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Fast-Track Facilitation

Settlement conference program for landlords and tenants

Whether you are a tenant renting your home and having trouble paying rent, or you are a landlord with a tenant who's struggling to keep up, a Fast-Track Facilitation (or Landlord and Tenant Settlement Conference) might be able to help you agree on a plan together. The program is free, and all communication can be completed over the phone or online. You can participate even if you already have an eviction case filed in court.

This program does not provide any direct financial assistance, but there are programs that may be able to provide you with money to pay rent.

Before you apply

  • Both the tenant and the landlord (the parties) must agree to participate.
  • If you have a pending court case, request a facilitation at least 15-20 days before your next court date to allow time for the facilitation to be completed. Otherwise you may have to request a continuance from the court.
  • You can only do this once. Only one facilitation between you and your landlord is allowed under this program. If you are a landlord, you can have only one facilitation per tenant.

How to request a facilitation

You can request a facilitation whether you are the tenant or the landlord.

1. Go to public.courts.in.gov/ftf
2. Click the button to "Create New Facilitation Request"
3. Complete the form by selecting a location, adding the landlord and tenant information, and explaining the situation
4. If an eviction case has already been filed, include the case number

Start a new facilitation request

What happens next?

After your request is submitted, the system will automatically:

  • Send you a confirmation email that includes contact information for our program staff
  • Send the other party an email inviting them to participate in a settlement conference, which they can do by following the instructions in the message

If the other party doesn't respond by opting in or opting out, our program staff will contact the other party using the information you provided in the request to
follow up.

What to expect from the facilitation

If both the landlord and tenant agree to participate, a facilitator (neutral helper) will be assigned to work with everyone to talk about solutions everyone can agree to. The facilitator's role is to support a fair conversation between both parties and provide guidance or information to help the discussion. The facilitator may not represent either party or provide legal advice. The facilitator will work directly with you to schedule the settlement conference. Facilitators may be registered Indiana mediators, senior judges, or attorneys.

Parties should expect to:
  • Understand that the settlement conference may take place over Zoom or telephone, or be held in person if agreed to by all involved
  • Review tips for participating in a remote conference. These tips are written for participating in a court hearing, but the same tips apply to facilitated settlement
    conferences
  • Have the proper documents and information available to discuss during the conference (see below)
  • Attend the settlement conference on the date and time scheduled
  • Communicate with the facilitator and the other party to see if the issues can be resolved before filing a court case (or before the next court hearing)
  • If a court case has already been filed, agree that the facilitator will e-file with the court any settlement agreement reached

Questions about this program can be sent to ltsettlementconference@courts.in.gov.

Spread the word! Print or share to social media a flyer (PDF format) (JPG format) to inform landlords and tenants about this statewide program.

More information can be found at courts.in.gov/housing.

Preparing for your settlement conference

You should have the following documents and information available for the settlement conference:
  • Lease and any additional written agreements
  • Last pay stub, hours working per pay period
  • Information on when lost job or hours reduced, when returning to work or increased hours
  • Proof of all payments, at a minimum proof of payments since dispute began, including any rent and repair receipts
  • Calculation of balance due and owing
  • Information on financial resources - last bank statement, amount of other financial obligations (i.e. child support, medical bills, car payments, etc.)
  • Documentation regarding applications for rental assistance
  • Documentation regarding pending applications/appeals for unemployment insurance benefits
  • Documentation regarding unreceived CARES Act stimulus funds
Consider the following questions to prepare for the settlement conference:
  • Is property a CARES Act covered property?
  • What is the date of last rent payment?
  • Was tenant current when last rent payment was made?
  • Were late fees charged during the moratorium?
  • What is the amount of monthly rent?
  • Was a security deposit paid? If so, what amount?
  • Is payment made to the landlord or a property manager?
  • What is the start date of lease/residence at this property by tenant?
  • Did tenant experience unemployment or underemployment due to COVID?
  • Did parties seek rental assistance? If so, what source? Is it approved or pending approval?
  • Is the property federally subsidized?
You should have the following documents and information available for the settlement conference:
Consider the following questions to prepare for the settlement conference:
  • Is property a CARES Act covered property?
  • What is the date of last rent payment?
  • Was tenant current when last rent payment was made?
  • Were late fees charged during the moratorium?
  • What is the amount of monthly rent?
  • Was a security deposit paid? If so, what amount?
  • Is payment made to the landlord or a property manager?
  • What is the start date of lease/residence at this property by tenant?
  • Did tenant experience unemployment or underemployment due to COVID?
  • Did parties seek rental assistance? If so, what source? Is it approved or pending approval?
  • Is the property federally subsidized?

Currently, the Office of Judicial Administration is no longer accepting new facilitators. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to check back for announcements regarding future opportunities.

Due to the availability for remote conferencing, facilitators will be assigned matters without geographical limitations.

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