, for example, states that Commonwealth Land Title (Commonwealth)
was the trustee named in the March 13, 2006, deed of trust attached to the FAC. The
attached deed of trust, however, states that Financial Title Company was the original
trustee. We assume for purposes of defendants‟ demurrer, that the trustee was Financial
Title Company, not Commonwealth. This is because where, as here, the language of a
writing is unambiguous, its interpretation is an issue of law determined by the court.
(Iglesia Evangelica Latina, Inc. v. Southern Pacific Latin American Dist. of the
Assemblies of God (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 420, 432-433.)
4
We note that the nothing in the deed of trust requires plaintiffs to make payments
to a lender. That obligation arises from the promissory note, which is not the “contract”
plaintiffs base this cause of action upon. The two agreements, however, form parts of
one transaction and must be read and construed together. (Kerivan v. Title Ins. & Trust
Co. (1983) 147 Cal.App.3d 225, 230; Civ. Code, § 1642.)
7
The statement in the notice of default that plaintiffs were in default of their
obligations under the promissory note is different. Although it cannot be disputed what
the document states, the document does not conclusively establish that plaintiffs were in
breach of their contract at the time the notice of default was recorded. At the pleading
stage, in light of FAC‟s statement that plaintiffs performed all of their obligations under
the contract, we must assume that T.D. Service Company claimed that plaintiffs were in
default, and that plaintiffs denied that claim.5
We now turn to the third element of this cause of action—defendants‟ breach of
the contract. The FAC states: “In breach of the terms of the Deed of Trust, [T.D. Service
Company], as agent for the beneficiary, recorded a Notice of Default before it was duly
appointed as Trustee.” This is the sole purported breach of the contract contained in the
FAC.
The FAC does not state sufficient facts to constitute a breach of contract cause of
action against MERS. Under the plain terms of the deed of trust, MERS is a separate
corporation and the nominee the Lender, which in essence means an agent of the Lender.
(Fontenot, supra, 198 Cal.App.4th at p. 270.) MERS had no power to act in its own
right. (Ibid.) There are no facts alleged in the FAC indicating that T.D. Service
Company was an agent of MERS. Accordingly, T.D. Service Company‟s act of
recording the notice of default cannot serve as the basis for holding MERS liable for
breach of contract.
5
Because the notice of default was recorded in the official records of the County of
Los Angeles, we can take judicial notice of the fact that it was recorded, the date it was
recorded and executed, the parties reflected in the document, and the document‟s legally
operative language, assuming there is no genuine dispute regarding the document‟s
authenticity. (Fontenot v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (2011) 198 Cal.App.4th 256, 265
(Fontenot).) We cannot, however, take judicial notice of the truth of statements of fact
recited within the document. (Id. at p. 265, citing Poseidon Development, Inc. v.
Woodland Lane Estates, LLC (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 1106, 1117-1118.) Accordingly,
we cannot take judicial notice of the truth of the statement that plaintiffs were in default
at the time the notice of default was recorded.
8
As the trustee of the deed of trust, T.D. Service Company acted as a limited
common agent for the plaintiffs, as trustors, on the one hand, and First Franklin or
Deutsche Bank, as the beneficiary, on the other.6 (Vournas v. Fidelity Nat. Tit. Ins. Co.
(1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 668, 677.) Under this agency relationship, T.D. Service
Company‟s duties were: “(1) upon default [of the trustors] to undertake the steps
necessary to foreclose the deed of trust; or (2) upon satisfaction of the secured debt to
reconvey the deed of trust.” (Ibid.)
As T.D. Service Company‟s alleged principal, First Franklin or Deutche Bank, can
be held vicariously liable for T.D. Service Company‟s acts within the scope of its agency.
(Civ. Code, § 2330.) The FAC, however, does not allege any facts indicating that T.D.
Service Company breached the terms of the deed of trust.
