A Free Service for Monroe County Landlords and Tenants
Monroe County Seniors’ Express Times
Helping Our Community Resolve Eviction Disputes
• Are you a tenant who lives in Monroe County? Are you worried about being evicted?
• Are you a landlord who rents property in Monroe County? Are you experiencing a landlord-tenant dispute regarding eviction?
• Do you want the help of a neutral third party in resolving this problem?
• Are you interested in exploring whether a free, relatively quick, and informal process would work for you?
The mediation services offered by Pocono Mountains United Way can help.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that brings both sides together to resolve conflicts. The mediator does not make a decision, but rather helps both sides come to an agreement.
Benefits of Mediation
~ Informal
~ Confidential
~ Uses cooperation to solve problems
~ Cost Savings - Mediation services are free and help both sides avoid costly court cases.
~ Time Savings - Mediations can be scheduled more quickly than other options.
~ Better Outcomes - Mediation may provide more creative solutions tailored to your situation.
~ The courts are limited in the remedies they can grant under the law. The mediation process benefits both landlords and tenants as each side works together to reach an agreement that works for everyone. This process creates a better long-term relationship. Across the country, eviction mediation programs have an 85-90% success rate in avoiding eviction.
Who Can Mediation Help?
At this time, mediations are limited to serving tenants with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level (see table below) and who have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Both landlord and tenant must agree to try mediation. Likewise, any solution requires both sides to agree; no decision is made for them. If no agreement is reached, both sides are free to pursue other remedies.
How Does Mediation Work?
1.Landlord or tenant contact us for intake.
2.The mediator will contact both sides and, if they agree, schedule a mediation date that works for everyone.
3.The mediation can be scheduled either in person or virtually.
4.Mediation will be conducted by a trained mediator who will listen to each side’s concerns. The mediator will help to work out a solution that is agreed to by both landlord and tenant.
5.If a resolution is reached, the mediator will write up an agreement for both sides to sign as a commitment to their solution.
Contact Pocono Mountains United Way at 570-261-8023, or visit PoconoUnitedWay.org.
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