British Landlords Association

Landlord & Tenant Mediation Service – British Landlords Association

Landlord & Tenant Mediation Service

Professional Mediation for Landlords and Tenants in England, Wales and Scotland

Disputes between landlords and tenants can escalate quickly. What begins as a relatively minor disagreement can develop into rent arrears, complaints about repairs or property condition, disputes over access or conduct, complaints to a local authority, or formal court or tribunal proceedings.

The British Landlords Association (BLA) provides a structured landlord and tenant mediation service designed to help both parties explore whether a dispute can be resolved without unnecessary confrontation or legal proceedings.

Our mediation service is available to BLA members for a fixed fee of £250 inclusive.

The service covers residential landlord and tenant disputes in England, Wales and Scotland, with the mediation taking account of the different legal frameworks applying in each jurisdiction.

What Our Mediation Service Includes

For the fixed fee of £250 inclusive, the service includes:

• An initial review of the landlord’s position

• An initial review of the tenant’s or contract-holder’s position

• Consideration of relevant documents supplied by the parties

• One scheduled telephone mediation meeting involving both parties

• A neutral BLA mediator to manage and structure the discussion

• A brief written outcome summary following the mediation

The written outcome summary will normally record the respective positions of the parties, whether the dispute was resolved and any practical next steps agreed during the mediation.

The service includes one mediation session and one joint telephone meeting.

Unless separately agreed, the mediation service does not include drafting legal notices, tenancy or occupation contract documents, settlement agreements, payment plans, court or tribunal documents, or conducting possession proceedings.

Why Consider Landlord and Tenant Mediation?

Private renting is increasingly regulated throughout Great Britain, but the legal framework is not identical across England, Wales and Scotland.

In England, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 substantially changed the private rented sector from 1 May 2026. Section 21 possession is no longer available under the new regime, and most private assured tenancies operate as assured periodic tenancies. Landlords seeking possession must rely upon an applicable statutory possession ground and follow the correct procedure.

In Wales, most residential renting is governed by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Tenants are generally referred to as contract-holders, and landlords must follow the Welsh occupation-contract and possession framework.

In Scotland, most private residential tenancies are governed by the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. Private Residential Tenancies are open-ended, and landlords seeking eviction must rely upon an applicable eviction ground and, where necessary, obtain an eviction order from the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber).

Against this increasingly regulated background, resolving disputes at an early stage can be valuable for both landlords and occupiers.

Mediation provides an opportunity for the parties to discuss the problem in a controlled and neutral environment before positions become entrenched.

Types of Disputes Suitable for Mediation

The BLA mediation service may be suitable for a wide range of residential property disputes, including:

• Rent arrears and repayment disagreements

• Repairs and maintenance disputes

• Property condition complaints

• Landlord access disputes

• Alleged breaches of tenancy or occupation contract terms

• Behavioural and neighbour complaints

• Communication breakdowns

• End-of-tenancy or end-of-occupation disputes

• Deposit disagreements before or alongside the appropriate dispute-resolution process

• Disagreements concerning responsibilities under the tenancy or occupation contract

• Disputes concerning damage, cleaning or property condition

• Other landlord and occupier disputes where both parties are willing to engage

Mediation is particularly useful where communication has broken down but there remains a realistic possibility of reaching an agreement.

How the BLA Mediation Process Works

1. Initial Case Review

We ask the landlord and tenant or contract-holder to provide a summary of the dispute and their respective positions.

Relevant supporting documents may also be requested. Depending upon the dispute, these could include the tenancy agreement or occupation contract, correspondence, rent statements, photographs, repair records, inspection reports or other relevant evidence.

The purpose of this stage is to identify the issues in dispute and ensure that the mediation meeting remains focused and productive.

2. Telephone Mediation Meeting

Once both parties have agreed to participate, the BLA arranges a scheduled telephone mediation meeting.

The meeting is moderated by the British Landlords Association.

Each party is given an appropriate opportunity to explain their position, respond to the concerns raised by the other party and explore practical solutions.

The mediator’s role is to facilitate constructive discussion. The mediator does not act as a judge and does not impose a decision upon either party.

Participation in mediation does not require either party to accept a proposal or compromise their legal position.

3. Exploring a Resolution

During the mediation, the parties may explore practical solutions appropriate to their particular dispute.

Depending upon the circumstances, this might involve agreeing arrangements for access, repairs, payment of arrears, communication, property inspections, rectification of an alleged breach or other practical steps.

Any proposed resolution remains subject to agreement by the parties.

4. Written Outcome Summary

Following the mediation, the BLA will provide a brief written outcome summary.

The summary will normally record:

• The nature of the dispute

• The landlord’s position

• The tenant’s or contract-holder’s position

• Whether an agreement was reached

• Any agreed practical next steps

The outcome summary is not, by itself, a legally binding settlement agreement.

Where the parties require a legally binding agreement, deed, payment arrangement or other legal document, separate legal advice or drafting may be required.

Mediation and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – England

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has significantly changed the legal environment for private landlords in England.

Since 1 May 2026, Section 21 can no longer be used to commence possession proceedings under the new system. Most private assured tenancies operate as assured periodic tenancies, and landlords seeking possession must rely upon an appropriate statutory possession ground.

This makes good record keeping, communication and appropriate dispute management particularly important.

Mediation can assist where a dispute concerns matters such as arrears, repairs, access, conduct or alleged breaches of the tenancy.

However, mediation does not replace the statutory possession procedure and cannot create a possession ground where one does not otherwise exist.

Mediation in Wales

Residential renting in Wales operates under a different statutory framework from England.

Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, most residential occupiers are contract-holders rather than tenants, and their rights and responsibilities are principally contained within their occupation contract and the Welsh statutory framework.

