Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-1750
Unsafe or dangerous structures; abandoned property; commercial real estate; definitions.
Operative Text
As used in this act: (a) "Structure" means any building, wall or other structure. (b) "Enforcing officer" means the building inspector or other officer designated by ordinance and charged with the administration of the provisions of this act. (c) "Abandoned property" means: (1) Any residential real estate for which taxes are delinquent for the preceding two years and which has been unoccupied continuously by persons legally in possession for the preceding 90 days; or (2) commercial real estate for which the taxes are delinquent for the preceding two years and which has a blighting influence on surrounding properties. "Commercial real estate" means any real estate for which the present use is other than one to four residential units or for agricultural purposes. (d) "Blighting influence" means conditions in such structure which are dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or morals of the occupants of such buildings or other residents of the municipality or which have an adverse impact on properties in the area. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Defects increasing the hazards of fire, accident, or other calamities; air pollution; light or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects; uncleanliness; dead and dying trees, limbs or other unsightly natural growth or unsightly appearances that constitute a blight to adjoining property, the neighborhood or the city; walls, sidings or exteriors of a quality and appearance not commensurate with the character of the properties in the neighborhood; unsightly stored or parked material, equipment, supplies, machinery, trucks or automobiles or parts thereof; vermin infestation; inadequate drainage; or any violation of health, fire, building or zoning regulations. (e) "Organization" means any nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this state and which has among its purposes the improvement of housing. (f) "Rehabilitation" means the process of improving the property into compliance with applicable fire, housing and building codes. (g) "Parties in interest" means any owner or owners of record, judgment creditor, tax purchaser or other party having any legal or equitable title or interest in the property. (h) "Last known address" includes the address where the property is located, or the address as listed in the tax records.
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-1750 establishes the foundational definitions that govern Kansas law on unsafe, dangerous, and abandoned structures. It sets out what counts as a 'structure,' who qualifies as an 'enforcing officer,' and what conditions make a property 'abandoned' — including residential real estate with two years of delinquent taxes that has been unoccupied for 90 days, and commercial real estate with delinquent taxes that exerts a blighting influence on surrounding properties. The provision also defines key terms like 'blighting influence,' 'rehabilitation,' and 'parties in interest,' which shape how the rest of the act is applied throughout Kansas municipalities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Kansas should be aware that § 12-1750 defines the threshold conditions under which a property may be classified as abandoned or blighted under state law. Compliant operators generally keep tax payments current, maintain structures free of the conditions listed as 'blighting influences' — such as structural defects, vermin infestation, and code violations — and ensure that residential properties remain continuously occupied by persons legally in possession. Understanding these definitions helps operators recognize when a property may be at risk of triggering enforcement action by the locally designated enforcing officer.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in or near properties in Kansas may find § 12-1750 relevant when a building shows signs of disrepair, uncleanliness, vermin infestation, or other conditions described as 'blighting influences' under this provision. Because the law defines who qualifies as a 'party in interest' and what constitutes 'abandoned property,' tenants may have standing to raise these definitions when engaging with local enforcement processes or municipal authorities. Tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand how these definitions interact with local ordinances and what complaint or notification processes may be available through the locally designated enforcing officer.
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 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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