In the case of Macaria Beltran, Trustee of the MCB Trust versus Patrick Graham, filed in the Second Appellate District Division Four of the Court of Appeal of the State of California, under case ID B324636 on April 30, 2024, a dispute over an eviction due to unpaid utility bills has been resolved. The plaintiff is represented by Dennis P. Block & Associates while Grant | Shenon represents the defendant.
The conflict arose when Patrick Graham, who leased a residence from Macaria Beltran, failed to put the water bill in his name and pay it as required by their lease agreement. This led to an outstanding balance of $6,462.92 in Beltran's name and resulted in her filing an unlawful detainer complaint against Graham. Despite Graham's attempts at summary judgment or adjudication, the court found him guilty of violating the lease agreement.
Beltran was awarded possession, damages, attorney fees and costs following a bench trial where it was established that Graham's failure to pay was a substantial and material violation of their lease agreement. In response to this judgment, Graham sought relief from forfeiture based on alleged hardship but was denied by the court.
Justices Mori, Currey and Zukin all concur that the trial courts summary judgment and post-judgment motion for relief against the defendant are affirmed.