Mediation may assist landlords and contract-holders in resolving disagreements before they develop into formal possession proceedings or other litigation.

The BLA mediation process does not replace any notice, procedural or statutory requirements applying under Welsh law.

Mediation in Scotland

Scotland also operates under a separate residential tenancy system.

Most private tenants who entered their tenancy from 1 December 2017 occupy under a Private Residential Tenancy (PRT).

Where a Scottish landlord seeks eviction, an applicable statutory eviction ground must be relied upon and, where the tenant does not leave, the landlord will normally need to apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) for an eviction order.

Mediation can be particularly useful for disputes involving arrears, repairs, access, property condition, behaviour and alleged breaches of tenancy obligations.

The BLA mediation process does not replace the Scottish statutory notice or tribunal procedure.

What the £250 Mediation Service Does Not Include

The fixed-fee mediation service does not include:

• Drafting possession or eviction notices

• Drafting settlement agreements or deeds

• Drafting payment plans

• Drafting tenancy agreements, occupation contracts or variations

• Preparing court or tribunal applications

• Representation in court or before a tribunal

• Conducting possession or eviction proceedings

• Enforcement of an agreement reached at mediation

• Ongoing case management after the mediation session

• Additional mediation sessions

Where further legal assistance is required following mediation, BLA members can enquire about the appropriate separate support service.

Important: Mediation Does Not Stop Legal Time Limits

Starting or participating in mediation does not automatically suspend or extend legal deadlines.

This may include statutory notice periods, limitation periods, court deadlines, tribunal deadlines or other procedural time limits.

A landlord or tenant should therefore not allow an important legal deadline to expire simply because mediation is taking place.

Where urgent legal action is required, appropriate advice should be obtained separately.

Benefits of Early Intervention

Many landlord and tenant disputes become more difficult because communication deteriorates and the parties stop engaging constructively with each other.

Early mediation may help:

• Restore communication

• Clarify misunderstandings

• Identify the real issues in dispute

• Agree practical steps to address repairs or access

• Explore arrangements concerning arrears

• Reduce the likelihood of unnecessary litigation

• Reduce the cost and stress associated with an escalating dispute

• Preserve a workable landlord and occupier relationship

Where court proceedings are contemplated, attempting appropriate alternative dispute resolution may also demonstrate that reasonable efforts have been made to resolve the dispute before litigation.

Mediation cannot guarantee settlement, but it can provide both parties with a structured opportunity to resolve matters before further action becomes necessary.

Independent, Neutral and Structured

During the mediation process, the British Landlords Association acts as a neutral facilitator.

The mediator’s role is to:

• Ensure both parties have an opportunity to be heard

• Keep discussions focused on the relevant issues

• Clarify areas of agreement and disagreement

• Reduce unnecessary confrontation

• Explore realistic and practical solutions

• Record the outcome of the mediation

The mediator does not determine who has “won” the dispute and cannot force either party to accept a settlement.

Both parties remain responsible for deciding whether any proposed resolution is acceptable.

Transparent Fixed Fee – £250 Inclusive

The BLA landlord and tenant mediation service costs £250 inclusive for the standard service.

The fixed fee covers the initial case review, one scheduled joint telephone mediation session and the brief written outcome summary.

There are no hourly billing charges for the standard mediation session.

Any additional legal work, drafting, further mediation sessions or representation required after mediation would fall outside the fixed-fee service and would need to be agreed separately.

When Mediation May Not Be Appropriate

Mediation will not be suitable for every dispute.

It may not be appropriate where urgent legal action is required, where there are serious allegations of violence, threats, harassment or criminal conduct, where there is an immediate risk to health or safety, or where one party is unwilling to participate genuinely in the process.

Mediation should also not be used simply to delay necessary possession, court or tribunal proceedings.

Where a matter requires urgent legal action, the landlord should seek appropriate advice about the correct procedure for England, Wales or Scotland.

Is Mediation Right for Your Situation?

Mediation may be particularly suitable where communication has broken down, there is a genuine disagreement between the parties, both parties are willing to participate, and there is a realistic possibility of reaching a practical resolution.

If you are unsure whether your dispute is suitable for mediation, contact the BLA before requesting the service.

How to Request BLA Mediation

BLA members wishing to use the mediation service can contact us through the members’ support service.

We will provide information about the mediation process and explain what information is required.

The usual process is:

1. The member requests mediation.

2. Initial information about the dispute is provided.

3. The other party is invited to participate.

4. Both parties confirm their willingness to mediate.

5. The mediation fee is paid.

6. A mutually suitable mediation date is arranged.

7. The telephone mediation takes place.

8. The BLA issues the brief written outcome summary.

Mediation is voluntary. A joint mediation meeting cannot proceed unless both parties are willing to participate.

Resolve Landlord and Tenant Disputes Professionally

Landlord and tenant disputes do not always need to end in court or tribunal proceedings.

Early, structured communication can sometimes resolve a problem before positions become entrenched and costs begin to increase.

The British Landlords Association Landlord & Tenant Mediation Service provides BLA members with access to a structured, neutral and cost-effective dispute resolution process covering England, Wales and Scotland.

BLA Member Fee: £250 inclusive

If you are a BLA member experiencing a dispute with a tenant or contract-holder, contact us to discuss whether mediation may be appropriate.

Important Legal Information

The British Landlords Association mediation service is a dispute-resolution service and should not be regarded as a substitute for independent legal advice where such advice is required. The mediator acts as a neutral facilitator and does not act as the solicitor or legal representative of either party.

The applicable law and procedure differ between England, Wales and Scotland. Participation in mediation does not suspend statutory notices, limitation periods, court or tribunal deadlines or other legal time limits. Mediation does not prevent either party from taking appropriate legal action where necessary.

No particular outcome or settlement can be guaranteed.