Indiana’s eviction moratorium ends this Friday, August 14. Access to safe, stable and affordable housing is vital for survivors and their families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here you will find some quick facts about what the end of the eviction moratorium means for Hoosiers, and resources for those seeking assistance:
Quick Facts:
- This moratorium does not forgive rent owed, it just temporarily prohibited eviction filings. Rent owed has never been forgiven or paused.
- Starting 8/14/2020, if a client is behind on rent they will likely be sent a notice of eviction, and even that notice is damaging to a survivor’s rental history record.
- This week is the time to work something out with your landlord. We strongly suggest individuals work out a payment plan so the landlord does not file the notice of eviction.
- The same applies to the utility freeze, which will also expire Friday, August 14, 2020. Contact the utility directly to negotiate a payment plan.
- Help survivors work out a rent payment plant in advance of any eviction action taken with this form
Links for rental/utility assistance:
- http://indianahousingnow.org/ (renters outside of Marion County)
- https://indyrent.org/ (renters in Marion County)
- https://www.877gethope.org/ (Homeowners)
- https://www.in.gov/ihcda/files/eviction_foreclosure_preventionguide.pdf
- https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4464.htm
- https://findhelp.org: Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced-cost programs by ZIP Code, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana Courts’ resources
- Updated memo from the courts regarding the status of foreclosures and evictions:
- Housing & eviction resources for Indiana courts and individuals:
Fillable notice to Landlord requesting a settlement conference in lieu of a formal eviction notice.
Did you know?
A landlord cannot evict a tenant without a court order.
- A legal eviction
- Requires a court order
- Requires legal notice and an opportunity to be heard
Landlords who try to illegally evict a tenant may:
- Change the locks or padlock the apartment
- Remove doors to the property
- Shut off utilities
- Threaten or harass a tenant
- Order the tenant to leave verbally or through written communication
- Remove property or appliances from the unit that may or may not belong to the tenant
- These so-called “self-help” evictions are not legal.
If you are working with a survivor who is being wrongfully evicted, contact ICADV Legal Counsel Kerry Hyatt Bennett at kbennett@icadvinc.org