Mediation Services for Michigan Tenant Disputes
Save money, time, and stress by settling rental conflicts through Michigan’s free or low-cost Community Dispute Resolution Program.
Save money, time, and stress by settling rental conflicts through Michigan’s free or low-cost Community Dispute Resolution Program.
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party helps disputing tenants and landlords reach their own solution instead of letting a judge decide. The mediator does not impose a ruling or take sides; they guide a structured conversation focused on interests, not blame. Agreements are crafted by the parties themselves—often in a single session—and can later be filed with the court for enforcement, making mediation a faster, less adversarial alternative to litigation.
Michigan created the Community Dispute Resolution Program in 1988 to deliver low-cost mediation statewide. Seventeen nonprofit centers, funded by modest court fees and state grants, handle thousands of housing cases each year—from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula. Trained volunteer mediators follow Supreme Court guidelines, and most centers now offer secure video sessions launched during the pandemic. When parties settle, mediators draft a Consent Judgment form that district-court clerks accept as a binding order, adding enforceability without another hearing.
The CDRP welcomes nearly any landlord-tenant conflict that doesn’t involve immediate physical danger:
Even cases already filed in small-claims court can be paused and referred to mediation at the judge’s discretion.
Most housing sessions last 60–120 minutes. Virtual meetings use secure Zoom links with breakout rooms for caucus privacy.
You’ll spend far less on mediation than on filing fees, service of process, and multiple court appearances.
| Factor | Mediation (CDRP) | Small Claims Court |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Fee | $0–$40 (often waived) | $30–$70 filing fee |
| Average Total Cost | $0–$100 per party | $100–$350 incl. time off work |
| Typical Resolution Time | 3–7 days | 45–90 days |
| Is Decision Confidential? | Yes | Public record |
| Control Over Outcome | High – parties craft terms | Low – judge decides |
| Enforceability | Agreement = contract; may file as judgment | Court judgment enforced by law |
| Stress Level | Low | Moderate to high |
You have two easy avenues:
Script example: “Hi, I’m a tenant with a rental dispute over repairs. Can you schedule a housing mediation under the CDRP?” Low-income parties can request fee waivers by submitting form MC 20A.
Organised documents speed up negotiations and show you’re serious. Pack or upload:
For virtual sessions, combine everything into a single, bookmarked PDF or screen-share folder. In person, a simple binder with tab dividers works wonders.
Full agreement: both sides sign a written settlement; if filed, it becomes a court judgment.
Partial agreement: outstanding issues may head to small-claims, but settled clauses remain enforceable.
Impasse: no deal—parties retain all litigation rights. The mediator reports only “no agreement,” preserving confidentiality.
Most CDRP centers follow up after 30 days to see whether terms are on track. If the other side breaches, you can pursue enforcement in small-claims court using the signed agreement as Exhibit A.
Mediation offers Michigan renters a fast, low-stress alternative to court for resolving housing disputes—often in days, not months.