YOU BE THE JUDGE WRITING PROBLEM John Stevens owned a dilapidated apartment that he rented to James and Cora Chesney for a low rent. Over a four-year period, the Chesneys installed two new bathrooms,...

YOU BE THE JUDGE WRITING PROBLEM John Stevens owned a dilapidated apartment that he rented to James and Cora Chesney for a low rent. Over a four-year period, the Chesneys installed two new bathrooms, carpeted the floors, installed new septic and heating systems, and rewired, replumbed, and painted. Stevens periodically stopped by and saw the work in progress. Three years after their work was done, Stevens served the Chesneys with an eviction notice. The Chesneys counterclaimed, seeking the value of the work they had done. Are they entitled to it? Argument for Stevens: Mr. Stevens is willing to pay the Chesneys exactly the amount he agreed to pay: nothing. The Chesneys are making the absurd argument that anyone who chooses to perform certain work, without ever discussing it with another party, can charge it to the other person. Argument for the Chesneys: The Chesneys have given an enormous benefit to Stevens by transforming the apartment and enabling him to rent it at greater profit. If Stevens never intended to pay the fair value of the work, he should have stopped the couple or notified them that there would be no compensation.