Indiana Code 32-27-2-9. Disclaimer of implied warranties
(1) The warranties defined in this chapter are expressly provided for in the written contract between a builder and:
Terms Used In Indiana Code 32-27-2-9
- builder: means a person who constructs new homes for sale, including the construction of new homes on land owned by home buyers. See Indiana Code 32-27-2-6
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- home buyer: means a purchaser of a new home or a model home. See Indiana Code 32-27-2-5
- initial home buyer: means a person who:
Indiana Code 32-27-2-2
- model home: means a new dwelling that is used for the first time after construction as:
Indiana Code 32-27-2-3.5
- new home: means a new dwelling occupied for the first time as a residence after construction. See Indiana Code 32-27-2-4
(B) the home buyer of a model home.
(2) The performance of the warranty obligations is backed by an insurance policy in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of the new home or model home.
(3) The builder carries completed operations products liability insurance covering the builder’s liability for reasonably foreseeable consequential damages arising from a defect covered by the warranties provided by the builder on a new home.
(b) The disclaimer must be printed in a minimum size of 10 point boldface type setting forth that the statutory warranties of section 8 of this chapter for a new home or section 8.5 of this chapter for a model home are in lieu of the implied warranties that have been disclaimed by the builder, and the initial home buyer of a new home or the home buyer of a model home must affirmatively acknowledge by complete signature that the initial home buyer of a new home or the home buyer of a model home has read, understands, and voluntarily agrees to the disclaimer. Additionally, the initial home buyer or home buyer must acknowledge the disclaimer of implied warranties by signing, at the time of execution of the contract, a separate one (1) page notice, attached to the contract, that includes and begins with the following language:
“NOTICE OF WAIVER OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES
I recognize that by accepting the express warranties and the insurance covering those warranties for the periods of time provided in this contract, I am giving up the right to any claims for implied warranties, which may be greater than the express warranties. Implied warranties are unwritten warranties relating to the reasonable expectations of a homeowner with regard to the construction of the homeowner’s home, as those reasonable expectations are defined by the courts on a case by case basis.”.
(c) If there is a default of either:
(1) the insurance for the performance of the warranty obligations; or
(2) the completed operations products liability insurance;
the disclaimer by the builder is void from and after the default.
[Pre-2002 Recodification Citation: 32-15-7-9.]
As added by P.L.2-2002, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.137-2023, SEC.11.