banner ad
Experts Logo

articles

Court Determines Failure to Disclose Deferred Down Payment is a Rees-Levering Violation

By: Darryl Horowitt
Tel: 559-248-4820
Email Mr. Horowitt

Website: www.ch-law.com/

View Profile on Experts.com.


Many consumer lawyers have argued that the failure to disclose a deferred down payment constitutes a Rees-Levering violation even if the amount of the down payment is accurately stated. An issue did, however, exist as to whether or not the inadvertent exclusion of a deferred down payment on the line for a down payment constitutes a Rees-Levering violation. This question has been answered by the court in Rojas v. Platinum Auto Group, Inc. (January 15, 2013) 212 Cal.App.4th 997.

In Rojas, Rojas purchased a car from Platinum Auto Group. As part of the agreement, Rojas agreed to a deferred down payment, which required four payments, one of which was to be made after the date the second installment payment would be due under the retail installment sale contract. Although the parties agreed that a deferred down payment would be made, the RISC listed the down payment on line 6(g) labeled "Remaining Cash Down Payment" instead of a Deferred Down Payment on line 60 of the contract. The contract was thereafter assigned to Topaz Financial.

Rojas sued Platinum and Topaz seeking rescission and restitution for violation of the Rees-Levering Motor Vehicle Sales Act as well as violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Business & Professions Code § 17200. Platinum and Topaz demurred on the grounds that while the deferred down payment was not on the correct line, it was a trivial defect and that no damages were alleged. The demurrer was sustained. On appeal, however, the court found that the trial court erred and that the demurrer should have been overruled. In doing so, the court found that Rees-Levering requires strict compliance as it relates to the disclosure of down payments, including a requirement that a deferred down payment be included on the correct line of the contract. The court found that substantial compliance with this section was not required and damages were presumed to exist based on the statutory history of Rees-Levering. The court noted that the legislature did recently relax the requirements of Rees-Levering as it relates to how government fees are disclosed, but the legislature did not soften the requirements for disclosure of deferred down payments, thus confirming that strict compliance is required.

The court noted that the penalty for a failure to comply with the provisions of Rees- Levering that require the proper disclosure of a deferred down payment is that the contract be determined to be void and unenforceable. Thus, carefully reviewing the contracts that are assigned for proper disclosure of deferred down payments is crucial to avoid the extreme repercussions that may follow for noncompliance.

Rees-Levering does permit enforcement of a contract by the holder where the holder of the RISC has no knowledge that a deferred down payment was made as the contract was improperly prepared, and also permits for correction of the contract by either the dealer or the finance company within ten days of the execution of the contract. As such, it is more important than ever to carefully review contracts that are received to make sure that all provisions of Rees-Levering are complied with.

View Original Article (PDF).


Darryl Horowitt, Esq. has conducted all phases of litigation in the areas of Banking, Business Disputes, Securities Fraud (class action and individual), Construction, Real Estate, Environmental, Casualty Insurance Defense, Personal Injury and Commercial Collections, from initial client contact to settlement, mediation, arbitration and trial - court and jury (State and Federal Court) and administrative proceedings (before the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, National Labor Relations Board, California Department of Fair Housing and Employment, Worker's Compensation Appeals Board and Agricultural Labor Relations Board).

©Copyright - All Rights Reserved

DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY AUTHOR.

Related articles

coleman-horowitt-logo.jpg

1/23/2018· Legal Issues

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Collections

By: Darryl Horowitt

Other than dealing with the Government, perhaps the most frustrating aspect of running a business is the collection of unpaid debts from your customers. Every business at one time or another will be faced with the situation where goods and/or services have been provided, no complaints have been received, yet your customer refuses to pay. This monograph will serve to answer a few questions you may have regarding collections as they arise in the commercial setting.

Larry-Jacobson-Real-Estate-Legal-Malpractice-Expert-Photo.jpg

7/13/2016· Legal Issues

The Expert Witness In Real Estate Litigation - A User's Guide

By: Lawrence Jacobson

Although many articles have been written about the use of the expert witness in litigation, almost all are written by lawyers and rarely by an expert witness who is also a lawyer. Having practiced law since 1968 in the area of real estate and business transactions with a real estate broker's license since 1978, I have testified frequently as an expert witness in litigation involving the interpretation of real estate documents, the standard of care of real estate brokers, in legal malpractice actions involving real estate and business transactions and in legal fee disputes. As such, I thought it would be helpful to litigators handling real estate litigation matters to have the perspective of an expert witness on issues affecting the choice, usage and cross-examination of an expert witness in such litigation.

coleman-horowitt-logo.jpg

11/20/2015· Legal Issues

Subpoenas: What They Are And How To Respond To Them

By: Darryl Horowitt

Every day, in almost every city, and in almost every state, a business is served with a subpena. Your business may have received one in the past or may receive one soon. For those who are not regular participants in lawsuits, subpoenas are a mysterious document which you should know about.

;
Experts.com-No broker Movie Ad

Follow us

linkedin logo youtube logo rss feed logo
;