A landlord and tenant both agree to take on certain responsibilities when they enter into a tenancy agreement. The relationship between landlords and tenants is one that is often fraught with misunderstanding and friction. Most often, these disputes happen because either the landlord or tenant has defaulted in carrying out one of their responsibilities or failed to honor an agreement earlier entered into. In some other cases, the landlord comes up with new rules during the course of the tenancy which does not sit well with the tenant, thereby causing an unpleasant reaction from the tenant. Not every issue that arises between a landlord and his tenant warrants being taken to court, there are other ways in which property disputes can be resolved.

• Being informed: As it is commonly said, prevention is better than cure. The most effective way to resolve disputes is to prevent them from arising in the first place. This can be done by taking time to learn the law, read and digest the contents of the tenancy agreement before appending your signature, this can save both parties headache in the future. If any area is unclear, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Also, it is important to stay abreast of changes in housing laws in your city.
• Peaceful dialogue: Many problems between tenants and landlords can get resolved easily if room is given for a peaceful dialogue between both parties, without tempers flaring. Sometimes, there might be a simple solution to a problem that has been blown out of proportion due to miscommunication.
• Proper documentation: It is important to properly document every agreement and paperwork between the landlord and tenant. Also, ensure that everything that is agreed upon orally is written down and signed by both parties. If things get muddy in future, a paper trail can be your best defense.
• Submit to arbitration: Arbitration is similar to mediation but the only difference is that arbitration is binding. An arbitrator will hear from both sides of the case and issue a binding ruling to which you must abide.
• Litigation: When all else have failed, then going to a court is the final course of action. When hiring a lawyer to represent you, make sure you hire one that is well-versed in landlord/tenant laws and be prepared to make available all necessary documentation that can buttress your case.