Public Policy Program

The Public Policy Program of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana works to enact laws that will promote open access to housing; increase the awareness of policy makers and regulators about the issues associated with housing disparities and inequities; works with local, state and federal legislators to ensure strong housing laws and policies; and collaborates with fellow organizations to advance housing needs.

The FHCCI has identified several Indiana “bad bills” that must be removed to better housing policies. At the right side of this page are yearly FHCCI session summaries of legislation of interest for review.

2025 General Assembly: The 2025 session will kick off in early January 2024. This is a budget year so will be a long session – estimated to end in late April. The FHCCI is focused on advancing legislation around four key areas:

  • Eliminate Substandard Housing
  • Transparency & Accountability
  • Protect/Expand Homeownership
  • Fight Displacement

A more detailed policy sheet for the FHCCI can be found here.

2025 Legislation: Below are key bills the FHCCI is monitoring:

  • HB 1018: OLD HOME REPAIR TAX CREDIT (PIERCE K) Allows a credit against a qualified taxpayer’s state tax liability in an amount equal to: (1) 20% of the qualified expenditures that a taxpayer makes for the preservation or rehabilitation of the taxpayer’s residence; or (2) 55% of the qualified expenditures that a taxpayer makes for the replacement of electrical wiring and fixtures that were added to the property prior to 1940. Provides that the property must be: (1) located in Indiana; (2) at least 85 years old; and (3) owned by the taxpayer. Provides that the preservation or rehabilitation work must be completed in not more than two years. Provides that the property must be principally used and occupied by the taxpayer as the taxpayer’s residence. Provides that qualified expenditures for preservation or rehabilitation of the property must exceed $5,500. Provides that the credit may be carried forward 15 years, but may not be carried back. Provides that the amount of credits allowed may not exceed $100,000 in a state fiscal year. Provides that a taxpayer that claims the credit may not also claim the residential historic rehabilitation credit for the taxable year.
  • HB 1079: PROPERTY MATTERS (ZIMMERMAN A) Provides that if a tenant does not claim the tenant’s property within 30 days after receiving a certain notice, a warehouseman or storage facility may sell the tenant’s property (current law requires a warehouseman or storage facility to wait 90 days). Defines “squatter” as an individual who occupies the real property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the property owner; or (3) another legal interest in the real property; authorizing the individual to occupy the real property. Provides that, under certain circumstances, a property owner may obtain an expedited removal of a squatter from the property owner’s residential real property or commercial real estate.
  • HB 1084: REAL ESTATE LAND CONTRACTS (MOED J) Defines “principal dwelling land contract” (contract) as a land contract for the sale of real property: (1) designed for the occupancy of one to two families; and (2) that is or will be occupied by the buyer as the buyer’s principal dwelling. Provides that a buyer who has completed the buyer’s obligations under the contract is entitled to the homestead deduction regardless of whether the seller has conveyed title. Provides that the seller under a contract must provide the buyer with certain information concerning any liens that encumber the property 10 days before the contract is executed. Sets forth disclosures that must be included in a contract. Requires all preexisting liens on the property to be satisfied by the seller by the end of the contract term. Provides that a contract must permit a buyer to pay the balance owed and receive the deed at any time. Prohibits prepayment penalties or additional charges for an early payoff. Provides a three day cancellation period for both the buyer and seller. Allows the seller and the buyer to transfer their respective interests in the contract to other parties, subject to certain conditions. Requires the seller to provide the buyer with an annual statement of account. Sets forth certain rights and responsibilities of the parties upon default by either the buyer or the seller. Sets forth acts and omissions constituting violations and establishes remedies for these violations. Provides that a violation of these provisions constitutes an incurable deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general under the deceptive consumer sales act. Authorizes the attorney general, in consultation with the department of financial institutions, to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Requires that the executed contract or a memorandum of land contract be notarized.
  • HB 1109: USE OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY (LEHMAN M) Requires an insurer that provides property insurance coverage to a named insured to take certain actions when the insurer uses aerial images to aid in its determination to not renew property insurance coverage for a named insured.
  • HB 1115: EMERGENCY POSSESSORY ORDERS (MANNING E) Provides that under certain circumstances a landlord may file a petition for an emergency possessory order. Requires a court to order a tenant to return possession of a dwelling unit to the landlord if the court finds probable cause to believe that: (1) the tenant, the tenant’s guest, or the tenant’s invitee has committed or is threatening to commit acts affecting the health and safety of another tenant or agent of the rental unit; or (2) the tenant committed certain crimes to induce the landlord into leasing or giving possession of the rental unit to the tenant.
  • HB 1140: EVICTION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM (SHACKLEFORD R) Establishes a grant program to provide grants to counties, cities, towns, or townships (local units) for the funding of eviction related services for tenants facing an eviction action. Authorizes local units to apply for grants. Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority to administer the grant program. Makes an appropriation.
  • HB 1147: BIAS CRIMES (PACK R) Adds gender identity to the definition of “bias crime”.
  • HB 1162: RENTAL RATE INCREASE CONTROL (SHACKLEFORD R) Prohibits a landlord from increasing the gross rental rate for certain rental units more than the lesser of: (1) 5%, plus the percentage cost of living increase; or (2) 10%; of the lowest gross rental rate charged for the rental unit during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the increase. Prohibits a landlord from increasing the gross rental rate in more than two increments over a 12 month period. Requires the legislative services agency to submit a report to the general assembly not later than July 1, 2030, analyzing the impact of the rental rate cap on the housing market in Indiana.
  • HB 1165: DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE (MOED J) Provides that a person that otherwise meets the qualifications to receive down payment assistance under a down payment assistance program offered by the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) may pair down payment assistance with a first mortgage issued by a community development financial institution (CDFI) without regard to whether the CDFI is a participating lender for purposes of the authority’s mortgage programs and down payment assistance programs.
  • HB 1175: REPAIR OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTIES (PRYOR C) Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential item not later than 24 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant’s rental unit is without certain essential services. Provides that a tenant may request an agency tasked with enforcing unsafe building provisions (enforcement authority) to conduct an inspection and replace or repair an essential item within 24 hours of the inspection. Authorizes the enforcement authority to replace or repair an essential item within 24 hours and to charge the landlord for certain costs and to order a $500 civil penalty to be paid. Requires any civil penalties to be placed in a repair fund to be used for costs incurred by the enforcement authority to replace or repair an essential item. Establishes appeal procedures. Requires a rental agreement entered into after June 30, 2025, to include a provision allowing a tenant to be reimbursed for any deposits paid by the tenant and to terminate the rental agreement if certain repairs are not made within seven days. Allows a court to order that a tenant’s regular rental payments are paid into an attorney trust account or to the clerk of the court during the pendency of an enforcement action brought by the tenant.
  • HB 1177: HOME OWNERSHIP (PRYOR C) Provides that Indiana law regulating telephone sales calls applies to a telephone solicitation that: (1) is made by a telephone solicitor that is not a licensed real estate broker; and (2) communicates to a consumer: (A) an offer to purchase; (B) an offer to broker, or otherwise assist or act as an intermediary in, the sale of; or (C) an inquiry regarding the consumer’s interest in selling; residential real property that was not publicly offered for sale, or advertised as being for sale, at any time during the 30 days preceding the date on which the telephone solicitation is made (unsolicited home purchase inquiries). Provides that a telephone solicitor that is not a licensed real estate broker may not make more than one unsolicited home purchase inquiry to the same consumer in a single calendar year. Provides that an investment firm may not enter into an executory contract for the purchase of a single family residence until not less than 90 days after the residence is listed for sale. Requires an investment firm to be represented by a licensed real estate broker who is not an employee of the investment firm or any of its subsidiaries to enter into an executory contract for the purchase of a single family residence. Makes a technical correction.
