IDR

IDR means internal dispute resolution: a required or offered sit-down inside the association before (or instead of) outside mediation or a lawsuit. It is not a national HOA procedure. California is the state that uses the label most clearly. Under the Davis-Stirling Act, California associations generally must provide a fair, reasonable, and expeditious IDR procedure, and a member can invoke it in writing. That is California Civil Code, not a U.S. rule.

Other states may require mediation, an ombudsman complaint, or nothing beyond whatever the bylaws say. Do not assume your board has to meet with you because California does.

What to check: your state's condo or planned-community act for "internal dispute resolution," "meet and confer," or "ADR before lawsuit," plus any IDR policy the board adopted. If a hearing or a lien clock is already running, IDR does not automatically freeze it. General information, not legal advice.

This is general information from an AI helper, not legal advice. Confirm it against your documents and your state's law. If a deadline or hearing is coming up, talk to a licensed lawyer.