Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING1 § 9-2-10-7
VACATED BUILDINGS MADE SECURE
Operative Text
The owner of every dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, hotel or motel which is declared unfit for human habitation or for continued occupancy shall make the dwelling unit, rooming unit, dwelling, hotel or motel, safe and secure under the terms so that it shall not be dangerous to human life and shall not constitute a fire hazard or public nuisance. Any such vacant dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, hotel or motel, open at doors or windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed to be dangerous to human life as a fire hazard and as a public nuisance with the meaning of this provision. (1997 Code)
Under Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING § 9-2-10-7, when a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, hotel, or motel is officially declared unfit for human habitation or continued occupancy, the property must be made safe and secure so that it poses no danger to human life, fire hazard, or public nuisance. The provision specifically treats any such vacant property left open at doors or windows without guarding as automatically meeting the definition of a fire hazard, danger to human life, and public nuisance. This rule establishes a clear standard that applies the moment a property receives an unfit declaration.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING § 9-2-10-7 generally ensure that any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, hotel, or motel declared unfit for habitation is promptly secured — meaning doors and windows are closed, locked, or boarded so the structure cannot be freely accessed. Compliant operators typically document the securing measures taken and maintain the property in that secured condition for as long as the unfit declaration remains in effect. Leaving such a property open and unguarded is treated by this provision as a per se fire hazard and public nuisance, which can trigger further enforcement action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING § 9-2-10-7, tenants and neighbors have an interest in knowing that a property declared unfit for habitation must be secured against open access that could create fire hazards or public nuisance conditions. If a vacated property in your area appears to remain open, unguarded, or otherwise unsecured after an unfit declaration, that condition may be reportable to local code enforcement or housing authorities in Colona. Tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand how an owner's failure to comply with this provision might relate to broader habitability or safety concerns.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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