- Are you a tenant who lives in Lucas County?
- Are you a landlord who rents property in Lucas County?
- Are you experiencing a landlord-tenant dispute?
- Want the help of a neutral third party in resolving this problem?
- Interested in exploring whether a free, relatively quick, and informal process would work for you?
The mediation services offered by The Fair Housing Center can help.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that brings disputing parties together in a neutral setting to resolve conflicts. The mediator does not impose a solution, but rather helps the parties decide on a mutually satisfying agreement. Mediators facilitate and help the parties arrive at their own agreement.
Benefits of Mediation
- Informal
- Confidential
- Emphasizes cooperative problem solving
- Broad range of landlord-tenant issues accepted
Cost Savings
Mediation services are free and help parties avoid costly court cases.
Time Savings
Mediations can be scheduled more quickly than other alternative options.
Better Outcomes
Mediation may provide more creative resolutions tailored to your situation. The courts are limited in the remedies they can grant under the law. The mediation process greatly benefits those in an ongoing landlord-tenant relationship as both parties work together to reach mutually agreeable solutions. This process fosters a better long-term relationship.
What Can Be Mediated?
Some typical issues or problems that can be addressed in mediation include:
- Habitability issues
- Entry for repairs
- Security deposit disputes
- Noise complaints
- Privacy rights
- Rent due dates/late fees
- Move-out agreements
- Reasonable accommodation and reasonable modification requests
Mediation can cover additional topics and both sides must agree to mediate.
Likewise, any resolution requires the parties to willingly agree; no decision is imposed on them. If no agreement is reached, the parties are free to pursue other remedies.
How Does Mediation Work?
Contact us to speak to our intake specialists. They can determine whether your case is right for mediation.
The mediator will contact both parties and, if they agree, schedule a mediation date that works for everyone.
The mediation may take place either over the phone or at The Fair Housing Center. Mediation will be conducted by a trained mediator who will listen to each party’s concerns. The mediator will help the parties try to work out a mutually agreeable solution and develop ways to communicate more effectively.
If the parties reach an agreement, actionable items will be written up for the parties to sign as a commitment to their resolution.
Resources
Funding for this program is provided by:
