Land had been sold by administrative receivers appointed under a charge. The owner said that the lands had been sold at an undervalue.
Held: The action failed. The claimant could not show any breach of duty or that the assessments made were not reasonable. ‘It is now clearly established that a receiver appointed by a mortgagee to sell mortgaged property in order to recover or reduce the mortgage debt is effectively in the same position as the mortgagee and owes a duty in equity to all those interested in the equity of redemption to obtain a proper price for the property. He is not however a trustee of his power of sale for the mortgagor and accordingly can choose the time of sale even if that turns out to be disadvantageous to the debtor who could have recovered more had the property been sold later. ‘
Judges:
Patten J
Citations:
[2008] EWHC 1273 (Ch)
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Citing:
Cited – Raja v Austin Gray (A Firm) CA 19-Dec-2002
A mortgagee is at all times free to consult his own interests alone as to whether and when to exercise his power of sale. The relationship and duties owed by the receiver are equitable only. Peter Gibson LJ said: ‘(1) A mortgagee with the power of . .
Cited – Cuckmere Brick Co Ltd v Mutual Finance Ltd CA 1971
A mortgagee selling as mortagee in possession must ‘take reasonable care to obtain the true value of the property at the moment he chooses to sell it’ and obtain the best price for the property reasonably obtainable on the open market. However, . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Land, Torts – Other
Updated: 17 July 2022; Ref: scu.269727