A. If the court, as a matter of law, finds that any provision of a rental agreement was inequitable when made, the court may limit the application of such inequitable provisions to avoid an inequitable result.
B. If inequitability is put into issue by a party to the rental agreement, the parties to the rental agreement shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to the setting, purpose and effect of the rental agreement, or settlement, to aid the court in making determination.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-7-12, enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 38, § 12.
Purpose of section. — This section modifies common-law principles by allowing the court to make a determination of the underlying fairness of the rental agreement when made and allowing selective enforcement of the contract to bring about an equitable result. Ramirez-Eames v. Hover, 1989-NMSC-038, 108 N.M. 520, 775 P.2d 722.
Review on appeal. — The determination of whether a rental agreement is inequitable should not be made de novo on review. Appellate courts should not be de novo courts of equity in landlord-tenant disputes. Ramirez-Eames v. Hover, 1989-NMSC-038, 108 N.M. 520, 775 P.2d 722.
Law reviews. — For survey, "The Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act," see 6 N.M.L. Rev. 293 (1976).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Application of usury laws to transactions characterized as "leases," 94 A.L.R.3d 640.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 8 - Owner-Resident Relations
Section 47-8-4 - Principles of law and equity.
Section 47-8-6 - Recovery of damages.
Section 47-8-7 - Provision for agreement.
Section 47-8-8 - Rights, obligations and remedies.
Section 47-8-10 - Judicial jurisdiction.
Section 47-8-11 - Obligation of good faith.
Section 47-8-12 - Inequitable agreement provision.
Section 47-8-13 - Service of notice.
Section 47-8-14 - Terms and conditions of agreement.
Section 47-8-15 - Payment of rent.
Section 47-8-16 - Waiver of rights prohibited.
Section 47-8-17 - Unlawful agreement provision.
Section 47-8-19 - Owner disclosure.
Section 47-8-20 - Obligations of owner.
Section 47-8-21 - Relief of owner liability.
Section 47-8-22 - Obligations of resident.
Section 47-8-23 - Application of rules or regulations.
Section 47-8-24 - Right of entry.
Section 47-8-25 - Use of dwelling unit limited.
Section 47-8-26 - Delivery of possession.
Section 47-8-27.1 - Breach of agreement by owner and relief by resident.
Section 47-8-27.2 - Abatement.
Section 47-8-30 - Action for counterclaim for resident.
Section 47-8-31 - Resident rights following fire or casualty.
Section 47-8-33 - Breach of agreement by resident and relief by owner.
Section 47-8-34 - Notice of extended absence.
Section 47-8-34.1 - Disposition of property left on the premises.
Section 47-8-34.2 - Personal property and security deposit of deceased resident; contact person.
Section 47-8-35 - Claim for rent and damages.
Section 47-8-36 - Unlawful removal and diminution of services prohibited.
Section 47-8-36.1 - Landlord lien.
Section 47-8-37 - Notice of termination and damages.
Section 47-8-38 - Injunctive relief.
Section 47-8-39 - Owner retaliation prohibited.
Section 47-8-40 - Action for possession by owner.
Section 47-8-41 - Action for possession by owner or resident.
Section 47-8-42 - Petition for restitution.
Section 47-8-43 - Issuance of summons.
Section 47-8-44 - Absence from court of defendant.
Section 47-8-45 - Legal or equitable defense.
Section 47-8-46 - Writ of restitution.
Section 47-8-47 - Appeal stays execution.
Section 47-8-48 - Prevailing party rights in law suit; civil penalties.
Section 47-8-49 - Unlawful and forcible entry.
Section 47-8-50 - Prior transactions valid.