Housing are working with 'Breakthrough' (a part of Clark Willis Solicitors) to offer a mediation service which is private and confidential.
When is Housing Mediation Appropriate?
• When you have a disagreement with a partner over housing
• When you argue with your parents about housing or when you argue with your children about housing.
• When you are having problems with a neighbour or a landlord.
Mediation is a successful way of resolving difficulties with other people
It will help you:
• Discuss matters calmly – remove the heat
• Keep all parties in control of their affairs
• Help you make informed decisions about the future
Mediation can help you solve problems within your home such as:
• Disagreements between parents and children
• Parents being too strict or not understanding
• Children not helping at home
Housing Disputes
• Neighbour nuisance
• Harassment from your landlord
• Rent arrears and disputes with your landlord
• Foul or abusive behaviour
• Relationship problems
How to start Mediation
Contact Housing Services on 01325 388542
Request an appointment by e-mail housing@darlington.gov.uk
How Mediation Works
Once we have received the approval of both sides to come to mediation we will arrange a meeting. Meetings are usually with all parties present but they can be separate.
Very often 2 or 3 meetings are necessary to resolve everything.
All mediation meetings are private and confidential
You will be encouraged to speak your mind and give your side of things in an informal meeting.
You will be asked to look at all the possible solutions and then to look closely at the one which might be best for everybody.
At the end of mediation the mediator will prepare a written Memorandum to record what has been resolved.
Cost
The cost for this service will be recovered from Legal Aid for those who qualify. Costs for others may be met by the Housing Division.
The Mediator
Allan Caig is a Family Mediator trained by the Solicitors Family Law Association. He is a full member of the UK College of Family Mediators and he is on the Law Society specialist panels for Family Law and Family Mediation. Alan has over 25 years of dealing with family disputes