Cal. Civ. Code § 16-41-20-7
Orders for cleaning, repairing, or improving
Operative Text
Sec. 7. The state department, local board of health, or county health officer may order purified, cleansed, disinfected, renewed, altered, repaired, decontaminated, or improved a dwelling, excavation, building, structure, sewer, plumbing, pipe, passage, premises, ground, or thing in or about a dwelling that is found to be unfit for human habitation or the dwelling's lot.
Under Ind. Code § 16-41-20-7, Indiana's state health department, a local board of health, or a county health officer has the authority to issue formal orders requiring that a dwelling or any associated structure, plumbing, sewer, or surrounding premises be cleaned, repaired, disinfected, decontaminated, or otherwise improved when those conditions are found unfit for human habitation. The provision applies broadly to any physical element in or around a dwelling, from the building itself to the lot it sits on. The rule establishes a governmental power to compel remediation rather than simply recommend it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Ind. Code § 16-41-20-7 should be aware that the state health department, a local board of health, or a county health officer can issue binding remediation orders covering virtually any component of a rental property—including plumbing, sewers, structures, and the surrounding lot—if conditions are deemed unfit for human habitation. Compliant operators generally maintain ongoing inspection and maintenance programs to identify and address habitability concerns before a formal order is issued. Receiving such an order typically triggers an obligation to take corrective action within whatever timeframe the issuing authority specifies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 16-41-20-7 gives tenants a meaningful backdrop of governmental enforcement: if a dwelling or its associated structures, plumbing, or lot are found unfit for human habitation, the state health department, a local board of health, or a county health officer can order the landlord to clean, repair, or otherwise remediate the problem. Tenants who believe their home has serious habitability deficiencies may consider contacting their local or county health department to request an inspection, which could trigger the ordering authority described in this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in Indiana can also help residents understand how this enforcement mechanism interacts with other remedies available under state law.
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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