  • HB 1189: PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS (ABBOTT D) Provides that under certain circumstances, a residential property owner may obtain the removal of an unauthorized person from the residential property owner’s residential real property. Establishes a cause of action for wrongful removal from residential property. Provides that if a person without either the consent of the owner of a dwelling or a contractual interest in the dwelling knowingly or intentionally enters the dwelling and knowingly or intentionally causes more than $10,000 in damages to the dwelling, the person commits a Level 6 felony.
  • HB 1242: PROHIBITION ON LIEN FOR MEDICAL DEBT (SUMMERS V) Provides that: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer; or (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer; does not constitute a lien against the consumer’s principal residence. Provides that in any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the consumer is not liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on execution against the consumer.
  • HB 1284: BACKGROUND CHECKS OF MAINTENANCE WORKERS (PACK R) Requires a landlord to adopt a policy requiring individuals who apply for certain employment positions that include access to the rental premises during the term of a tenant’s lease to submit to a national criminal history background check before the landlord may hire the prospective employee.
  • HB 1293: INVESTOR OWNERSHIP OF SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES (HARRIS E) Establishes the housing down payment assistance fund. Establishes a transfer tax equal to 50% of the fair market value of a single family residence for each single family residence acquired by an applicable taxpayer after the applicable date. Establishes a maximum number of single family residences that may be owned by an applicable taxpayer after the applicable date for purposes of calculating an annual excise tax on any excess single family residences.
  • HB 1313: REENTRY SUPPORT PILOT PROGRAMS (ANDRADE M) Establishes a peer mentorship pilot program in the: (1) Indiana state prison; (2) New Castle Correctional Facility; (3) Branchville Correctional Facility; (4) Indiana women’s prison; and (5) Putnamville Correctional Facility; to use peer mentors and other qualified individuals to provide counseling and other services to aid in the reentry of incarcerated individuals. Establishes within the department of correction a pilot grant program for housing for discharged incarcerated individuals, to be used to assist an individual in obtaining and maintaining housing.
  • HB 1328: LANDLORD-TENANT MATTERS (BAUER M) For purposes of a residential rental unit, defines: (1) “essential services” as certain utility services needed for the safe and habitable occupation by a tenant of the tenant’s rental unit; and (2) “essential systems” as certain systems used to deliver essential services to a rental unit. Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 48 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant’s rental unit is without essential services as a result of: (1) a malfunction in the essential system; or (2) the landlord’s failure to maintain the system in good and safe working condition. Requires a landlord to pay all penalties or fines imposed by a political subdivision for violation of the landlord’s obligations with regard to a rental premises. Requires a landlord to pay all penalties or fines and make all repairs required by a political subdivision before the landlord may deliver the rental premises to a tenant. Provides that a tenant may enforce a statutory obligation of a landlord by: (1) providing 30 days notice to the landlord of the landlord’s noncompliance with the obligation; and (2) if the landlord fails to make the repairs necessary to remedy the noncompliance, withholding from the next regular rental payment the estimated cost of the repairs and using the amount withheld to make the repairs. Provides that, during the pendency of a court action brought by a tenant to enforce a statutory obligation of a landlord, the court may order the tenant to make the regular rental payments otherwise due to the landlord under the rental agreement to: (1) the clerk of the court; or (2) an attorney trust account; to be held in trust for disbursal to the prevailing party, as ordered by the court.
  • HB 1372: PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES (BOY P) Prohibits discrimination based upon an individual’s status as an active member of the armed forces, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Expands nondiscriminatory public policies of the state to include sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and national origin as protected classes.
  • HB 1373: RENT ESCROW (BOY P) Establishes a procedure permitting a tenant to withhold rent from a landlord and deposit it with a court if the landlord does not fulfill the landlord’s obligations or fails to remedy a violation of an ordinance, rule, code, or other law, and the violation may materially affect the health or safety of the tenant.
