Unpaid rent
Catch-up schedules, partial waivers, or a cash-for-keys move-out.
- Real estate mediation
- Landlord-tenant & lease disputes
Landlord-tenant mediation in Los Angeles
Most landlord-tenant disputes come down to a few things: money owed, a move-out date, the condition of the unit, and what each side will say about the other later. Mediation lets the owner and the tenant settle those terms directly, with a neutral who knows how unlawful detainer cases actually play out in Los Angeles courts.
Mediation can happen before a notice is served, after an unlawful detainer is filed, or in the weeks before trial. Commercial landlords and tenants also use it to restructure a lease instead of litigating a default.
Landlord-tenant disputes I mediate
Move-out dates
A realistic date that gives the tenant time to relocate and the owner a vacant unit.
Security deposits
Disputed deductions for cleaning, damage, and unpaid utilities.
Habitability and repairs
Repair schedules, rent credits, and access for contractors.
Just cause and relocation
Disputes over termination reasons and relocation payments in covered units.
Commercial lease defaults
Rent deferrals, lease amendments, early termination, and personal guaranties.
California rules that shape landlord-tenant disputes
- Security deposits
- Civil Code § 1950.5 requires the landlord to return the deposit, or an itemized statement of deductions, within 21 days after the tenant moves out.
- Statewide tenant protections
- The Tenant Protection Act (Civil Code §§ 1946.2 and 1947.12) limits annual rent increases and requires just cause to end many tenancies.
- Local rent control
- Units covered by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and similar city ordinances carry additional rules on evictions and relocation assistance.
- Unlawful detainer timelines
- Eviction cases move on a fast court schedule, so an early settlement can spare both sides the cost and uncertainty of trial.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each party should consult its own attorney about its rights.
What a landlord-tenant settlement can include
- A move-out date and key turnover
- Waiver or reduction of past-due rent
- Return or application of the security deposit
- A payment plan for tenants who stay
- Dismissal of the unlawful detainer case
- Mutual releases and confidentiality terms
Questions about landlord-tenant mediation
Can we mediate after an unlawful detainer is filed?
Yes. Many eviction cases settle after filing and before trial. A signed settlement can provide for dismissal of the case once its terms are met.
Do both the landlord and the tenant have to agree to mediate?
Yes. Mediation is voluntary unless a lease or court order requires it. Either side can propose it, and I contact the other party to see whether they are willing.
What is a cash-for-keys agreement?
The owner pays the tenant an agreed amount to move out by a set date and leave the unit in agreed condition. It often costs less and finishes sooner than a contested eviction.
Does the mediator represent the landlord?
No. As mediator I am neutral and do not represent or advise either side. Each party may consult its own attorney before signing.