Should You Try to Seek Help from a Mediator in the Case of Conflict?

If your settlement efforts are unsuccessful, you may wish to try bringing in a neutral third party to mediate. The mediator does not have the authority to impose a decision, but merely to help both sides work out an acceptable solution for everyone.

Mediation can make good sense, especially if any of the following are true:

• You’ve had otherwise positive experiences with the tenant.

• The tenant agrees to apportion the mediation costs (if any).

• The tenant wants to avoid eviction and the expense and delay of litigation.

• The tenant is up to date on rent (or has cooperated by putting the rent money into some type of escrow account).