There are many reasons why people who choose alternative dispute resolution by choosing to locate a mediator in Oklahoma to help them work through difficult situations often fare better than those who do not. Indeed, there are a diverse range of issues that mediators can assist with. One of these areas is that of landlord/tenant disputes, which arise around the nation ever day.
Our tenant eviction mediation services have noted several reasons why property owners and renters who go through mediation fare better than those who go directly to the courts. These reasons include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Renter-Property Owner Mediations Put the Decision Making Directly in the Hands of the Parties:
One of the single biggest benefits to mediations over lawsuits is that our mediation services put the decision making directly into the hands of both the property owner and tenant. The parties can work together with both making concessions, while simultaneously both receiving something they want. Indeed, unlike in courtroom battles, mediators do not decide the outcome; the parties do.
When a landlord files a civil lawsuit to evict a tenant, known as a petition and summons for forcible entry and detainer, the judge makes the final decision. One side wins their case, while the other side loses, and those who think they have a “cannot lose” case do indeed lose sometimes. On the other hand, during mediation sessions for the eviction of tenants, both parties walk away with something they both want.
Mediations Create Win-Win Situations:
As noted earlier, judges are the ones in formal courtroom proceedings who make the decision. There is always a clear winner and, on the opposite end of the legal spectrum, a loser. One side may walk away happily, but they also may have a difficult time collecting on their judgment. On the other hand, mediations in OKC are the exact opposite.
Mediations only work when both sides come to the table and agree to work on a mutually satisfactory resolution. Both parties must be willing to both give up some of what they want and will also receive some things out of it, too. Since the parties, not the mediator, makes the final decision on the outcome both sides must abide by, the result empowers the parties to control their own destinies and outcomes.
Eviction Mediation Services Are Faster Than Judicial Action:
Evictions can require both sides in a landlord/property owner dispute to go through a five-day notice to pay or quit period, plus the period needed to secure service upon the defendant with the summons and petition for forcible entry and detainer and the subsequent court hearing date. This requires extensive effort on the part of the plaintiff/landlord, and costs and time requirements start to add up.
During most mediation sessions between property owners and renters, both sides often pay half the required fee to the mediator in Edmond, Oklahoma. These mediation services can often take place in less than a week, shortening the time needed for a final resolution. Faster final resolutions lead to better outcomes and less stress for both sides. This is another reason why mediations for evictions of renters make more sense than judicial proceedings.
If either side does not abide by their contractual agreement as per the Memorandum of Understanding, then the parties can show it to a judge in a subsequent lawsuit. If judges see that one or even both sides violated the terms the parties had contractually agreed to in the Memorandum of Understanding, they are likely to make a ruling which enforces the original arrangement they had made via the Oklahoma mediator.
Oklahoma Mediations are Done in Private, Unlike Lawsuits:
Unless the legal action involves a name change or adoption, most court cases, both civil and criminal, are open to the public. This can prove to be embarrassing for both the property owners and their renters, because the entire proceedings are open to public scrutiny. This can make one or both sides uncomfortable, angry, and/or ashamed. For these reasons, mediation services in Oklahoma City at our private investigation agency are the better choice for resolving disputes between landlords and renters.
When both parties voluntarily opt for mediations with our low-cost alternative dispute mediation services instead of appealing to the courts for help, they receive the benefit of a very private, comfortable office setting with a personable, trained mediator. Indeed, our private detective agency’s mediation office has a sweet, purring cat named Moo to help ease tensions. She helps both parties lower their blood pressure naturally, and every agreement both sides make remains completely confidential via a Memorandum of Understanding, unless one or both sides choose to later move the matter to the judicial system.
Neither Party Needs an Attorney, Making Mediations Cheaper:
In courtroom cases, many parties opt to bring a licensed attorney to represent them. This can add to the expenses and contentiousness for both the landlord and tenant. Indeed, sometimes one or both sides cannot even afford to hire a lawyer, which can give the party that has one an advantage in the legal case. Justice in our criminal and civil legal systems often favor those parties who not only have the more favorable evidence, but the best attorney to present it in such a way to the judge that it comes across as both more relatable and believable.
When the parties agree to find the best mediator to assist them in resolving their property owner/renter matter, neither side needs to bring an attorney. Our legal firm does not specifically prohibit their use, but unless both sides will have one present, we discourage their presence unless both sides agree. Not having attorneys present not only lower the costs for both sides, but can often help bring about peaceful, win-win resolutions faster that leave both parties feeling at least partially satisfied.
Our Mediation Office Has a Purring Cat, Increasing Comfort Levels:
As noted earlier, one of the best benefits of opting for our mediation service in Moore, Oklahoma, is that our mediation office has a beautiful, sweet cat in it. Our cat, Moo, has been a member of our cat pride family for years, and she helps both parties during heated disputes by both purring and allowing others to pet her. This helps keep our mediation clients calmer and happier, as they work together toward a win-win resolution.
There is No Public Record of Mediation Sessions, Unless a Party Files a Concomitant Lawsuit:
Unless the legal case the parties come to mediation for is already involved in legal action or if one or both sides do not follow the Memorandum of Understanding and later proceed to court, then there is no public record of any of the mediation agreements for anyone to see. This especially benefits renters, because if they instead choose to go to court and end up with an eviction on their civil records, it can both affect their credit scores and can also make securing a new rental office, apartment, or home more difficult.
The privacy that our ADR services afford is a key crucial component in the extensive list of benefits that our mediators offer when you choose to locate a mediator at our PI agency. Indeed, our legal team has been mediating disputes of all kinds for many years. Harness our experience and choose our easier, less expensive, faster, more private cheap mediation services.
