Mediation is a voluntary, non-binding process through which two parties attempt to reconcile their differences with the assistance of outside parties. By participating in the mediation process offered for manufactured housing communities, neither party forfeits their rights to civil action.

However, the goal of mediation is to settle any dispute(s) so that civil action (i.e., a lawsuit) is not necessary. Legal actions tend to be expensive and immediately place the two parties in adversarial roles. Mediation for disputes between mobile home park residents and landlords is offered through a joint effort between the Arizona Association Manufactured Home & RV Owners, Inc. (AAMHO) and the Manufactured Housing Communities of Arizona (MHCA). Both organizations are non-profit organizations; AAMHO represents people who own mobile homes located on leased land and MHCA represents mobile home park owners. The mediation is offered free of charge to members of AAMHO and MHCA; at least one party to the mediation must be a member of AAMHO or MHCA Below are the addresses and phone numbers of both organizations:

Two professionally trained mediators are assigned to each case - one mediator from AAMHO and one from MHCA. The mediators are not judges; instead, their responsibility is to assist the resident and landlord in the settlement of a dispute by assuring that the lines of communication remain open. The mediators may offer guidance in some areas, but will not render a judgment at the end of the mediation process.

1. At least one of the parties to a mediation must be a member of AAMHO or MHCA.
   
   
2. The party requesting mediation must have already contacted the other party, in writing, stating the complaints and requesting corrective action. A copy of this letter must be attached to the application for mediation. If:

1. the rental agreement between the parties contains an AAMHO/MHCA Mediation Clause, a copy must be attached to the application.
   
2. No more than three complaints can be listed on an application for mediation.
   
3. Upon receipt of an application for mediation, the other party will be asked if they are willing to participate in the mediation.   If both parties are not willing to participate, a mediation date will not be set and the party applying for mediation will be contacted.
   
4. If both parties agree to participate, the mediation will be held at a neutral site.  Both parties will be notified of the date, time and place at least 15 days prior to the mediation.
   

1. If a complaint is not listed on the application for mediation, it cannot be discussed.

2. You are not allowed to have an attorney represent you; you must represent yourself. One party, however, may act as a spokesperson for co-parties.

3. The complaints will be discussed one at a time.  

4. Each party is encouraged to bring any evidence which may substantiate their position.  Evidence includes, at the mediator’s discretion, written documents, pictures, videotapes and witnesses.  Hearsay evidence is not allowed.  "Hearsay evidence" is defined as testimony offered by a witness who does not have first-hand knowledge of the incident (for example, having Mrs. Smith testify that Mr. Jones told her that he saw Mrs. Howell do something - Mrs. Smith was not there and does not have first-hand knowledge of what Mrs. Howell did). However, if the hearsay evidence is not deemed credible by the mediators, it will be disregarded and no further similar hearsay evidence will be allowed.  

5. At the end of the discussion of each complaint, the mediators will write down the agreement reached by the resident and landlord.   The parties may agree on a certain way to settle a dispute, or they may simply agree to disagree.   If the parties agree on a settlement, the following items should be considered:   (a) the specific actions which will be taken by each party and (b) the date(s) by which such actions will be completed.  

6. At the end of the mediation process, both parties will be asked to sign the mediation agreement.  

7. A copy of the mediation agreement will be mailed to both parties within seven days after the mediation.