§ 10-51. Preliminary investigation; notice; hearing.

Whenever a petition is filed with the inspector by a public authority or by at least five (5) residents of the city charging that any dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation or whenever it appears to the inspector, upon inspection, that any dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation he shall, if his preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such dwelling or dwelling unit a complaint stating the charges and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the inspector at a place within the city therein fixed, not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days after the serving of such complaint. The owner or any party in interest shall have the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. Notice of such hearing shall also be given to at least one (1) of the persons signing a petition relating to such dwelling. Any person desiring to do so may attend such hearing and give evidence relevant to the matter being heard. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the inspector.

(Code 1977, § 12-21)