Housing Rights is delighted to have secured the contract to continue the housing mediation service. The new contract is funded by the Landlord Registration Scheme. Prior to this it operated as a pilot since 2019.
The housing mediation service is completely free of charge, offering an alternative to expensive court action. It is available to tenants, registered landlords, unregistered landlords, letting agents, and housing associations in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland.
The service can mediate disputes over property standards, repairs, entry rights, arrears, unprotected tenancy deposits, breach of tenancy terms, noise/antisocial behavior and threatened evictions.
When both parties involved in the dispute agree to take part in mediation, an independent mediator with specialist housing knowledge will help them seek a way out of conflict through dialogue and conversation, to reach an agreement that works for everyone.
Kim Murphy, Housing Mediation Lead at Housing Rights said:
“We’re delighted to have secured the contract to continue the housing mediation service. During the pilot phase mediation proved to be a helpful way of managing difficult situations and we were able to help many private tenants and landlords by opening up the communication and helping them come to realistic solutions. Agreements reached by mediation helped to prevent evictions and sustain tenancies".
Mediation can take place either in person, over the phone or online via zoom.
Those who feel they could benefit from the service can make a referral below or contact Housing Rights:
Call: 028 902 45640
Email: [email protected]