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Donato: Bill to ensure landlord accountability heads to governors desk

STATEHOUSE (March 14, 2023) – A bill co-authored by State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) that would ensure the accountability of Indiana landlords passed the General Assembly unanimously and is now headed to the governor for final consideration.

Senate Enrolled Act 114 would allow utility companies to ask courts to appoint receivers over certain landlords who have failed to pay the utility bills for their properties.

This applies only to properties of four units or more, and does not apply to cases where the tenants pay their service bills directly to the utility company.

The legislation was brought forward after an Indiana landlord collected payments for utilities from residents, only to not pass it on to the complex's utility company. Subsequently, the landlord accrued over $1 million in unpaid bills and water was shut off to hundreds of tenants on the property.

"Landlords have a responsibility to their tenants to maintain the integrity and livability of their homes," Donato said. "No tenant should ever have to worry about utilities they have already paid for, and Senate Enrolled Act 114 provides measures to prevent this and allow renters to feel more secure."

SEA 114 garnered support from multiple organizations including Citizens Energy Group, the Indiana Apartment Association, AARP Indiana and many others.

The governor has until March 20 to take action on the bill.

Learn more about SEA 114 and other legislation at iga.in.gov.

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State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) represents Senate District 18,
which includes Cass, Fulton and Miami counties, and portions of Howard and Kosciusko counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.