Getting into fights with your landlord over maintenance issues? Going to court might not be your best bet, since the court only sides with tenants about 15% of the time.
Just Mediation Pittsburgh offers an alternative to going through the legal system. Mediators from the organization step in as a third party to help tenants and landlords find a solution. Deputy director María Núñez says more than 95% of cases the nonprofit works on lead to an agreement, and she encourages folks to keep lines of communication open after the mediation process ends.
Tenants and landlords can both request a call with Just Mediation Pittsburgh, but there are a few requirements. You can’t have an open court case while going through mediation, and if you’re a tenant, you must live in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County. Find other requirements and income eligibility on the organization’s website.
But hopefully, you can find a good landlord in the first place! Adam DiBuo with Neighborhood Legal Services has a checklist of what to look for as you’re looking for a new rental.