  • HB 1477: MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY MATTERS (ZIMMERMAN A) Provides that, for purposes of the Indiana department of health’s enforcement of statutes governing mobile home communities, if the owner of a mobile home community receives written notice from a water utility that the mobile home community will be disconnected from water service, the mobile home community is in violation of the mobile home community’s statutory obligation to provide water as of the date on which the owner receives the notice. Amends a provision restricting local government regulation of mobile homes, manufactured homes, and industrialized residential structures to provide that the restriction does not apply to the renovation of a mobile home, manufactured home, or industrialized residential structure. Specifies that a comprehensive plan or ordinance adopted by a county, city, or town may not categorically preclude installation of manufactured homes that meet specified requirements as permanent residences on a lot on which any other type of dwelling unit may be placed.
  • HB 1519: WORKFORCE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MILLER D) Establishes the workforce housing assistance program (program). Establishes the workforce housing assistance revolving fund (fund) and continuously appropriates money in the fund to provide loans to eligible borrowers in connection with the purchase of residential property to be used for any combination of the following expenses: (1) Down payment assistance. (2) Payment of closing costs. (3) Payment for renovations. (4) Funding a permanent interest rate buydown. Provides that the Indiana housing and community development authority (IHCDA) shall administer the program and the fund. Defines an “eligible borrower” as a first time home buyer whose household income does not exceed 160% of the county’s area median income in which the eligible borrower intends to purchase residential property. Defines a “first time home buyer” as an individual who has not, at any time during the three years preceding the date of the mortgage loan closing, had a present ownership interest in residential property. Defines “residential property” as the real property, including a single family dwelling together with any other improvements on the real property, sought to be purchased, in part, with the proceeds of a loan made from the fund by an eligible borrower for use as the eligible borrower’s principal residence. Allows the IHCDA to determine the amount of the loan that may be made from the fund to an eligible borrower. Specifies the criteria that the IHCDA must use in making loans from the fund to eligible borrowers, including the term of the loan, the loan’s status as a second mortgage secured by a lien in favor of the IHCDA, and the maximum rate of interest for the loan. Requires the executive director of the IHCDA to prepare an annual report on the fund’s activities for the legislative council and the budget committee. Makes an appropriation to the fund.
  • HB 1578: PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING (PACK R) Expands the Indiana fair housing statute to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s: (1) source of income; (2) military active duty status; or (3) veteran status. Defines “source of income”, “active duty”, and “veteran” for purposes of the statute.
  • HB 1598: ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUST PROPERTY (BAUER M) Provides for the true tax value of land and improvements in a community land trust for purposes of property tax assessment.
  • HB 1658: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT (CLERE E) Eliminates elections for the office of county assessor and township assessor after 2026 and phases out the offices of county assessor and township assessor as the terms of those elected to the offices expire. Transfers the duties of the assessor to the county auditor at the expiration of each assessor’s term. Requires the department of local government finance (DLGF) to develop an automated valuation model system (AVM system) to be used by the DLGF to annually run all qualifying residential property through the AVM system and provide the values determined to the county auditor. Requires county auditors to use the values to determine the fair market value of qualified residential property. Defines “qualified residential property”. Specifies the elements and functionality that must be included in the AVM system. Requires the DLGF to start running all qualifying residential property through an AVM system beginning with the first assessment date that an AVM system is operational for use, but not later than the 2031 assessment date. Eliminates qualified residential property from cyclical reassessments and annual adjustments (or “trending”) and ratio studies. Allows taxpayers to elect to receive notices of assessment (Form 11) by electronic mail. Makes corresponding changes.
  • HB 1662: STATE AND LOCAL POLICIES ON HOMELESSNESS (DAVIS M) Provides that any state funds available to the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) for programs for individuals experiencing homelessness are appropriated (subject to specified conditions and requirements) for the following purposes: (1) Parking areas. (2) Camping facilities. (3) Individual shelters. (4) Congregate shelters. Specifies that state funds otherwise used for permanent housing must be used to assist individuals with substance use, mental health treatment, and other services, including short term housing. Prohibits the use of state funds for the Indiana housing first program unless the expenditure is for a purpose allowed under the bill. Provides that the authority must award certain funds as performance payments for political subdivisions or nonprofit organizations that reduce the number of individuals with days unhoused, days in jail or prison, or days hospitalized. Specifies that a person who owns or operates a private camping facility funded under the bill’s provisions is immune from civil liability. Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use under the provisions added by the bill or another law. Provides, if certain elements are met, that a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor. Establishes an affirmative defense to such a prosecution. Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Authorizes a resident of the political subdivision, an owner of a business located in the political subdivision, or the attorney general to bring a civil action to enjoin a political subdivision that adopts or enforces such a policy. Makes conforming changes. Makes an appropriation.
