Landlord-Tenant Mediations
Mediation is available to anyone wanting to resolve landlord-tenant issues, either before a case has been filed in court or after.
Mediation is a voluntary meeting between a landlord and tenant, where each person has the chance to give their perspective on the situation and then hear the other person’s perspective. The parties then work to find a mutually beneficial outcome. Conclusions are written and signed by both parties.
Possible scenarios include the following:
Payment plans that will enable the tenant to stay in their home
Decide on a move-out date
Resolve repair concerns
Deal with neighborhood problems
Benefits to mediating before you file in court:
Reduced expenses if tenant can stay and make it work – landlord won’t have to incur expenses involved with preparing for new tenant.
Can the tenant afford to stay?
Decide on a workable payment plan that can be kept.
Fewer hostile feelings as landlord and tenant part ways.
In Kansas City, after court filing has occurred, mediation is offered the morning of your court hearing at no charge. The benefits to mediation at court over going to trial include the following:
Reduced legal expenses – You’ll receive your judgment/continuance the morning of your hearing.
You may experience fewer hostile feelings toward each other, so any future interactions can be more amicable.