A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning property.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide detailed information about a 'repair fund' term or its meaning.

Fixing Rental Homes Faster

This bill sets rules for landlords to fix essential items in rental homes within 24 hours and allows tenants to request help from enforcement agencies if repairs are not made on time.

What This Bill Does

• Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential item, such as heating or plumbing, within 24 hours after being notified by the tenant that these services are missing.
• Allows tenants to ask an enforcement agency to inspect and fix essential items if the landlord does not do it within 24 hours.
• Gives the enforcement agency permission to fix or replace items themselves and charge the landlord for costs, plus a $500 penalty.
• Requires new rental agreements after June 30, 2026, to include rules that let tenants get their deposits back if repairs are not made within seven days.

Who It Names or Affects

• Landlords who own and manage residential rental properties in Indiana.
• Tenants living in rental homes in Indiana.
• Enforcement agencies responsible for ensuring buildings meet safety standards.

Terms To Know

enforcement authority

An agency that checks if buildings meet safety rules and can make repairs or order landlords to do so.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if the landlord cannot pay the repair costs or penalty.
• It is unclear how existing rental agreements will be affected before June 30, 2026.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning property.
Repair of residential rental properties.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning property.

Repair of residential rental properties.

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, 2026, 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.