Indiana Code
Chapter 9. Unsafe Building Law
36-7-9-22. Emergencies; Court Order Authorizing Action to Make Premises Safe; Judgment for Costs

Sec. 22. (a) A court acting under section 17 of this chapter may set a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after the filing of a complaint alleging the existence of unsafe premises presenting an immediate danger to the health and safety of the surrounding community sufficient to warrant emergency action. Upon a finding at the hearing in favor of the department, the court may:
(1) permit the enforcement authority to cause the action necessary to make the premises safe to be immediately performed by a contractor licensed and qualified under law;
(2) permit the enforcement authority to cause the action necessary to make the premises safe to be immediately performed by a contractor licensed and qualified under law after the defendants have had a reasonable time, as established by the court, to make the unsafe premises safe and have failed to complete the necessary action; or
(3) grant a mandatory injunction relative to the unsafe premises that would require a defendant who has an interest in the premises that allows the defendant to take corrective action to immediately make the premises safe.
In granting relief under subdivision (2) or (3) the court shall set a date certain for the completion of the necessary action and shall hold a hearing within ten (10) days after that date to determine whether the necessary action has been completed.
(b) The issuance of an order concerning the unsafe premises is not a prerequisite to permission by the court to cause action to be performed on the unsafe premises. If an order has been issued concerning the unsafe premises, it does not prevent the permission by the court to cause action to be performed on the unsafe premises.
(c) If the enforcement authority requests authority to cause action on the unsafe premises to be performed by a contractor, all persons having a substantial property interest in the unsafe premises shall be made party defendants.
(d) The cost of accomplishing the work may, after a hearing, be entered by the court as a judgment against persons having a fee interest, life estate interest, or equitable interest of a contract purchaser in the unsafe premises.
[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-5-5.5-19 part.]
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.59-1986, SEC.14.

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