‘Deplorable conditions’ at La Porte mobile home park leads to lawsuit by Attorney General Todd Rokita

Residents forced to bathe in and drink brown and yellow water — or else rely on store-bought supplies

Decrying a landlord’s alleged neglect of a La Porte mobile home park and the residents who lived there, Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a civil lawsuit against Deerfield Estates MHP LLC, the owner and operator of Deerfield Estates Mobile Home Park. 

The lawsuit alleges that the defendant failed to meet basic habitability standards and violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (DCSA).  

“Hoosiers deserve safe and livable housing, plain and simple,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The deplorable conditions at Deerfield Estates — dirty water, low pressure, extended shutoffs, and a lack of proper oversight — are unacceptable.” 

The lawsuit, filed in state court in the La Porte County Circuit/Superior Court, seeks restitution, civil penalties and costs on behalf of affected residents who have endured substandard living conditions due to the defendant’s alleged negligence. 

“My office will not stand by while vulnerable residents, including seniors, are exploited by landlords who shirk their legal responsibilities,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We are holding Deerfield Estates accountable and fighting to protect the rights of Indiana families.” 

The complaint alleges that Deerfield Estates failed to comply with multiple state laws, including: 

• Indiana Code § 32-31-8-5(4)(B), requiring landlords to maintain plumbing systems providing a reasonable supply of hot and cold running water at all times. 

• Indiana Code § 16-41-27-9, mandating the presence of an adult attendant or caretaker at the mobile home community. 

• Indiana Code § 16-41-27-10, requiring an adequate water supply, either through a public system or an approved alternative. 

Residents have reported severe issues, including yellow or brown water discoloring clothing, prolonged water shutoffs (including a 29-day boil advisory), flooding from leaks, and inadequate communication about service disruptions. 

The lawsuit further claims that Deerfield Estates improperly billed residents for water leaks it was legally obligated to repair, using an unfair Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) that does not reflect actual usage. 

In addition, the park operated for months without a designated caretaker, leaving residents without a point of contact for maintenance or billing concerns. This lack of oversight exacerbated the water quality and supply problems, forcing residents to purchase bottled water for cooking and bathing. 

Acting in the public interest, the Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Unit seeks: 

• Injunctive relief ordering the owner to repair the water lines and to refrain from disconnecting residents from water access. 

• Restitution to impacted consumers. 

• Treble damages for senior consumers affected by these violations. 

• Civil penalties of up to $5,000 per knowing violation of the DCSA. 

• Reimbursement of investigation and prosecution costs. 

“This is about justice for Hoosiers who have been let down by a landlord prioritizing profits over people,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure accountability and protect Indiana’s consumers.” 

Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General about any suspected scams or scam attempts. Consumers can file a complaint by visiting indianaconsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.  

The lawsuit is attached here. 

A headshot of Attorney General Rokita is available for download. 

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