City working to reduce rent-relief waiting list of 25,000
The city of Indianapolis is ramping up its COVID-19 rental assistance program with plans to process about 1,000 applications a day while the funding lasts.
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Settlement program aims to reduce eviction filings
The Indiana Supreme Court is launching a new mediation program to help stem the anticipated flood of evictions by facilitating settlement agreements between tenants facing eviction and landlords trying to collect rent.
More than 30,000 Hoosiers apply for state rental assistance
More than 30,000 Hoosiers who have fallen behind on rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic have applied for financial assistance from the state — nearly triple the amount Indiana officials originally expected.
IndyBar: In the Age of COVID-19, the Force Majeure Clause Takes Center Stage
Recently, in the case of In re Hitz Restaurant Group (2020 Bankr. LEXIS 1470 (N.D. Ill. June 2, 2020)), the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois-Eastern Division held that a force majeure clause in a lease excused a restaurant tenant from its obligation to pay a portion of post-petition rent.
Legal aid attorney Copsey remembered for housing legacy
Orville Copsey, Jr., an Indianapolis attorney whose work helping many elderly and disabled clients stay in their homes earned him the nickname “St. Orville,” died Aug. 4. He was 88. “We have lost a true gem in our legal community,” one attorney said in tribute.
Meeting tenants’ legal needs in looming eviction cases could cost billions
As Indiana’s moratorium on evictions is set to end in a week, legal aid providers are estimating the national price tag for helping tenants facing the prospect of losing their places to live will top $2.5 billion.
Indiana eviction, utility shutoff moratoriums end next week
Indiana residents who have struggled to pay rent or utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic have one more week before the state’s protections against evictions and utility shutoffs end, despite a recent analysis that found that more than 40% of the state’s renters are unable to pay their rent.
Moratorium extended as landlords, tenants encouraged to avoid evictions
As Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until mid-August, Indiana state courts increased their calls for residents and property owners to start trying to work out agreements that will keep families in their homes.
Rent’s due, again: Monthly anxieties deepen as aid falls off
Another month passes. The coronavirus pandemic marches on. And Americans struggling amid the economic fallout once again have to worry as their next rent checks come due Aug. 1.
Holcomb urges virus safety steps, not tougher rules; will extend eviction moratorium
Indiana will keep its current coronavirus restrictions in place for at least most of August, with Gov. Eric Holcomb choosing Wednesday to encourage compliance with safety measures amid continued concerns about recent growth in the state’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Holcomb also said he would briefly extend a moratorium on evictions that was scheduled to expire this week.
Task force issues recommendations for handling increase in eviction cases
In anticipation of state courts being overwhelmed with landlord-tenant cases once the pandemic moratorium on evictions is lifted, a task force assembled by the Indiana Supreme Court released recommendations Wednesday that encourage payment plans and alternatives to forcibly removing residents from their homes.
Courts, attorneys fear wave of COVID evictions
A moratorium on evictions of families in federally subsidized housing is set to end July 25, and Indiana’s moratorium prohibiting evictions is set to end July 31. Advocates warn a wave of evictions is coming that could leave many Hoosiers without a place to live, but because of how these cases are tracked, they lack data to how big that wave will be and when it will arrive.
Marion County rental assistance program available to residents Monday
Marion County residents can begin applying for rental assistance beginning next week, Indianapolis officials said Wednesday. The coronavirus housing relief effort is expected to be among the largest in the nation.
Judgment of $246K for Carmel landlord upheld in business lease dispute
A Carmel landlord was properly awarded damages of nearly $250,000 plus attorney fees in a dispute over unpaid office rent, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The appellate court found no grounds for disturbing a Hamilton Superior Court’s judgment that discredited the tenant’s argument.
Holcomb announces $25 million in relief for renters
Indiana will use $25 million in federal relief funding to help Hoosiers struggling to pay rent due to the impact of coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday. The governor also extended through July a moratorium on evictions that had been schedule to expire at the end of June.
Expert: Attorneys are families’ best defense in coming eviction storm
While still unknown how many families will lose their place to live once the moratoria on evictions are lifted in Indiana and other states, a leading housing expert says the best treatment is providing attorneys to represent those families in court.
Simon sues tenant Brooks Brothers, seeks $8.7M in unpaid rent
Indianapolis-based shopping mall landlord Simon Property Group has filed a lawsuit against clothing retailer Brooks Brothers that seeks more than $8.7 million in unpaid rent.
Indiana Lawyer collects 6 statewide journalism awards
Journalists and artists for the Indiana Lawyer collected six statewide awards for work produced in 2019, the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists announced in results for the annual Best of Indiana journalism contest.
Allen County video explains court stay of residential evictions
One Indiana court is taking steps to better inform its community about changes to eviction proceedings as a result of the novel coronavirus crisis through a personal, virtual message.
Judge certifies class action against rent-to-buy company Rainbow Realty
A federal lawsuit filed against Rainbow Realty, a rent-to-buy real estate company in Indianapolis, will proceed as a class action after the Southern Indiana District Court certified several plaintiffs’ claims including discrimination, failure to disclose and violating state habitability requirements.