while the co-owner assumes that he is merely an agent and does not realize that ownership has been transferred. Later, he learns that ownership has indeed been transferred. In that case, it is conceivable that the purchaser may have built or planted. If he has built or planted, the claimant of pre-emption is given a choice between two options: either to acquire it at its value, or to have it removed while compensating him for the loss in value.
If he chooses to acquire it, he has the right to do so. But how is the value of the planting and building determined? The land is appraised first as though it were free of them, and then appraised with them on it. The difference between the two valuations is the value of the planting and building.
If someone asks: Why do we not give him the original value of the planting and building? We reply: This would not be sound, because prices may fall or rise. Moreover, the value of the materials before construction and assembly may be one thing, while their value after construction is another. Justice requires that the land be appraised without the planting and building, and then appraised with the planting and building upon it. The difference between the two valuations is the value of the planting and building.
If the claimant of pre-emption says, “I want the planting and building to remain, and I will give you their value,” we accept this. But if he says, “I do not want the planting and building to remain, because I wish to develop the land in a form other than its present form,” does he have the right to remove them? Yes, he has that right.
If the purchaser says, “These are my tools and materials: this is my iron, these are my bricks, and these are my doors, so do not dispose of them,” we say to him: Dispose of them and remove them, but you must compensate for the loss in value. Thus, if we determine that the doors and bricks have depreciated after being removed, he is liable for their loss in value.
The same applies to the planting: he is liable for any loss in value it suffers. If a tree loses value after being uprooted, he is liable for that loss. If, after being uprooted, the tree can no longer grow, then he is liable for its entire value.