Troubled Indianapolis properties sold after lawsuit

Apartment buildings owned by bad-acting landlords who were sued by the city have been sold. JPC Affordable Housing agreed to sell its properties after months of refusing to pay utility bills.

The agreement came after action from Indianapolis, the state Attorney General’s office, and Citizens Energy Group. It also states that JPC’s owner, Oron Zarum, cannot acquire any more properties in Indiana for seven years. 

The properties are Capital Place, Woods at Oak Crossing, and Covington Square.The city gave JPC an extension on a deadline to sell the apartment complexes last year.

The properties were the subject of years of complaints. Last year, a showdown over the payment of utilities that lasted months threatened to leave tenants without electricity and water. 

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released a statement after the sale of three JPC properties this week.

“The sale of these buildings is a victory for tenants, who too often faced the threat of eviction because of an irresponsible landlord,” Hogsett said. “The City of Indianapolis will continue to do whatever is in our power to protect tenants and families.”

A recent report found large companies own 15 percent of single-family rentals in Marion County – much higher than the national average.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.