A former employee reached out to me recently and shared a document that was created while they were still employed by MiddleTown Property Group. Every once in a while, MiddleTown Property Group accidentally hires a decent person who is horrified by what they witness during their time there and take what action they can behind the scenes to help tenants avoid falling victim. The person who created this document and shared it with me is one of them.
After becoming aware of MiddleTown Property Group Sucks, they added a link to this campaign to the document and emailed it to me. Please share this with everyone you know who currently lives in or is considering moving into a property that is owned and/or managed by MiddleTown Property Group.
Below is a slightly reformatted version of that document. You can download an original copy of the PDF that was shared with me here.
Tenants: Know Your Rights and How to Take Action
Tenants: Know Your Options
This is an educational document only and is not legal advice. It has been compiled by someone without a legal background. Please do your own research or seek legal counsel before taking legal action.
Health Code Issues and Building Maintenance: What if my landlord is not fulfilling their responsibility to maintain a habitable property?
Process for Reporting Violations:
- Contact the landlord first and ask for repairs in a timely manner. Follow the procedures outlined in your lease. Use a channel of communication in which you can keep a record that you made a request.
- Document the issue with photos, videos, and written logs.
- If the maintenance is not completed in a timely manner, contact your landlord again in writing to notify them of your intent to report a health code violation.
- Contact the relevant agency with your complaint (see list below).
See more about this process here: Off-Campus Living – Ball State University
IMPORTANT NOTE: Indiana law does not protect withholding rent for any reason, including maintenance issues. We are also one of only five states that does not allow rent escrow (where you pay it to a judge until the landlord fixes the issues). Yes, this REALLY sucks. You can still choose to withhold your rent, but in all likelihood, it will result in your eviction.
See here for more information: Renters in other states have laws to protect them … that’s not the case in Indiana.
What are examples of health code violations you can report?
- fire safety issues — exits not clear, nonfunctional smoke detectors, fire extinguishers past their expiration/inspection dates, etc
- waste not being removed
- propensity for disease or unsanitary conditions, such as mold or chipping lead paint
- pest infestations
- lack of working water, electricity, heat, or plumbing
- structural issues (ex: leaky roof causing collapse)
See here for more information: What Are Tenant Rights in Indiana?
Where to Report Health Code Violations:
- Indiana Fire Code Violations
- Muncie Fire Code Violations
- Fire Department Chief Inspector dmiller@cityofmuncie.com
- Delaware County Health Department
- 765-747-7721
- dwilkins@co.delaware.in.us
- Muncie Building Commissioner’s Office
Housing Discrimination
It is illegal to discriminate in housing based on protected legal categories. If you believe you have experienced discrimination based on the Fair Housing Act, contact one of the organizations below.
- All Indiana:
- 800 628 2909
- Indiana Civil Rights Commission
- All USA:
- Fair Housing Center Indiana
- 317-644-0673
- If you are denied your ESA/charged for an ESA, you can file a complaint here: Assistance Animals
Other Rights You Have as a Tenant
Your landlord cannot:
- withhold or tamper with mail
- withhold security deposit refund after 45 days of move out
- evict without notice
- raise rent in the middle of the lease
- deny service animals or require you to disclose detailed medical history to prove you need one (here is a document outlining what they can and cannot require from you: Assessing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act)
- enter your unit without advance notice, except in the case of an emergency
General Legal Resources
- Indiana Legal Services Inc
- 844-243-8570
- Frank Brinkman Law
- Indiana Attorney General (you can file a complaint if you believe your landlord is using deceptive business practices)
- Eviction Defense at Pro Bono Indiana
- Directory of Places to Receive Free Legal Counsel when Being Evicted (filter by issue of “eviction” and your location)
- Tenant Organizations:
If you are facing eviction, PLEASE take advantage of free resources near you, if there are any. Tenants are much more likely to be evicted when they have no lawyer or have not received any legal counsel.
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