City of Pasadena Partners with Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution to Provide Mediation Services for Renters and Landlords

PASADENA, Calif.— The City of Pasadena’s Rent Stabilization Department is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR) to provide low to no-cost mediation services for renters and landlords. This partnership aims to encourage constructive dialogue and resolve housing-related disputes amicably, promoting community harmony and housing stability across Pasadena.

Through this collaboration, professional mediators from LCCR will offer valuable support to renters and property owners navigating disputes related to Pasadena’s Just Cause for eviction regulations. These regulations are designed to protect tenants by requiring landlords to provide legitimate reasons, such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or owner occupancy, for terminating a tenancy.

Typical housing issues effectively addressed through LCCR mediation include:

• Assisting tenants in establishing manageable repayment schedules after falling behind on rent.
• Facilitating agreements between landlords and tenants regarding issues such as noise disturbances or relocation within a property.
• Helping tenants communicate directly with landlords to resolve maintenance concerns, including appliance repairs or carpet replacement.

With over 30 years of experience in mediation and serving the community, the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution offers a constructive alternative to the often prolonged and costly court process. The center’s professional mediators utilize a neutral, confidential, and respectful approach, ensuring that solutions are mutually beneficial and sustainable.

This collaboration is led by Sara Campos, Director of LCCR and a certified bilingual mediator with substantial experience in legal mediation. Campos has trained and mentored numerous mediation professionals and has served on several mediation panels, including The Second Appellate District Court Panel and the L.A. Superior Court panel. She is recognized for her leadership and contributions to community mediation, including a 2022 White House recognition for LCCR’s Landlord/Tenant Options Counseling Clinic, honoring its response to the Attorney General’s Call to Action to address housing stability and eviction crises.

Joining Campos is attorney Stephanie Schestag, who brings valuable legal and entrepreneurial experience to the partnership. Schestag received her mediation training at Loyola Law School and holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Mills College.

Residents interested in accessing mediation services are encouraged to contact the Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department directly. Housing counselors are available to assist tenants and landlords, providing guidance and assessing eligibility for mediation services.

For more information and additional resources, please visit the Rent Stabilization Department’s website at CityOfPasadena.net/Rent-Stabilization.

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