Mediation Program

Our innovative, grant-funded landlord-tenant mediation program aims to resolve conflict, avoid eviction, and save money for landlords and tenants alike, with mediator costs covered for both parties. This program has been extended through June 30, 2025.

ERA Funded Landlord-Tenant Mediation Program

Apply for the Program

For those who qualify, our program can help landlords and tenants come to mutually agreeable solutions without the expense, time, and stress of going through the courts. Along with achieving concrete goals and working through specific disagreements, successful mediation can improve the landlord-tenant relationship and increase housing stability—which benefits all parties.

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Mediation can help landlords and tenants address any issues that, left unresolved, may lead to legal action, including:

  • Lease violations, including rent nonpayment or underpayment
  • Repeated rule-breaking for issues such as noise complaints, housekeeping, damage, and more
  • Conflict surrounding landlord apartment entry, administration of utilities, and more

Regardless of the issue at hand, mediation has a high success rate for resolving disputes between willing parties.
During mediation, an assigned professional mediator acts as a neutral third person to help parties find common ground and workable solutions to ongoing disputes. Mediation is a voluntary process that, when successful, avoids lengthy and expensive court proceedings. Unlike a judge, a mediator cannot make a final ruling or determination—rather, they support the parties to find mutually agreeable solutions and reach an agreement.

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Landlords and tenants do not need to have an active court case. Qualification is based on tenant income, with an income cap of 80% of area median income for household size, as well as other factors. See income limits here. There is no income cap for landlords. Tenants who receive rental assistance through the Reach Up ERA program (AHS/DCF) may also apply.

To qualify for the program, both parties must complete required application steps.

  • Landlords need to submit an application directly to the mediation program.
  • Tenants qualify for the program by submitting a tenant referral form and meeting the income limits provided for ERAP Housing Stability Services at or below 80% of area median income.

At this time, we anticipate that all parties who qualify will be approved, so we encourage you to apply if you have a conflict with your landlord or tenant.
The mediation process is typically much quicker than going through the courts. After both parties indicate their willingness to participate through an application to the program (landlords) and eligibility is met at or below 80% of area median income (tenants), a mediator is generally assigned within a week.

At that point, the landlord and tenant are free to work directly with the mediator to find a mutually convenient time to meet. While some issues may be resolved in one session, other times more than one session is needed. Within reason, the program offers the flexibility to cover the number of sessions an individual case needs to come to resolution.
  1. Landlord and tenant agree to mediation
  2. Tenant submits referral form
  3. Landlord applies
  4. Upon approval, a mediator is assigned
  5. Both parties schedule time with the mediator
  6. Additional sessions are scheduled as needed
  7. The cost of mediation, up to $3,000, is covered by the program. We have found that most mediations can be accomplished and fully funded by the program.