Plaintiffs argue that defendants breached paragraph 24 of the deed of trust, which
provides that “Lender, at its option, may from time to time appoint a successor trustee to
any Trustee appointed hereunder . . . .” (Italics added.) By appointing T.D. Service
Company as a successor trustee when it did, First Franklin or Deutsche Bank did not
breach the terms of paragraph 24.
Plaintiffs also argue that defendants breached paragraph 22 of the deed of trust,
which provides: “If Lender invokes the power of sale, Lender shall execute or cause
Trustee to mail a written notice of the occurrence of an event of default and of Lender‟s
election to cause the Property to be sold. Trustee shall cause this notice to be recorded in
each county in which any part of the Property is located.” By recording the notice of
default on March 22, 2010, T.D. Service Company and its principal did not breach
paragraph 22.
6
Obviously, at the time T.D. Service Company recorded the notice of default, it
was not acting as a limited agent for both First Franklin and Deutsche Bank, because
Deutsche bank is the alleged assignee and successor of First Franklin.
9
T.D. Service Company‟s act of recording the notice of default before it was duly
appointed as the trustee was not a breach of any of the terms of the deed of trust. The
FAC thus fails to state sufficient facts to constitute a cause of action for breach of
contract.
Our analysis of the facts in the first cause of action, however, does not end with
this conclusion. The question we must determine is whether T.D. Service Company‟s act
of recording a notice of default before it was appointed a trustee supports any cause of
action, regardless of whether the FAC mislabeled it.
“California‟s nonjudicial foreclosure scheme is set forth in Civil Code sections
2924 through 2924k, which „provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of a
nonjudicial foreclosure sale pursuant to a power of sale contained in a deed of trust.‟ ”
(Gomes v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 1149, 1154.) This
statutory scheme contemplates precisely the situation presented here. Civil Code section
2934a, subdivision (c) provides: “If the substitution [of trustee] is effected after a notice
of default has been recorded but prior to the recording of the notice of sale, the
beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause a copy of the
substitution to be mailed, prior to, or concurrently with, the recording thereof, in the
manner provided in Section 2924b, to the trustee then of record and to all persons to
whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of
Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been
given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.”
The substitution of trustee in this case was recorded on May 4, 2010. This was
after the notice of default was recorded but prior to the recording of the notice of trustee‟s
sale, which occurred on June 23, 2010. Thus if defendants or their authorized agents
timely mailed a copy of the substitution in the manner provided in Civil Code section
2924b, they fully complied with their statutory duties. The FAC does not allege any facts
indicating that defendants breached the requirements of Civil Code section 2934a,
subdivision (c). Accordingly, the FAC fails to state a cause of action based on T.D.
10
Service Company‟s act of recording the notice of default before it was duly appointed the
trustee of the deed of trust. 7
3. Violation of Statutory Duties
The second cause of action in the FAC is for violation of statutory duties. The
FAC alleges that defendants violated two provisions of the statutory scheme governing
nonjudicial foreclosures, namely former Civil Code section 2923.5, subdivision (a)(1)
and Civil Code section 2924f, subdivision (b)(3).8
a. Former Civil Code Section 2923.5, Subdivision (a)(1)
Former Civil Code section 2923.5, subdivision (a)(1), which was applicable at the
time the notice of default in this case was recorded, provided: “A mortgagee, trustee,
beneficiary, or authorized agent may not file a notice of default pursuant to Section 2924
until 30 days after initial contact is made as required by paragraph (2) [9] or 30 days after
7
In Fontenot and Calvo v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (2011) 199 Cal.App.4th
118 (Calvo), the successor trustee of the deed of trust recorded a notice of default before
it was duly appointed successor trustee. (Fontenot, supra, 198 Cal.App.4th at p. 263;
Calvo, at p. 121.) In both cases, the Court of Appeal concluded that the trial court
properly entered a judgment of dismissal after it sustained the defendants‟ demurrers
without leave to amend. (Fontenot, at p. 260; Calvo, at p. 120.)
