Internal Dispute Resolution
The procedure they don't want you to know about.
California Civil Code requires every HOA to offer Internal Dispute Resolution — a structured, statutory meeting between the homeowner and the board, in good faith, before any escalation.
What IDR Is
IDR is a meet-and-confer process mandated by Civil Code Section 5910. The HOA must participate. The homeowner may bring a representative — including a non-lawyer advocate. The outcome, if agreed in writing and signed, is binding.
Who Can Request It
Any member of a California common interest development. The request must be in writing and must describe the dispute. The HOA must respond within a statutory window.
The Process, Step by Step
Written Request
We draft and submit a written IDR request that meets the statutory requirements and frames the dispute on procedural grounds.
HOA Acknowledgment
The HOA must acknowledge the request and propose a meeting. Failure to do so is itself a procedural defect.
Preparation
We review the governing documents, the relevant statutes, and the HOA's prior correspondence — and prepare a focused case for the meeting.
The IDR Meeting
We attend with you. We present the case. We negotiate. We document. Where possible, we leave with a signed, binding resolution.
Davis-Stirling: The Statute Behind It
The Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code Sections 4000-6150) is the master statute governing California HOAs. IDR is one of many homeowner protections it provides. We know the act cold.
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