Columbus, IN Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Chapter 15.24 of the Columbus Municipal Code, the housing standards chapter of the City of Columbus, Indiana, protects tenants who bring problems to the Code Enforcement Officer. Section 15.24.017 makes it a violation if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a residential rental unit owner or the owner's agent brought, or threatened to bring, an action for possession of a rental unit to retaliate against a tenant for requesting the Code Enforcement Officer's assistance with deficiencies or code violations. The violation attaches only after a court makes that determination. None of the sections read here prints a complaint form, hotline or response deadline for tenant requests, so the practical route is a direct request to the Code Enforcement Officer in the Department of Community Development.

The complaint channel reaches landlords too. Under §§ 15.24.012 and 15.24.013, an owner who does not live in Bartholomew County or a contiguous county must keep an agent who resides or maintains a permanent office within Bartholomew County and is authorized to receive notification of complaints, damages, emergencies, substandard conditions and other communications the Code Enforcement Officer considers necessary. The agent's name, address and telephone number are required, and the owner must report any change in writing within thirty days (§ 15.24.016).

After a complaint, enforcement runs through § 15.24.030. When the chief code enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe a violation affects the health of occupants or the health and safety of the public, the officer gives written notice to the responsible person and any known agent. The notice must state the reasons, allow fifteen days to act (extendable by written notice), and outline the remedial action that will bring compliance. Service counts if made personally, by posting in a conspicuous place at the dwelling, or by any other method the State allows. Anyone affected can petition the board of public works and safety for a hearing within ten days after service (§ 15.24.040); without a petition the notice becomes an order (§ 15.24.050), and a person aggrieved by the board's decision can seek relief in court (§ 15.24.060). In an emergency the officer can order immediate action without notice or hearing, with a hearing within ten days on petition (§ 15.24.070). Orders on unsafe buildings follow Indiana Code 36-7-9.