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(INDIANAPOLIS) – 300 community, fair housing, and civil rights groups are calling on legislators to kill a bill giving more power to landlords.

A late-arriving amendment in the House would nullify any local ordinances on landlord-tenant relationships, from evictions to criteria for screening renters. Fair housing groups argue Indiana landlords are already among the nation’s most aggressive in pursuing evictions. They warn the bill would leave tenants little protection against bad landlords.

Brian Copes with Helping Veterans and Families, which works with veterans on housing issues, says his organization has worked with clients who were threatened with eviction after complaining to the health department about living conditions. One client went directly to the property owner about a cockroach infestation, and complained the landlord responded by placing roach traps around his bed.

The bill bans landlords from retaliating against renters who make complaints. But the Indianapolis Urban League points out tenants who take a retaliation case to court could only win a month’s rent, while the property owner could collect legal fees.

The Senate hasn’t considered the language yet. A House-Senate negotiating committee has until Wednesday to decide whether to keep, modify or drop the provision.