Patterson v. Freihofer

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Stewabt,

This was an action for purchase money of real estate. The plaintiff’s statement recited the written agreement between the parties. It is therein stipulated among other things, that “ the premises are to be conveyed clear of all easements.” It is distinctly averred in the affidavit of defense filed, that notwithstanding this covenant, the premises to be conveyed are subjected to certain easements consisting of (1) a joint right of way or alley, of a width of about eighteen inches, one-half of which is on the plaintiff’s premises, and the remaining half upon adjoining property belonging to another, said right of way or alley being for the common use of both said properties; and (2) a right in adjoining owners to the use of certain cesspools or privy wells opened and maintained partly upon plaintiff’s premises and partly upon the property of adjoining owners. If the facts are as here stated, and for present purposes we must assume that they are, then plaintiff’s action cannot be maintained; for he can only require the defendant to keep his covenants as he observes his own. He stipulated to convey the premises clear of all easements, and defendant covenanted to pay the consideration only on condition that plaintiff fulfilled his contract. The buyer cannot be required to pay for what he did not agree to purchase. The description of the easements alleged is sufficiently explicit; it indicates clearly what they are, where they are, and their extent. This description certainly leaves the plaintiff in no doubt with respect to the defense set up, for recognizing the easements described, he insists in reply that they were open and visible at the time of purchase, that plaintiff must be presumed to have seen them, and that their existence therefore is no defense to the action. Whether such reply would be adequate where the covenant is simply a general warranty of title, we need not consider; it certainly fails to meet the ease where the covenant is expressed, to convey clear of easements. When one protects himself against an incumbrance by a positive covenant that the property is to be conveyed to him clear of all such incumbrance, he is entitled to the benefit of his contract whether he had knowledge of the existence of the incumbrance or not: Evans v. Taylor, 177 Pa. 286. The present action is to enforce payment of purchase money on an executory contract. In the case just cited, it is said, “ But when a positive term of the contract must be disregarded, neither law nor equity will interfere when the contract is executory.” It is unnecessary to discuss the other matters of defense set up in the affidavit of defense ; this one was sufficient to prevent the rule for judgment being made absolute.

Judgment reversed and a procedendo awarded.