  • SB 24: REGULATION OF PREMIUM INCREASES (TOMES J) Provides that certain insurance providers may not request to raise the insurer’s rate more than 10% in any one year. Requires certain insurance providers to justify any requested rate increase to the insurance commissioner.
  • SB 142: EVICTION ISSUES (BROWN L) Provides that the court shall order an expungement in a qualifying eviction case automatically. (Under current law, the tenant is required to request the expungement.) Permits an expungement in an eviction case if: (1) a money judgment related to the eviction action is entered by the court against the tenant and the tenant has satisfied the money judgment; or (2) a judgment is entered by the court against the tenant and at least seven years have elapsed since the entry of the judgment.
  • SB 157: PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS (GASKILL M) Defines “squatter” as an individual who occupies the property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the property. Permits a property owner to execute an affidavit stating that a squatter is occupying the person’s property, and requires a law enforcement agency to dispatch one or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter within 48 hours (or a later period if necessary for reasons of public safety). Requires a dispatched law enforcement officer to remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible written evidence that the person is not a squatter.
  • SB 161: ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITIONS ON PUBLIC CAMPING (FREEMAN A) Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action to enjoin a political subdivision that adopts or enforces such a policy.
    • 1/9/2025 – Senate Local Government, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing); Time & Location: 1:30 PM, Rm. 233 – Pulled from calendar.
  • SB 162: DECEPTIVE RENTAL HOUSING PRACTICES (CRIDER M) Prohibits a landlord from: (1) selling or offering to sell insurance to a tenant; (2) including or offering to include insurance in a rental agreement; or (3) bundling or offering to bundle insurance with a rental agreement. Permits a tenant to bring a civil action for a violation, and specifies that a violation is a deceptive act actionable by the attorney general.
  • SB 214: RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT MATTERS (QADDOURA F) Provides that the court may appoint a receiver upon request by a county, city, or town when the property owner of a multifamily residential property with more than four dwelling units has failed to pay damages, costs, or attorney’s fees that have been incurred by the multifamily residential property in a nuisance action brought by the county, city, or town. Allows a city, county, or town to bring a nuisance action against a tenant or other person responsible for a nuisance. Defines “essential services” as certain services needed for the safe and habitable occupation by a tenant of the tenant’s rental unit. Defines “essential systems” as certain systems used to deliver essential services to a rental unit. Requires a landlord to provide and maintain a rental premises that is free from the following: (1) Pests, including rodents and invasive insects. (2) Mold. (3) Rot. Sets forth a procedure for a tenant to use to initiate a request for repairs. Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 72 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant’s rental unit is without essential services under certain circumstances. Provides, for purposes of the statutes regarding the rights of tenants who are victims of certain crimes, that evidence showing a tenant engaged in a protected activity not more than six months before the landlord’s alleged retaliatory conduct creates a rebuttable presumption that the purpose of the landlord’s conduct was retaliation. Specifies the evidence a landlord may show to rebut the presumption.
  • SB 232: LANDLORD NEXUS (QADDOURA F) Provides that, after June 30, 2025, a landlord may not manage a rental property in Indiana unless the landlord: (1) is authorized to do business in Indiana; (2) maintains an office at one or more physical locations in Indiana; or (3) appoints an Indiana licensed real estate broker or broker company to manage the rental property.
  • SB 235: LIMITATIONS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (JOHNSON T) Establishes prohibitions and requirements on state agencies, recipients of state contracts or grants, state educational institutions, and health profession licensing boards regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Provides that certain civil actions for noncompliance may be filed against a state educational institution. Establishes: (1) requirements regarding a standardized admissions test; and (2) requirements regarding altering academic standards; for postsecondary educational institutions that offer certain health education programs.
