Cal. Civ. Code § 24-5-0.5-1
Construction and purposes
Operative Text
Sec. 1. (a) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its purposes and policies. (b) The purposes and policies of this chapter are to: (1) simplify, clarify, and modernize the law governing deceptive and unconscionable consumer sales practices; (2) protect consumers from suppliers who commit deceptive and unconscionable sales acts; and (3) encourage the development of fair consumer sales practices. Formerly: Acts 1971, P.L.367, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.18-1997, SEC.2; P.L.1-2006, SEC.411.
Indiana Code § 24-5-0.5-1 establishes the foundational purposes of Indiana's Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, directing that the law be interpreted broadly to protect consumers from deceptive and unconscionable sales practices. The provision sets out three core goals: modernizing consumer protection law, shielding buyers from dishonest suppliers, and promoting fair marketplace conduct. Because courts are instructed to read this chapter liberally, ambiguous situations tend to be resolved in ways that advance consumer protection rather than narrow it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who engage in sales or leasing transactions with consumers operate within the scope of Indiana Code § 24-5-0.5-1's broad framework. Because this foundational provision directs liberal construction of the entire chapter, compliant operators generally ensure that all representations made during a transaction are accurate, transparent, and free from any practice that could be characterized as deceptive or unconscionable. Staying familiar with the chapter's full scope helps operators understand how courts and regulators may interpret conduct under this expansive mandate.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Indiana Code § 24-5-0.5-1 signals that the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act is designed to work in consumers' favor, with courts instructed to interpret its protections broadly. Tenants or buyers who believe a supplier engaged in deceptive or unconscionable conduct may have remedies available under this chapter, and the liberal-construction directive can support claims even in situations not explicitly spelled out elsewhere in the statute. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help individuals understand how this foundational provision interacts with more specific protections in the chapter.
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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