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Have you lost wages, been sick, or incurred extraordinary medical expenses due to the novel #coronavirus? Wondering how you will pay your rent next month?

Take a look at these sample letters to communicate with your landlord and help you find a solution.

SAMPLE COVID-19 LETTER (or EMAIL) TO LANDLORD IN INDIANA

[Date]
[Landlord’s name]
[Landlord’s address]

Dear [Name]:

I, [Name], am a tenant at [address].

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and Governor Eric Holcomb’s Stay-at-Home Executive Order now in effect, [explain how you have lost wages, been sick, or incurred extraordinary medical expenses due to the virus].

As a result, I will be unable to pay rent next mopnth and possibly for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, or until something changes in the situation.

In the next few days, I will provide documentation confirming my current inability to pay rent.

Some other considerations that you may be aware of:

  • Under Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order of March 19, 2020, rental property owners may not initiate or begin an eviction proceeding against tenants until the public health emergency is declared over and the Order is listed.
  • Under Indiana tenant-landlord law, a rental property owner may not change the locks or cut off the utilities without a court order.

I would like to preserve a good relationship and continue to be a tenant here after the COVID-19 emergency is over. I will make my rent current as soon as I am able.

In the meantime, I would like to discuss a mutual agreement or payment plan to address this issue.   I would appreciate speaking by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx at your earliest convenience to discuss a solution.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,
[signature]
[Name]

 Adapted from language provided by the Right to the City Alliance and Justice Unlocked.

NOTE: This is not legal guidance. Please consult with an attorney for legal matters.

SAMPLE COVID-19 LETTER FOR EMPLOYER TO SIGN

[Date]

[Name]
[Business]
[Address]

[Employee Name] has worked for me for the past [months/years].  We have had to reduce [employee name]’s hours from [xx] per week to [xx] per week because of the impacts of the COVID-19 virus.  This has substantially reduced the amount of income s/he has been able to earn.

Sincerely,

[signature]
[Name]

Adapted from language provided by the Right to the City Alliance.

NOTE: This is not legal guidance. Please consult with an attorney for legal matters.