Resolving disputes through mediation
Mediation can be a good way to resolve a dispute with a neighbour. A mediator provides confidential and impartial advice to help both parties resolve issues such as:
- anti-social behaviour
- noise
- parking issues
- rubbish
- pets
- abuse or threatening behaviour
- children’s behaviour.
Mediation is informal and confidential, and enables people to air their grievances. Everyone gets a fair chance to have their say, to be listened to and to get a response to their concerns.
First, each person involved in the dispute meets the mediators separately to help them decide what they want. Then, if they agree, they meet to discuss the situation and work out an agreement they can live with.
The service is free and very successful. The mediators are ordinary people who are professionally trained to deal with disputes of every kind. They make sure the discussion takes place in a way that is safe for everyone involved.
Your tenancy enforcement officer can give you more advice about the mediation service available to you.