The city of Bellevue is offering mediation to help tenants and landlords negotiate repayment of overdue rent resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR).

The Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center is 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 negotiations, the report noted.

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 Conflict Resolution Center. Tenants have 14 days to respond. 

The city is also providing money to low- and moderate-income residents to cover back rent and unpaid mortgages through its Rental and Mortgage Relief program.

In August 2021, Bellevue’s city council authorized $7 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the program.