Indianapolis man pleads guilty in real estate rental fraud scheme
An Indianapolis man pleaded guilty Tuesday to running a real estate fraud scheme that defrauded investors of millions of dollars.
Rentals
Articles
Troubled Lakeside Pointe apartment complex acquired; lawsuit shelved
The long-troubled Lakeside Pointe at Nora apartment complex — under threat of a city nuisance lawsuit — has a new owner. The change in ownership means city and local heath officials will shelve — for now — a “test case” lawsuit under Indiana’s nuisance law.
City, partners push forward with renter support despite setbacks
Indianapolis has long struggled to rein in dilapidated housing complexes owned by absentee, typically out-of-state, landlords. It’s slogging through lengthy lawsuits with the owners of multiple troubled properties, and officials say there’s another filing ready to go unless a new owner takes over an infamously rundown complex. A pair of state-level moves in landlord-friendly Indiana also are hampering attempts to protect renters, city officials say.
Indianapolis delays suit against apartment owner, citing interested buyer
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration, which in January threatened a lawsuit against the owner of a troubled Nora-area apartment complex, has delayed filing suit, citing interest from a possible buyer.
Indiana Supreme Court unveils eviction diversion program
The Indiana Supreme Court has established a statewide pre-eviction diversion program, mandating that trial courts offer the service to landlords and tenants when a petition for eviction is filed.
Eviction court quick, sometimes painful process
In the rising tide of eviction filings in Indiana, the Wayne Township Small Claims Court in Indianapolis is waterfront property.
‘Cheap, easy, fast’: Evictions caused by debt, fueled by procedures
Legal aid attorneys and policy analysts point to money as the root cause of Indiana’s current eviction crisis. But compounding the already bad situation is the state’s eviction process.
Indiana Supreme Court establishes Eviction Task Force
A nine-member task force created by the Indiana Supreme Court will help landlords and tenants resolve their disputes and access federal rental assistance resources.
Indiana landlords turn to Rokita for help as fears of evictions rise
A group of Hoosier landlords has asked Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita for help in getting compensation from the state for the rent they lost during the eviction moratoriums and is preparing to take legal action against the state and federal governments.
Feds report most rental assistance has still not gone out
States and localities have only distributed 11% of the tens of billions of dollars in federal rental assistance, the Treasury Department said Wednesday, the latest sign the program is struggling to reach the millions of tenants at risk of eviction.
Landlords look for an exit amid federal eviction moratorium
Landlords, big and small, are angry about eviction moratoriums, which they consider illegal. Many believe some tenants could have paid rent, if not for the moratorium.
CDC issues new eviction ban for most of US through Oct. 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that would last until Oct. 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism from progressives that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic.
Indy launches tenant advocate program as eviction moratorium ends
A new tenant advocate program will put a housing liaison in every small claims court in Marion County during an expected surge in evictions, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration announced Thursday.
How Indiana evictions could surge post-moratorium
A federal freeze on most evictions that was enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31, after the Biden administration extended the date by a month. Here’s what that could mean for Hoosiers.
Res judicata bars property owner’s insurance suit, COA rules
A trial court properly rejected a second lawsuit brought by a Gary property owner who had already sued its insurer for coverage in a previous case involving the same parties, losses and issues, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
LaPorte County apartment accused of violating fair housing acts
The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana has filed a complaint in federal court against a Michigan City apartment complex, claiming the “discriminatory practices” of the residential provider deprived a Hoosier family of a place to live.
Judge: CDC exceeded authority in issuing eviction moratorium
A federal judge in Ohio has ruled that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lacked the authority to issue a nationwide moratorium on rental evictions, the second such ruling issued by a federal judge in two weeks.
COA splits on whether email was contract between apartment owner, vendor
A settlement offer received via email between a former apartment owner and a service vendor was an enforceable contract, a majority of the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed. A dissenting judge, however, would reverse the order requiring the parties to be bound by the terms of a March 2016 email exchange.
Toxic fallout: Remediation and lawsuits continuing at USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago
The pictures of sun-drenched homes and neatly trimmed lawns in East Chicago showcase what is perhaps the best outcome. However, the images belie the nightmare many residents are still living. The homes along with the neighboring West Calumet Housing Project and Carrie Gosch Elementary School were all built on the USS Lead Superfund site.
COA reinstates small claims case after COVID cancelation of vacation
A small claims case arising from a COVID-canceled vacation will return to the trial court after the Indiana Court of Appeals found dismissal was improper.