Resolve Landlord-Tenant Disputes Without Housing Court.
Lease disagreements, security deposits, repairs, move-out disputes — Real Property Forum helps landlords and tenants reach a resolution remotely, often in a single session, without the cost or delay of housing court.
Serving New York, New Jersey, Connecticut & Beyond · Fully remote · Confidential
The Problem
Housing court is slow, public, and adversarial — and for many landlord-tenant disputes, it's overkill. A disagreement over a security deposit deduction, a delayed repair, or the condition of a unit at move-out doesn't require months of litigation. It requires both sides to be heard and a resolution both can live with.
For small landlords especially, the cost of an attorney and the time lost to court dates often exceeds the value of the dispute itself.
What We Mediate
- Security deposit disputes — deductions, damages, timing of return
- Repair and maintenance disagreements — responsibility, timeline, cost
- Lease term disputes — renewal terms, rent increases, early termination
- Move-out condition disagreements
- Noise, guest, or lease-violation disputes
- Pre-litigation disputes either party would prefer to resolve before filing in housing court
Why Mediation Instead of Housing Court
Housing Court
Housing Court
Housing Court
Typical cost $2,000–$10,000+ in legal fees
Typical timeline Weeks to months of court dates
Record Public court record
Outcome Decided by a judge
Eviction/credit impact Can follow tenant's record
Mediation
Housing Court
Housing Court
Typical cost $500–$1,500 total, often split
Typical timeline One session, scheduled within days
Record Confidential
Outcome Agreed to by both parties
Eviction/credit impact No court filing involved
Landlords keep good tenants and avoid vacancy costs. Tenants avoid a court record. Both sides save m
How It Works
1. Request Mediation — Either the landlord or tenant submits an intake form describing the dispute.
2. Free Consultation — We confirm both parties are willing to participate.
3. Remote Session — A focused 2–4 hour video conference to work through the issue.
4. Written Resolution — A signed agreement documenting what was agreed, which either side can have reviewed by an attorney before signing.
Why Real Property Forum
Founder David Glanville is a licensed real estate broker, certified mediator, and former property and asset manager who has managed the landlord side of these exact disputes. He knows what a reasonable resolution looks like from experience — not just theory — which helps both landlords and tenants trust the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out to us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The mediation itself is not binding, but a written agreement signed by both parties at the end of a successful mediation is enforceable as a contract.
No. Mediation is designed to work without attorneys present, though either party may consult one at any point, and we recommend legal review before signing any agreement.
Mediation is voluntary — we can reach out to invite the other party to participate, but both sides must agree for the process to begin.
Yes — see our dedicated page for property managers for retainer options. [Learn more →]
Skip housing court. Resolve it in one session.
Contact us and discover what we can do for you.
Real Property Forum Neutral mediation for HOA, landlord-tenant, and property disputes. Real Property Forum provides mediation services only and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Parties are encouraged to consult independent legal counsel regarding their rights and any agreements reached through mediation.
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