Bill Hampers Local Efforts To Increase Renters Rights

A bill that alters landlord/tenant laws in Indiana passed the Indiana General Assembly. The controversial proposal came on the heels of Indianapolis City-County Council’s move to increase renters rights. The legislation would undo some of those measures. 

If the Gov. Eric Holcomb signs the bill, it will prohibit local municipalities from infringing on landlord/tenant agreements.

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) says the language was added to an unrelated bill and it will impact an estimated one third of Hoosiers who rent.

"They should have the right to know exactly what we’re doing and we should know exactly what we are doing," says Lanane, "and we do not."

Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) says renters still have rights through lease agreements.

"Clearly there is going to be a lease in the landlord/tenant relationship and this not giving a landlord the ability to violate that lease," says Freeman. 

Indiana has some of the highest eviction rates in the country.

In a statement Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett (D) says the move will further harm renters.

“It is also clear that the problems facing cities and towns across Indiana are unique to each jurisdiction and the solutions must be as well,” says Hogsett.