To limit evictions, Bellevue provides landlord-tenant mediation, money for back rent

With the statewide moratorium on evictions ending last week, the City of Bellevue is offering mediation to help tenants and landlords negotiate repayment of overdue rent, on-hold because of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The city is also providing money to low- and moderate-income residents to cover back rent and unpaid mortgage.

“Bellevue has put millions of dollars into rental assistance for our residents throughout the pandemic,” Mayor Lynne Robinson said. “Now, as the eviction moratorium comes to an end, it is imperative that we help renters and landlords navigate the next steps. We want to keep our residents stably housed.”

Eviction Resolution

The Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center, which has helped neighbors and others resolve disputes through mediation and conciliation for years, is now helping landlords and tenants negotiate repayment plans through the state’s court-mandated Eviction Resolution Pilot Program. Both tenants and landlords can initiate repayment plan negotiation. 

If a landlord seeks eviction or restitution through the courts, they must first send a notice and repayment plan offer to both the tenant and the Conflict Resolution Center simultaneously. Tenants have 14 days to respond. If there is no repayment plan agreement, the CRC will issue a Dispute Resolution Certificate, allowing the landlord to proceed to court. 

All documents and requests should be sent to bcrc@bellevuewa.gov, or people can call 425-452-4091. Tenants can also ask for help from the Bellevue CRC via phone or email. 

Landlords and tenants participating in the program are assigned a conciliator, who carries on negotiations on the phone. If a translator is needed, the CRC will arrange one. 

Rental and mortgage relief

The city is also providing rental, mortgage and move-in assistance to low- and moderate-income residents through its Rental and Mortgage Relief program. 

The City Council in August authorized $7 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the program. Residents apply for help from local nonprofit agencies contracted by the city, attesting to how COVID has impacted their housing stability. 

The agencies providing the money will help residents with the application and translation if needed. The agencies pay the landlords and mortgage holders directly.

This Rent and Mortgage Relief program is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award SLFRP4086 awarded to City of Bellevue by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.