Mediation for housing disputes: how it works and when to use it

Mediation settles a dispute without court. In housing, it can sometimes help landlord and tenant agree on repairs, money owed, or other rows. Here is how it works, and whether it might help you.

What is mediation?

In mediation, a neutral person called a mediator helps the two sides talk, and try for a deal. The mediator decides nobody right. They help both sides weigh options and negotiate.

Mediation is voluntary. Both sides must agree to take part. It runs in person, by phone, or online.

Can mediation help with housing disrepair?

Mediation fits many kinds of housing row:

• Rows over repairs and upkeep
• Rent arrears disagreements
• Deposit rows
• Neighbour rows over noise or behaviour
• Disagreements over tenancy terms

For disrepair, the pre-action protocol says landlord and tenant should try sorting things without a court case where possible. Trying mediation counts.

What is good about mediation?

• Usually faster and cheaper than court
• Private, where a court hearing is public
• Both sides hold more say over the outcome than in court
• The landlord-tenant relationship can stay workable
• A deal reached can bind legally, written up properly

What are its limits?

• It works only where both sides will take part
• It forces no repairs; only an agreement or a court order does that
• A landlord clearly in the wrong may mean a court claim gets you more: an order for repairs, plus compensation
• A mediator decides no facts and awards no money

Where can I find a mediator?

• Your council. Many offer free or low-cost mediation.
• The Civil Mediation Council directory at civilmediation.org lists accredited mediators.
• Some solicitors arrange mediation inside a disrepair claim.

Should I try mediation before making a disrepair claim?

The pre-action protocol encourages settling first, mediation included. But a landlord refusing to take part, or urgent repairs, means no duty to try every other route before court.

Health at risk, or a home unfit to live in? Get legal advice fast. That comes first.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. We can say whether mediation, or a court claim, is your right route.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.