This is an interesting question. The instances I've seen where repairs were forced all involved rentals and sometimes as a condition of Home Sales. In some cases the Utility may also demand repairs to a service with the threat of disconnection. This is usually only after a serious failure has already happened.
As a suggestion, I think that repairing damaged and dangerous wiring should be required somehow where it is in part of a close community. Apartments, Condos, Townhouses, anywhere where buildings or occupancies are in close proximity to it's neighbors. In those instances I think that each community member has a responsibility to his/her neighbors. Maybe it could be tied to some insurance discount or a required inspection every 10 yrs or so and included as a condition of the policy.
Bill