8
Additionally, the FAC alleges that defendants violated former Civil Code sections
2923.52 and 2929.53. Plaintiffs, however, make no arguments on appeal regarding these
statutes, and thus forfeited any arguments relating to them. (Paterno v. State of
California (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 68, 106 (Paterno) [“An appellate court is not required
to examine undeveloped claims, nor to make arguments for parties”]; Antounian v. Louis
Vuitton Malletier (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 438, 455 (Antounian) [“an argument not raised
in the opening brief is forfeited on appeal”].) In any case, former Civil Code sections
2923.52 and 2923.53 do not provide for a private right of action. (Vuki v. Superior Court
(2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 791, 794 (Vuki).)
9
Former Civil Code section 2923.5, subdivision (a)(2) stated: “A mortgagee,
beneficiary, or authorized agent shall contact the borrower in person or by telephone in
order to assess the borrower‟s financial situation and explore options for the borrower to
avoid foreclosure.” (Stats. 2009, ch. 43, § 1.) The current statutes replaces “mortgagee,
beneficiary, or authorized agent” with the term “mortgage servicer.” (Stats. 2012, ch. 86,
§ 4.)
11
satisfying the due diligence requirements as described in subdivision (g).”10 (Stats. 2009,
ch. 43, § 1; italics added.) A trustor (borrower) can maintain a private cause of action for
a violation of former Civil Code section 2923.5, but the trustor‟s remedy is limited to
obtaining a postponement of an impending foreclosure to permit the lender to comply
with the statute. (Mabry v. Superior Court (2010) 185 Cal.App.4th 208, 214.)
The FAC alleges: “No one ever contacted Plaintiffs to discuss his financial
situation and/or explore options to avoid foreclosure in the 30 days that preceded the
recording of the Notice of Default.” Plaintiffs contend that this factual allegation is
sufficient to state a cause of action for violation of former Civil Code section 2923.5,
subdivision (a)(1). We disagree.
The FAC does not allege that defendants failed to use “due diligence” to contact
plaintiffs. Although plaintiffs claim in their opening brief that defendants failed “to ever
call” plaintiffs, there is no such allegation in the FAC. The FAC merely alleges that
“[n]o one every contacted Plaintiffs.” Further, the FAC indicates that defendants in fact
used due diligence. Attached to the FAC is a copy of the notice of default declaration
executed by Home Loan Services, Inc., as the authorized agent for the beneficiary of the
deed of trust. This declaration states facts that, if true, indicate defendants complied with
the due diligence requirements of former Civil Code section 2923.5.11
10
Former Civil Code section 2923.5, subdivision (g) provided: “A notice of default
may be filed pursuant to Section 2924 when a mortgagee, beneficiary or authorized agent
has not contacted a borrower as required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) provided that
the failure to contact the borrower occurred despite the due diligence of the mortgagee,
beneficiary or authorized agent.” (Stats. 2009, ch. 43, § 1.) This subdivision also
described in detail what constitutes “due diligence” for purposes of the statute. The same
material provisions are now found in Civil Code section 2923.5, subdivision (e). (See
Stats. 2012, ch. 86, § 4.)
11
The declaration states: “Contact with the borrower pursuant to California Civil
Code Section 2923.5(a)(2) has not been made despite the due diligence of the authorized
agent pursuant to California Civil Code section 2923.5(g), including (a) Mailing a first-
class letter to the borrower(s) which included a toll free number to contact a HUD-
certified housing counseling agency; (b) Attempting to contact the borrower(s) by
telephone at the primary telephone number on file at least three times at different hours
12
The FAC does not allege that the facts stated in the declaration are untrue or that
defendants failed to use due diligence in attempting to contact them. By merely alleging
defendants did not contact them without alleging that defendants did not exercise due
diligence in attempting to do so, the FAC does not state sufficient facts to constitute a
cause of action under former Civil Code section 2923.5, subdivision (a)(1).
b. Civil Code Section 2924f, Subdivision (b)(3)
Civil Code section 2929f provides that before a nonjudicial foreclosure sale
pursuant to a deed of trust can take place, at least 20 days before the date of sale, a notice
of sale containing certain information must be posted in a conspicuous place on the
property to be sold. (Civ. Code, § 2929f, subd. (b)(3).) The FAC alleges that T.D.
