On March 6, 2020, Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-06 which is a temporary prohibition on evictions and foreclosures which will remain in effect in Indiana until the state of emergency has been terminated.
Do I still have to pay my rent/mortgage?
Absolutely, the duty to pay rent/mortgage does not go away as a result of the state of emergency and the subsequent executive order. While during this time it may be hard, you must continue to make payments as agreed. If you are unable to make payments as agreed to, make sure you take the initiative and contact your lender or landlord to let them know. Work with your landlord or lender to set up a payment plan and do your best to make payments accordingly.
Remember, this order only prevents a landlord or lender from filing for an eviction or foreclosure while this state of emergency is in place. Once the state of emergency has been lifted, evictions and foreclosures can again be filed.
What if I can’t pay my rent/mortgage
Generally speaking, landlords and lenders do not want to foreclose on nor evict people; they want to be paid as agreed upon and only resort to such measures as an enforcement mechanism. That being said, you can expect that most landlords and lenders will be very understanding in the months to come, but it is important to keep in mind that most will not allow themselves to be taken advantage of. Keeping an open line of communication by reaching out to your lender or landlord is very important and doing so could go a long way in preventing an eviction or foreclosure from being filed.
If you find yourself falling behind on your mortgage or rent payments and fear eviction or foreclosure, do not hesitate to call our office to discuss what options might be available to you.