Indiana evictions rates expected to climb; free online course available for renters
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The pandemic has put thousand at risk for eviction.
For some, it’s already become a reality.
But, experts said, it’s not too late to try to shift the odds.
Indiana has one of the highest eviction rates in the country. Experts said Indiana also has some of the worse tenant laws on the books.
Bu, the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership’s free, online course on successful renting aims to help tenants cope with the pandemic, and now may be a good time to learn the basics.
Renting a first apartment or home can be a little scary. But even so, many people never get any guidance. They just tend to learn as they go.
“I would say communication is honestly the best thing parents should especially teach their kids. How to read a lease, and how to tell when a landlord is not a very good landlord,” renter Kayla Havenor said.
Havenor said she’s learned some painful lessons.
“It’s always important to read everything before you sign it because sometimes people like to sneak stuff in there.”
With job losses due to the pandemic and delays in rent payments, eviction rates in Indiana are expected to rise even higher. But, experts said, a little extra financial planning and knowing your rights as a tenant could help.
“During this pandemic, we do know that renters are struggling right now. And we don’t want our families to have to struggle to make ends meet,” said Laurie Jones, a director with the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership. “So being a smart renter is key and it ends up where you can lay the foundation for if you desire homeownership down the road.”
A lof of the work Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership does centers around educating not only potential homeowners but also renters. For a while now, it’s been offering a successful renting course free and online. The course covers a variety of topics dealing with types of leases, tenant rights, financial planning and more
“Families who are going through the effects of the pandemic, it’s critical that you act fast,” Jones said.
People can complete the course on a computer or on a smartphone in about 30 minutes.