Service Company failed to comply with the requirements of Civil Code section 2924f “by
failing to give notice to the Plaintiff or post notice of Trustee‟s Sale on the property.”
The FAC seeks a declaration that in light of defendants‟ violation of Civil Code section
2924f, the notice of trustee‟s sale is “null and void.”12
By August 2011, when the trial court held a hearing on defendants‟ demurrer to
the FAC, plaintiffs‟ claim for declaratory relief was moot. At that time, there was no
pending trustee‟s sale pursuant to the notice of trustee‟s sale recorded on June 23, 2010,
or otherwise.
on different days or determining that the primary and secondary phone numbers on file
were disconnected; and (c) Having received no response from the borrower(s) via
certified mail, with return receipt requested.”
12
The FAC also alleges that as a result of defendants‟ alleged violation of Civil
Code section 2924f, plaintiffs suffered damages, including “severe emotional distress.”
Plaintiffs, however, did not provide any argument or legal authority to support this
allegation in their appellate briefs. They have thus forfeited any argument that the
demurrer should have been overruled based this allegation. Paterno, supra,
74 Cal.App.4th at p. 106; Antounian, supra, 189 Cal.App.4th at p. 455.)
13
Moreover, defendants could no longer conduct a trustee‟s sale pursuant to the
notice of trustee‟s sale recorded on June 23, 2010. Under Civil Code section 2924g,
subdivision (c)(1), a trustee‟s sale can be postponed “at any time prior to the completion
of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth
in the notice of sale.” The notice of trustee‟s sale in this case scheduled the trustee‟s sale
on July 13, 2010. Thus by August 2011, defendants were required to record a new notice
of sale in order to complete a nonjudicial foreclosure of plaintiffs‟ property. (Civ. Code,
§ 2924g, subd. (c)(2)[“In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or
periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall
be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f”].)
By the time the trial court heard the demurrer, a judicial declaration regarding
whether defendants complied with Civil Code section 2924f by posting the notice of
trustee‟s sale on plaintiffs‟ property was an issue of no legal consequence. The trial court
therefore correctly sustained defendants‟ demurrer to the FAC to the extent it was based
on defendants‟ alleged violation of Civil Code section 2924f.
c. Civil Code Section 2924g, Subdivision (d)
Civil Code section 2924g, subdivision (d) provides: “The notice of each
postponement [of a trustee‟s sale] and the reason therefor shall be given by public
declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale.” (Civ. Code,
§ 2924g, subd. (d).) In their opening brief, plaintiffs allege that the foreclosure sale was
repeatedly postponed “without giving Plaintiff any notice.” The FAC, however, does not
allege any facts indicating that defendants failed to comply with the notice requirements
of Civil Code section 2924g. In any case, plaintiffs concede that at this time there is no
scheduled sale. Thus any previous alleged failure by defendants to provide notice of a
postponement of a nonjudicial foreclosure sale cannot be the basis for a cause of action at
this time.
14
4. Unfair Business Practices
a. The FAC Fails to Allege Actionable Violations of California Law
The third cause of action in the FAC is for unfair business practices in violation of
Business and Professions Code section 17200. This claim is based on six different acts
that plaintiffs contend are violations of California law. The first is T.D. Service
Company‟s act of recording the notice of default before it was duly appointed trustee of
the deed of trust. As we explained ante, however, the FAC fails to state sufficient facts to
support a claim based on T.D. Service Company‟s recording of the notice of default.
