Cal. Civ. Code § 36-7-9-22
Emergencies; court order authorizing action to make premises safe; judgment for costs
Operative Text
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. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.59-1986, SEC.14.
Indiana Code § 36-7-9-22 establishes an emergency legal process for addressing premises that pose an immediate danger to the health and safety of the surrounding community. When such a complaint is filed, a court can schedule a hearing within ten days and, if it finds in favor of the enforcement authority, may authorize a licensed contractor to perform necessary safety work, grant defendants a court-set deadline to fix the problem themselves, or issue a mandatory injunction requiring a property interest holder to act immediately. The costs of any contractor work performed under this provision can ultimately be entered as a court judgment against those holding a fee interest, life estate, or equitable interest in the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 36-7-9-22, property owners and those with a substantial interest in unsafe premises can find themselves named as party defendants in an expedited court proceeding that may be scheduled within just ten days of a complaint. A compliant operator generally maintains properties in a condition that avoids triggering emergency findings, and when a court does set a deadline for corrective action, completing that work by the court-established date is what the statute contemplates. Failure to act within the court's timeframe can result in a licensed contractor being authorized to perform the work, with the associated costs potentially entered as a judgment against those holding a fee, life estate, or equitable interest in the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 36-7-9-22 provides a legal mechanism that may be relevant to tenants living near or in premises that present an immediate danger to community health and safety, as it empowers enforcement authorities to seek rapid court intervention. Tenants who believe their building or a neighboring property poses such an emergency risk may consider contacting their local enforcement authority or a tenant-rights organization to understand whether a complaint under this provision could be appropriate. The statute's ten-day hearing timeline and the court's authority to order immediate corrective action or issue a mandatory injunction represent potential enforcement paths worth discussing with a knowledgeable housing advocate or attorney.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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