    • 1/22/2025 – Senate Judiciary, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing); Time & Location: 1:30 PM, Rm. 130
  • SB 300: RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT MATTERS (WALKER G) Provides that the court may appoint a receiver upon request by a county, city, or town when the property owner of a multifamily residential property with more than four dwelling units has failed to pay damages, costs, or attorney’s fees that have been incurred by the multifamily residential property in a nuisance action brought by the county, city, or town. Allows a city, county, or town to bring a nuisance action against a tenant or other person responsible for a nuisance. Defines “essential services” as certain services needed for the safe and habitable occupation by a tenant of the tenant’s rental unit. Defines “essential systems” as certain systems used to deliver essential services to a rental unit. Requires a landlord to provide and maintain a rental premises that is free from the following: (1) Pests, including rodents and invasive insects. (2) Mold. (3) Rot. Sets forth a procedure for a tenant to use to initiate a request for repairs. Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 72 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant’s rental unit is without essential services under certain circumstances. Allows for certain remedies to the tenant for the landlord’s noncompliance, including a procedure for the deposit of rent that is due with the clerk of the court if the landlord fails or refuses to make repairs or take remedial action. Provides that, during the pendency of a court action brought by a tenant, the court may order the tenant to make the regular rental payments otherwise due under the rental agreement to the clerk of the court or an attorney trust account, to be held in trust for disbursal to the prevailing party, as ordered by the court. Requires a clerk to collect a $30 fee from the landlord if the court finds that an escrow account is needed for the regular rental payments held by the clerk of the court. Provides that a landlord may apply for release of rent deposits. Provides that, after June 30, 2025, a landlord may not manage a rental property in Indiana unless the landlord: (1) is authorized to do business in Indiana; (2) maintains an office at one or more physical locations in Indiana; or (3) appoints an Indiana licensed real estate broker or broker company to manage the rental property. Makes conforming changes.
  • SB 338: DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE REPORTS (QADDOURA F) Requires the department of insurance, before November 1 of each year, to submit to the legislative council and the interim study committee on financial institutions and insurance: (1) a report regarding the total number of homeowner’s insurance complaints received by the department during the immediately preceding calendar year and any open homeowner’s insurance complaints from the immediately preceding calendar year; (2) a report regarding homeowner’s insurance claims and policies during the immediately preceding calendar year; and (3) a report regarding the Indiana FAIR Plan. Specifies the information to be included in each report.
  • SB 360: LANDLORD OBLIGATION TO PAY FINES BEFORE RENTAL (NIEZGODSKI D) Requires a landlord to pay all penalties or fines imposed by a political subdivision for violation of the landlord’s obligations with regard to a rental premises. Requires a landlord to pay all penalties or fines and make all repairs required by a political subdivision before the landlord may deliver the rental premises to a tenant.
  • SB 397: MATCHING GRANTS FOR HOME REPAIR PROJECTS (TAYLOR G) Establishes a matching grant pilot program (pilot program) that applies only in Marion County to make grants to individuals who: (1) are at least 65 years of age; (2) own a primary residence; and (3) have received funds from a nonprofit corporation to make repairs to the individual’s primary residence. Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (IHCDA) to administer the pilot program. Sets forth the maximum amount of a grant that an individual may receive from the grant fund. Provides for the expiration of the pilot program. Appropriates $1,000,000 to the IHCDA for deposit in the grant fund.
  • SB 401: LANDLORD TAX CREDIT (TAYLOR G) Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to a credit against the taxpayer’s state income tax liability in a taxable year equal to the lesser of: (1) $1,500 multiplied by the number of rental units that the taxpayer rents during a taxable year to individuals that were incarcerated at some time not more than three years prior to the taxable year; or (2) $7,500. Provides that to obtain the credit, the taxpayer must claim the credit in the manner prescribed by the department. Prohibits the taxpayer from claiming any carryover, carryback, or refund of any unused credit.
