Alaska Stat. § 18.55. § 18.55.900
Ordinance may give corporation additional powers
Operative Text
An ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality may authorize the corporation to exercise those powers that are necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of AS 18.55.480 — 18.55.960 including the power to: (1) investigate the dwelling conditions in the municipality in order to determine which dwellings are unfit for human habitation; (2) administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence; (3) enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations, if the entry is made in the manner that causes the least possible inconvenience to the person in possession, or, if entry is denied, obtain a court order for this purpose; (4) appoint and fix the duties of the officers, agents, and employees that the corporation considers necessary to carry out the purposes of the ordinance; and (5) delegate functions and powers under the ordinance to the officers, agents and employees whom the corporation designates.
Alaska Statute AS 18.55 § 18.55.900 establishes that a municipal governing body may pass an ordinance granting a housing corporation expanded authority to fulfill the goals of the broader AS 18.55.480–18.55.960 framework. These additional powers can include inspecting dwellings to assess habitability, conducting formal fact-finding procedures such as administering oaths and receiving evidence, and entering properties to perform examinations—with court orders available when entry is refused. The provision also allows the corporation to hire and organize staff and to delegate its functions to designated personnel.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under AS 18.55 § 18.55.900, a municipally authorized housing corporation may have the legal authority to inspect rental properties for habitability concerns, and that authority can extend to obtaining a court order if access is denied. Operators who manage properties in municipalities that have adopted such an ordinance generally maintain their units in a condition that would withstand habitability review and cooperate with lawful inspection requests. Keeping records of maintenance, repairs, and communications with inspectors is a practice commonly associated with compliant property management under this type of framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
AS 18.55 § 18.55.900 allows a municipality to empower a housing corporation to investigate dwelling conditions and determine whether units are unfit for human habitation, which can be a meaningful protection for renters living in substandard conditions. Tenants in municipalities that have adopted an ordinance under this provision may have access to a formal inspection and evidence-gathering process if their dwelling is believed to be unsafe. Those concerned about habitability conditions may consider contacting their local municipality or housing authority to learn whether such an ordinance is in effect, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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