Alaska Court System Self-Help

The Alaska Court System's Eviction Diversion Program offers free mediation to landlords and tenants. Mediation helps the two sides work out their dispute without going to court. The program is available before or after the landlord starts an eviction case in court. Both sides must agree to participate.

Landlords and tenants who want to try to work out their dispute. For example:

• tenants who thinks they may be evicted
• tenants who have just received a Notice to Quit
• landlords thinking about evicting a tenant
• landlords who just gave their tenant a Notice to Quit
• landlords and tenants once an eviction case is filed in court

Landlords and tenants can mediate with each other. Mediation is a way to get help in working out your dispute. A neutral person, called the mediator, leads the mediation and helps landlords and tenants:

• figure out the important issues,
• explain and understand each other’s proposals,
• clear up misunderstandings,
• explore creative solutions, and
• reach acceptable agreements.

The mediator does not tell you what to do or decide who's right or wrong. You each make your own decisions. Everything you say in mediation in confidential, except for any agreement you reach.

For more information visit the court's mediation page or review Mediation Information, PUB-15.

This program can help you reach an agreement without having to go to court. This may:

• Give both sides the time they need. It may take weeks, or even months, for a landlord to go through the formal eviction process. Once a case is started, the judge may order the eviction quite quickly, but the rest of the process can take time. If you work out your own agreement, you both figure out a timeline that works for you.
• Save money. You can participate in this program without hiring a lawyer. If you reach an agreement, the landlord may not have to pay to start a court case.
• Be easier. Working out an agreement may be easier for a landlord that the formal process of removing a tenant from their rental unit. It can be stressful to fill out paperwork and argue in front of a judge. In this program, you can meet with a mediator in an informal environment instead.
• Help you find creative solutions. Every dispute between a landlord and a tenant is different. Mediation can help you work out an agreement that works for both of you. It takes each person’s situation into account. Your agreement may find a way for the tenant to stay, or it may be an agreement about when the tenant moves out.
• Prevent the bad effects of an eviction. Working out an agreement may prevent a tenant from getting an eviction on their record. An eviction may make it more difficult for the tenant to rent in the future. It also makes the tenant ineligible for Alaska housing benefits for 5 years.

To sign up, use the Tenant Sign-Up or the Landlord Sign-Up webpage surveys or call 907-264-0883.

Court staff will ask the other person if they want to participate in the program. If you both agree, the court will schedule a mediation with a volunteer mediator. If the other person does not agree, court staff will let you know.

The mediator can help you draft a written agreement that you both sign. If you both want, the agreement can be filed in court.

If you do not agree on what should happen, the landlord may choose to follow the regular court process. The landlord would need to prove that the tenant should be evicted. The tenant can tell the judge their side of the story and argue any defenses that might stop the eviction. The judge would then decide who wins.

Visit the Housing Issues webpages.

• Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) :
  • Emergency Housing Vouchers
  • FAQs: Rent Relief | Housing Stabilization and Recovery
  • Find Public Housing
  • Housing Stabilization and Recovery
  • Information and Assistance for Landlords
  • Information and Assistance for Renters
• Alaska Legal Services Corporation's Landlord/Tenant Helpline provides free assistance to both tenants and landlords. Volunteer attorneys take incoming calls and will answer general questions from callers statewide about their particular housing situation.
  • Hours: Monday through Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
    In Anchorage call: 743-1000
    Outside Anchorage call: (855) 743-1001
• Anchorage residents that are limited English proficient can get help from the Alaska Literacy Program’s COVID-19 Peer Leader Navigators (CPLNs) using the CPLN request form , calling 907-290-3639, or emailing anchorageplns@gmail.com.
• Other relief and resources
• Landlords and tenants may also want to talk to a lawyer about their options.