INDIANAPOLIS — In one week, landlords will be able to start the eviction process for renters who have fallen behind on rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This could affect thousands, depending on how many people have applied for rental assistance in Indiana.
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced a wide range of executive orders designed to help with the financial impact of the pandemic, including another national moratorium on evictions. But, it's not clear when that executive order will be signed or who it will apply to and time is running out for Hoosier renters.
If Indiana's moratorium on evictions has been helping you and your family stay in your home, Brandon Beeler with Indiana Legal Services said there's one step you should take immediately.
"First and foremost is to try and set up communications with your landlord," Beeler said.
Indiana's Supreme Court, anticipating the trouble that would come once eviction protections expire, created a landlord-tenant task force to provide guidance on eviction cases. One of the best options it provides is a way to work out a repayment plan.
"Landlords also understand that a lot of renters have a lot of income insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so these resources are a good starting point," Beeler said.
Beeler said a repayment plan will allow renters to look into assistance programs that can help them pay what they owe.
RESOURCES | For those in Marion County | For those elsewhere in Indiana
Those aren't the only options.
"There are a lot of community groups, especially faith groups, are setting up rental assistance funds," Beeler said.
Beeler said what renters don't want to do is ignore eviction proceedings. Right now, local courts have received recommendations from the state that could benefit renters.
"Some courts may adopt a procedure where the first hearing is simply information and showing up may be helpful because it may be the court advising both parties, the landlord and tenant, to not evict today, but really advise you to go out in the hallway and work out a deal," Beeler said.
The most important thing, Beeler said, is to know that if a landlord threatens to kick a renter out immediately on the 14th, they're breaking a state law.
"In Indiana, landlords cannot remove tenants from their property without a court order," Beeler said. "It's more than just a landlord saying you have to leave, the landlord has to file an eviction case."
If a landlord tries to evict a renter without going through the court process, that's when renters should reach out to groups like Indiana Legal Services.
TENANT RESOURCES
- City of Indy Tenant Information Line (Marion County residents): (317) 327-2228
- Tenant Legal Assistance Project (“TLAP”) (Marion County residents)
- Help Desk every Thursday in August from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- (317) 973-1673
- Clark and Floyd Counties Tenant Helpdesk
- Every Friday in August from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- (812) 288-8002
- Fort Wayne Tenant Assistance Legal Clinic
- (260) 424-9115
- Rental Assistance Programs:
- Marion County: indyrent.org
- Other Indiana Counties: indianahousingnow.org
- Look to local sources (such as community groups, faith groups, etc.)
- Landlord Tenant Taskforce
- See: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/5758.htm [in.gov]
- Here, you can see the task force’s guidance to courts in Indiana re: reopening after the eviction moratorium expires
- Also includes resources for tenants and landlords, including sample forms for entering into a repayment plan to avoid eviction
- See: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/5758.htm [in.gov]
- Indiana Legal Services
- Indianalegalservices.org – to complete online application
- Phone intake (Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): 1-844-243-8570
- Also look to ILS’s COVID-19 page for additional legal information
