Indiana's Renter's Rights

https://fox59.com/news/residents-go-up-to-nine-months-without-repairs-at-west-side-apartment-complex/

https://cbs4indy.com/news/cbs4-problem-solvers-finds-dangerous-issues-went-unrepaired-for-years-at-west-side-apartments/

https://fox59.com/news/woman-wins-eviction-case-after-health-department-takes-landlords-to-court/

Person: Anon. Location: Norcal - *Interview*

As new parents, ----- and I had to move into our own place FAST before the baby came, because we needed a home of our own for ---- and us.

It has been an ongoing battle against many things wrong with the house.

(Basement smells like PISS, drawers in kitchen are broken, swamp cooler is filled with lime scale, heater was broken, fridge door wouldn't stay closed, previous tenants left laundry IN the washer with water in it, the windows don't open in most of the rooms, the electricity running all the main lights in the house kept going out, 2 outlets didn't work, floor boards are loose and falling in behind our front door, etc)

BUT THE WORST PART???

COCKROACHES!!!

We have had pest control come 3x to spray inside everything, around everything, and eve in the basement and outside the house.

They KEEP coming back. Our neighbors on both sides say they have the same problem!

The other day, I was brushing my teeth and saw something move out of the corner of my eye, and looked.

There was a COCKROACH crawling on my shoulder, heading to my neck.

THIS IS DISGUSTING!!!

I: Have you had any contact with the health department? Have you alerted your landlord of these problems? Do you have any documentation stating you are responsible for any pest that come?

The landlord has a list

Some items have been fixed, but with major 'tude from her.

She stated verbally that we are responsible for the pests, because they already sprayed 1x before we moved in

I:Did your lease have any rights listed?

Not that we see

But according to HUD the lease form our landlord is using is decades outdated

I:Where are you located? Just state is fine.

Norcal

I am a disabled Navy Veteran, so I can't just up and move, willy nilly. (Limited income, limited strength to lift things, loads of pain)

Has any of your living conditions affected you or your families health?

Just quality of life, that we know of

Understandable. What do you feel would be suitable additions to renting as a tenant? examples; prompt service on emergencies or noted problems, secure plumbing and heating/cooling, etc.?

Problems being fixed in a timely manner

Limited amount of bugs

No smell of urea in the basement

Be allowed to USE said basement, since they sealed it off AFTER I signed the lease.

Anything else you would like to see happen in Norcal for renters?

Less price gauging for rental deposits, or perhaps the ability to pay deposits in increments with monthly rent, for low income families

I would like the mentality to change, about low income families not needing livable situations. The whole"beggars can't be choosers" mentality is harmful.

Person: Anonymous . Location: Indianapolis, IN . - *Story*

Our neighbor, a mother of two young children mind you, has been experiencing roaches and fleas for the two months she has been living there. Upon notice and reporting to management, they claimed it was not there at move-in as she disagreed and noticed flea bites on her youngest child. She was also instructed outrageous pet fees and other fees that were not logged in her lease, nor was given any notice of change to the community.

Person: Heather. Location: Indianapolis, IN. - *Story*

We moved here in October, we barely had anything so it was impossible to bring anything with us. At move-in, I listed everything wrong and emailed management for verification of things we needed fixed. I was promised continuously for 6 months that things were going to be fixed; the maintenance man came by several times during that 6 months and would always ask if he could come by a different date, of which he never did. It took me emailing my management, for the safety of my children, due to a gas leak they never capped, along with all of the other harmful and frustrating problems. After explaining I was willing to work with them, but wasn't going to risk my children's safety, I had the HUD on speed dial and was ready to report; They came with a contractor dressed gentleman, went through and checked all of the problems- only to half way fix or neglect completely. The things they did fix are still lacking motors due to not being fixed properly, we still have no way to use our stove and oven, we're still battling roaches and ants, still are fighting for things to be fixed.

Recently, I emailed management due possibly having to pay my rent twice this month. I stated these things were happening due to having to get an exterminator due to my neighbors complaints of pests. They responded with their usual comments of "it's in the lease", at this point I was livid. I responded with a long response of knowing my rights, knowing my responsibilities, but these were move-in checklist items. I also told them I knew one of their managers had been out to some of these residences and in turn, responded to my emails calling me a liar. I have kept all of my evidence, all of my communication and I was saving the email I was sending for any retaliation they may pull.

My next door neighbor, also a childhood friend, moved in next door and began having problems almost immediately. Her windows leaked when it rained, her floor was rotting out and they're trying to pin all the costs and the renovations on her, using the lease as their scapegoat. She has lived here 6 months, still trying to get access to help.

I will have lived here a year in October, still awaiting procedures to be finished and not getting anywhere. I'll be told one thing and another happens. It's completely outrageous.