  • SB 411: SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTIES (POL R) Requires a unit to amend its zoning ordinance to specify the use, development standards, and findings of fact required to approve, deny, or make a recommendation on a special exception, special use, contingent use, conditional use, or use variance from the zoning ordinance with regard to a short term rental property. Provides that a property rented once during each of two consecutive years becomes ineligible for the standard homestead deduction.
  • SB 415: LANDLORD-TENANT MATTERS (POL R) Provides that, upon the request of a prospective tenant, a landlord must provide the prospective tenant with a written explanation of the landlord’s reasons for denying the tenant’s rental application. Requires a landlord to disclose the amount of a rental application fee in a listing advertising a rental unit as available for rent. Provides that a landlord may not charge a tenant a fee, fine, assessment, interest, or any other cost: (1) that is not stated in the rental agreement; or (2) in an amount greater than the amount stated in the rental agreement. Requires a landlord to return any excess amount to a tenant when the amount the tenant pays for a fee is greater than the actual cost to the landlord. Requires a landlord to provide a receipt of the landlord’s expense of fees paid by a tenant upon the request of the tenant.
  • SB 454: WHOLE HOME REPAIRS PROGRAM (TAYLOR G) Establishes the whole home repairs program to provide funding to eligible entities to: (1) award grants to local homeowners; and (2) make loans available for small landlords offering affordable units for rent; for certain home repairs.
  • SB 467: LANDLORD-TENANT MATTERS (NIEZGODSKI D) Provides that a landlord may not sell a residential rental property that is subject to an unexpired written lease unless the landlord gives written notice to the tenant not less than 60 days before the landlord lists the property for sale, unless certain exceptions apply. Requires a buyer of a residential rental property to honor an unexpired written lease between the previous owner and a tenant unless the buyer of the residential rental property: (1) gives to the tenant, not less than 30 days before the lease is terminated, written notice that the buyer intends to terminate the lease; and (2) pays the tenant an amount equal to one monthly rental payment plus the full security deposit. For purposes of a residential rental unit, defines: (1) “essential services” as certain utility services needed for the safe and habitable occupation by a tenant of the tenant’s rental unit; and (2) “essential systems” as certain systems used to deliver essential services to a rental unit. Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 48 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant’s rental unit is without essential services as a result of: (1) a malfunction in the essential system; or (2) the landlord’s failure to maintain the system in good and safe working condition. Provides that a tenant may enforce a statutory obligation of a landlord by: (1) providing 30 days notice to the landlord of the landlord’s noncompliance with the obligation; and (2) if the landlord fails to make the repairs necessary to remedy the noncompliance, withholding from the next regular rental payment the estimated cost of the repairs and using the amount withheld to make the repairs. Provides that, during the pendency of a court action brought by a tenant to enforce a statutory obligation of a landlord, the court may order the tenant to make the regular rental payments otherwise due to the landlord under the rental agreement to: (1) the clerk of the court; or (2) an attorney trust account; to be held in trust for disbursal to the prevailing party, as ordered by the court.
  • SB 537: HARD CREDIT INQUIRIES BY LANDLORDS (JACKSON L) Prohibits a landlord from doing the following in connection with an applicant’s application for the rental of a rental unit: (1) Making a hard inquiry to a consumer reporting agency or to a specialty consumer reporting agency for an applicant’s consumer report or for information in an applicant’s consumer report. (2) Obtaining or using a tenant screening report that includes information that is obtained through a hard inquiry to a consumer reporting agency or to a specialty consumer reporting agency for an applicant’s consumer report or for information in an applicant’s consumer report. Defines “hard inquiry” for purposes of these provisions as an inquiry that: (1) is noted on the consumer report of the applicant for a period of time following the inquiry; and (2) negatively impacts the applicant’s credit score. Provides that a landlord that violates the bill’s provisions commits a deceptive act that is actionable by an applicant and the attorney general under the Indiana statute concerning deceptive consumer sales.

Other legislative information:

Programs