Next, the FAC alleges that, contrary to the notice of default declaration, plaintiffs
“were not contacted in the thirty (30) days prior to the recording of the Notice of Default,
received no first-class letter or certified mail, with return receipt requested.” This
argument misrepresents the contents of the notice of default declaration. The declaration
states that plaintiffs were not contacted. Further, as we explained ante, the FAC does not
state that defendants failed to exercise due diligence, and thus does not state a factual
basis for plaintiffs‟ claim that defendants violated Civil Code section 2923.5.
The FAC alleges that notice of trustee‟s sale is defective in that it violated former
Civil Code section 2923.53. As we explained ante, however, plaintiffs cannot base a
private action on this statute. (Vuki , supra, 189 Cal.App.4th at p. 794.)
The FAC also alleges that Deutsche Bank had no authority to initiate the
foreclosure because MERS “never possessed the promissory note” and did not have
authority to assign the deed of trust to Deutsche Bank. We reject this claim. As nominee
of the initial lender, MERS had authority to assign the promissory note and deed of trust,
even if it lacked possession of the promissory note. (Fontenot, supra, 198 Cal.App.4th at
p. 270.)
The FAC further alleges, based on “information and belief,” that First Franklin
“went out of business in 2008,” and, “as a result, MERS no longer had the authority to act
as its agent.” This allegation is based on Civil Code section 2356, which provides:
“(a) Unless the power of an agent is coupled with an interest in the subject of the agency,
it is terminated by any of the following:
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“(1) Its revocation by the principal.
“(2) The death of the principal.
“(3) The incapacity of the principal to contract.”
Plaintiffs have not cited any authority, and we have found none, to support their
contention that Civil Code section 2356 applies to a corporate entity, including a national
bank association such as First Franklin. Further, the FAC‟s allegation that First Franklin
“went out of business” is fatally vague and insufficient. It is unclear whether plaintiffs
contend that First Franklin voluntarily dissolved (see 12 U.S.C. § 181), filed a petition for
bankruptcy, or ceased to operate for some other reason. The FAC thus does not state
sufficient facts to support plaintiffs‟ claim that MERS was no longer First Franklin‟s
agent when it assigned the promissory note and deed of trust to Deutsche Bank.
Moreover, the deed of trust provides that MERS was not only First Franklin‟s
nominee, it was also the nominee of First Franklin‟s “successors and assigns.” The deed
of trust also provides: “Borrower understands and agrees that MERS holds only legal
title to the interests granted by Borrower in this Security Instrument, but, if necessary to
comply with law or custom, MERS (as nominee for Lender and Lender’s successors and
assigns) has the right to exercise any or all of those interests.” (Italics added.)
Accordingly, even if First Franklin was “out of business” at the time MERS assigned its
interests in the deed of trust and promissory note, under the plain terms of the deed of
trust MERS had the authority to make the assignment.
Finally, based on “information and belief,” the FAC alleges that “[T.D. Service
Company] Used a Robo Signers to execute the Notice of Default and the Notice of
Trustee‟s Sale, including the declarations attached to them.” This vague and factually
devoid allegation does not support a cause of action. In any case, plaintiffs do not make
any arguments in support of this allegation in their briefs, and thus forfeited the claim on
appeal.
The FAC fails to alleges facts supporting any violations of California law or any
other basis for an unfair business practices claim pursuant to Business and Professions
Code section 17200.
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b. Plaintiffs’ Standing to Pursue an Unfair Business Practices Claim
With the exception of certain government officials, a Business and Professions
Code section 17200 claim can only be maintained “by a person who has suffered injury
in fact and has lost money or property as a result of the unfair competition.” (Bus. &
Prof. Code, § 17204.) To satisfy the “injury in fact” requirement a party must show that
he or she suffered economic injury and that such injury was the result of, i.e., caused by,
the unfair business practice. (Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court (2011) 51 Cal.4th 310,
322.)
