INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Opponents are warning that a Republican push to block Indiana cities from regulating rental properties threatens existing local protections for tenants and would tilt state law heavily in favor of landlords.
The proposal remained under negotiations Tuesday by House and Senate members. The possible restrictions emerged two weeks ago as Republicans took up the limits as the Democratic-controlled Indianapolis City-County Council approved an ordinance that included allowing fines against landlords who retaliate against renters over living condition complaints.
Republican leaders argue that tenant-landlord regulations should be uniform statewide, but tenant advocates maintain the proposal would be unfair to the some 2 million Indiana residents living in rental housing.