Landlord/Tenant Mediation

With the assistance of a mediator, tenants and landlords can agree on payment plans, repairs and more.

If the tenant is not able to keep up with the rental payments, then the landlord and tenant can also agree on a move out date, rather than going to court.

Mediating at the Mediation Center vs. On-site Mediation at District Court

Small Claims court is typically where most landlord/tenant disputes get filed, including eviction actions through the summary possession process. While mediation is mandatory on-site at court before the Judge will hear the case, accessing mediation first at the Mediation Center has many benefits including:

Anytime there is an issue between a landlord and a tenant, mediation is a good first step to consider, before the situation becomes too emotional or the tenant is too far behind in paying the rent.

  • Mediation sessions at the Mediation Center are scheduled for three hours to provide a sufficient amount of time for the landlord and the tenant to explore options and create detailed agreements, whereas mediation at court is generally limited to 30 – 40 minute sessions.
  • Mediation sessions at the Mediation Center are scheduled at a day and time that work for the parties, whereas the Court will determine the day and time you must report for your case.
  • Prior to participating in mediation at the Mediation Center, tenants are encouraged to work with a credit counselor to help them come up with realistic payment plans and proposals that a landlord will more likely agree to in mediation.
  • If an agreement is not reached in mediation, a claim can still be filed at District Court.

Landlord/Tenant Mediation Presentations

Mediation Assistance with The Mediation Center of the Pacific. Hosted by the Office of Economic Revitalization (January 17, 2023)