Defendants argue that plaintiffs lack standing to pursue an unfair business
practices claim because the FAC does not allege facts indicating that plaintiffs have
suffered injury in fact. We do not reach this issue because we hold that the FAC does not
state sufficient facts to support an unfair business practices claim for the reasons stated
ante.
5. Quiet Title
The fourth and final cause of action in the FAC is for quiet title. The FAC alleges
that plaintiffs seek to quiet title against the claims of MERS, Deutsche Bank, First
Franklin, T.D. Service Company and all unknown persons “claiming any legal or
equitable right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the property.” In other words, plaintiffs
seek to extinguish the deed of trust and promissory note. The FAC, however, states no
facts indicating that plaintiffs have a right to do so. In particular, the FAC does not allege
that plaintiffs have paid the amount due under the promissory note or made a tender to do
so.
An action to quiet title is equitable in nature, governed by equitable principles.
(Mix v. Sodd (1981) 126 Cal.App.3d 386, 390.) It is well established that under equitable
principles, a mortgagor cannot maintain a quiet title action without first tendering or
discharging his or her debt to the mortgagee. (Ibid.; Shimpones v. Stickney (1934)
219 Cal. 637, 649; Aguilar v. Bocci (1974) 39 Cal.App.3d 475, 477-478; Horton v.
California Credit Corp. Retirement Plan (S.D. Cal. 2011) 835 F. Supp.2d 879, 893.) The
same equitable principles prevent a trustor of a deed of trust from maintaining a quiet title
17
action against a beneficiary, trustee, or nominee of the beneficiary without first tendering
or discharging his or her secured debt.13 The FAC thus fails to state sufficient facts to
constitute a quiet title cause of action.
Plaintiffs argue that the FAC states a quiet title action against Deutsche Bank
because it alleges that MERS did not have possession of the promissory note or authority
to assign the note to Deutsche Bank. As we explained ante, however, this argument is
without merit. The trial court correctly sustained defendants‟ demurrer to this cause of
action.
6. Leave to Amend the FAC
When a general demurrer is sustained, the plaintiff must be given leave to amend
his or her complaint when there is a reasonable possibility that the defect can be cured by
amendment. (Maxton, supra, 203 Cal.App.4th at p. 95.) “The burden of proving such
reasonable possibility is squarely on the plaintiff.” (Blank v. Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal.3d
311, 318.)
“ „To satisfy that burden on appeal, a plaintiff “must show in what manner he can
amend his complaint and how that amendment will change the legal effect of his
pleading.” [Citation.] The assertion of an abstract right to amend does not satisfy this
burden.‟ [Citation.] The plaintiff must clearly and specifically state „the legal basis for
amendment, i.e., the elements of the cause of action,‟ as well as the „factual allegations
that sufficiently state all required elements of that cause of action.‟ ” (Maxton, supra,
203 Cal.App.4th at p. 95.)
13
The “tender rule” also applies to any action challenging a wrongful nonjudicial
foreclosure but does not apply to an action seeking to enjoin a foreclosure sale. (Pfeifer
v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 1250, 1280-1281.) In their
quiet title cause of action, plaintiffs do not challenge a completed nonjudicial foreclosure
or seek to enjoin a pending foreclosure sale. Thus the cases defendants cite relating to
the tender rule in wrongful foreclosure actions are inapplicable.
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Here, plaintiffs argued in their reply brief that an issue on appeal is whether they
were entitled leave to amend their FAC. Plaintiffs, however, did not describe in their
brief how they would amend their FAC to cure its defects. We therefore decline to grant
plaintiffs leave to amend because they have not met their burden of showing there is a
reasonable possibility that the deficiencies in the FAC can be cured by amendment.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. Respondents are awarded costs on appeal.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
KITCHING, J.
We concur:
KLEIN, P. J.
ALDRICH, J.
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