You are encouraged to have an attorney assist you prepare this form and otherwise consider your options in this matter. It is not necessary to have an attorney in order for the ombudsman to help you with mediation or arbitration, however Arbitration or mediation is at the option of you as property owner. If you do not wish to continue at any time, you may withdraw your request. Once you sign this form, however, we will proceed with the arbitration until the ombudsman determines that the matter has been finalized or that mediation or arbitration is otherwise inappropriate. Mediation, where the result is based on a mutual settlement by both parties, is preferred to arbitration, where a third party neutral makes a decision for the parties.
Mediation is less formal.
If mediation is not appropriate and arbitration is to proceed, an outline of those more formal procedures will be provided to you. If you have other questions, please call us at the numbers shown on the top of the form.