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Local leaders and legal representatives announce lawsuits in April against landlords who manage three apartment properties across the city. The suits seek to make landlords pay for back utilities owed. - Jill Sheridan/WFYI
The city of Indianapolis has reached a settlement with the owner of four apartment complexes at risk of losing utilities.
Residents at the complexes pay for water and energy through rent but the property owner, JPC Affordable Housing, has not paid utility bills in months. Citizens Energy Group notified residents last month that utilities would be shut off Sept 30.
Now in an agreement with the city, JPC agrees to sell the properties that have numerous complaints. It also states that JPC’s owner, Oron Zarum, cannot acquire any more properties.
The settlement hinges on a separate agreement with Citizens Energy Group that has not been finalized. Citizens says it is in active negotiations with JPC that owes the utility group more than $1.9 million.
The Marion County Health and Hospital has also filed a complaint with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to stop a utility shutoff.
Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.
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