Roughly 42% of Florida residents live in homeowners’ associations (HOAs). While HOAs, or community associations, offer a host of benefits to the residents that live there, they are frequently involved in disputes.

Disputes are so common in fact that Florida law provides that an HOA or homeowner involved in a dispute must mediate the issue before going to court. See Sec. 718.510, Florida Statutes (2022). This provision means that community association board members will likely be involved in a mediation, often for the first time, at some point.

Navigating mediation can be confusing and intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with the process. Whether it involves a disagreement with an owner over covenants and restrictions or larger defect claims, it is important for the parties involved to understand the preparation, process and purpose surrounding mediation. As a mediator of community association disputes (and other types of cases), here’s a closer look at what parties, and their attorneys, should keep in mind when mediating a community association dispute.