Indianapolis News and HeadlinesIndiana Coronavirus News

Actions

Steps you can take if you can't afford rent during COVID-19 pandemic

Posted at 6:59 PM, Mar 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-19 15:28:57-04

INDIANAPOLIS — As the first of the month approaches, some people are out of work and wondering how they are going to pay rent.

Attorneys who spoke to RTV6 say they have been getting calls from renters who are worried what will happen if they can't pay their rent.

"Tenants are very afraid right now and for good reason," attorney Troy Tyson said. "We've never seen anything like this."

NEWSLETTER | Get the latest news about COVID-19 in Indiana from RTV6 delivered straight to your inbox.

Tyson says even though the governor made a call to help bring relief, some people are still worried.

"The governor issued an executive order a couple of weeks ago that's going to stay all eviction activities so that's frozen right now, but he makes clear in that order tenants are to continue paying their rent," Tyson said.

He says he thinks landlords and judges will extend some grace to those who are impacted.

Right now it's best not to rely on that notion, Tyson says. He says renters should do their best to pay on time and work out something with their landlords.

"Tenants should make every effort to abide by their agreement as much as possible beginning and ending with paying that rent on time," Tyson said.

For some renters like Nick Tolver, the impact of layoffs is hitting full force.

"We have one paycheck left," Tolver said. "We can pay our bills for this month, it's the following it's not getting better."

Him and his wife both aren't working right now and are worried they won't be able to pay all of their bills.

They know this pandemic will pass, but right now it's hard to see what the future holds.

You can reach out to Tyson's law firm with questions here, or Indiana Legal Services here. You can also find more information from the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic here or the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society here.