Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in an HOA?

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) includes mediation or arbitration as ways to resolve conflicts without going to court. Mediation involves a neutral third party helping both sides reach a voluntary agreement, while arbitration is more formal and results in a binding decision made by an arbitrator.

Why is ADR important?

It saves legal costs and preserves community relationships. In some states, it’s required before formal litigation. Common issues handled through ADR include architectural violations, noise complaints, or disagreements over rule enforcement, disputes that benefit from faster, less adversarial resolution.

How can you use “ADR” in a sentence?

The board opted for ADR to resolve a dispute over unauthorized landscaping changes rather than going to court.