Contact: Robert Nunn
Phone: 336-373-2038
        

City and UNCG Launch Landlord-Tenant Dispute Program

GREENSBORO, NC (March 24, 2010) – The City of Greensboro’s Human Relations Department in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s (UNCG) Conflict Studies and Dispute Resolution Program will launch a new program in April aimed at resolving disputes between landlords and tenants.
 
The Landlord-Tenant Dispute Program was created to help landlords and tenants eliminate communication barriers and work together to solve problems. Some of the issues that can be mediated during the program include damaged property, noise complaints, repairs, financial problems and other issues.

Participation in the program is voluntary and both parties must agree to come together and discuss the issues before a mediator. The mediator is skilled in assisting landlords and tenants in (1) defining and clarifying issues; (2) reducing obstacles to communication; (3) exploring possible solutions; and (4) reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement.  

The City and UNCG developed the program with input from landlords, tenant advocates, Legal Aid attorneys, property management personnel and other real estate professionals.

“This program is an excellent partnership between the City and the University,” said Anthony Wade, director of the City’s Human Relations Department. “It affords landlords and tenants the opportunity to resolve their issues at the lowest possible level and facilitates a constructive business relationship going forward.”

Cathie Witty, director of UNCG’s Conflict Studies and Dispute Resolution Program, agrees. “Conflict studies are good to talk about, but are most useful when applied to the issues and challenges of our community,” she said. We hope this effort is the beginning of more projects like this— a collaboration between the City and the University in making services more responsive.”

The City and UNCG anticipate starting the program in early April and will begin scheduling mediation sessions on a referral-only basis. For more information about this partnership between the City and UNCG, contact the City’s Human Relations Department at 336-373-2038. 

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