• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Housing4Hoosiers

Housing4Hoosiers

Housing4Hoosiers Site

Menu
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Close
  • Housing
      • Sept 2017 2017-09-08 043FIND IT
        • What Is Affordable Housing?
        • Top Tips for Tenants
        • How Should I Avoid Scams?
      • dad – Photo by Chris BensonRENT IT
        • Download Renting in Indiana, 2nd Edition
        • Renting with a Low Income
        • The Smart Renter Checklist
        • Understanding Your Lease
        • Should I Have a Roommate?
        • Move-In/Move-Out Inspections
        • Leasing Your Property To Tenants with Vouchers
      • 55545-Photo by Christopher Harris on UnsplashKEEP IT
        • Resources for Renters
        • Keep Your Stuff Safe
        • Ins and Outs of Eviction
    • Close
  • Your Rights
    • BE ACCESSIBLE
      • Seven Accessibility Requirements Under the Fair Housing Act
      • Fair Housing and the Rights of People with Disabilities
    • BE FAIR
      • If You Think You Are Being Discriminated Against
    • YOUR RENTAL RIGHTS
      • What Are Tenant Rights in Indiana?
    • Close
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Assistance & Resources
    • Shelter from the Storm Report
    • Help With Housing Needs
    • Accessibility Resources
    • Events
    • Close
  • HHNC
    • Evicted in Indiana
    • Policy Priorities
    • Previous Blog Posts
    • Close
  • News
  • Contact
  • Share Your Experience

COVID-19: Letters for Renters

I can't pay my rent now. What do I say to my landlord?

March 28, 2020 by Housing4Hoosiers

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.

 

Filed Under: Resources, H4H Advice Tagged With: rights, landlord, tenant, renter, COVID-19, rent, payment

Primary Sidebar

Related Articles

  • Housing & Eviction Prevention Project
  • Indiana COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
  • When #StayingHomeTogether Creates Conflict
  • How High Should My Utility Bills Be?
Download your free copy of Renting in Indiana: A Handbook for Tenants and Landlords
Renting In Indiana
Download

Search Housing4Hoosiers

Footer

Housing4Hoosiers is a program of Prosperity Indiana.
1099 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN, 46204
(317) 222-1221
Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

GET HOUSING4HOOSIERS NEWS

Complete the form to stay updated on Housing4Hoosier news!
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software

Download your free copy of Renting in Indiana: A Handbook for Tenants and Landlords

Download

Recent Posts

  • Housing Coalition: New Stories and Data Reveal dangers of SEA 148 that imperil NCAA visitors and Hoosiers alike
  • Applications for Indiana’s Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) Program Now Available
  • Housing coalition: General Assembly leadership must bring solutions to the table to fix newly-enacted SEA 148
  • Prosperity Indiana and Indiana United Ways Release Shelter from the Storm
  • Restrictions on reopened Indiana Rental Assistance Portal will prevent many needy Hoosiers from getting help

Search Housing4Hoosiers

Translate Housing4Hoosiers

Copyright © 2021 · Housing4Hoosiers
Website Designed by Toohill Consulting