The Arbitration Process. Agreement to Arbitrate: The parties must agree to submit their dispute to arbitration, often outlined in the HOA's governing documents.Many states require homeowners associations to first go through mediation or arbitration when faced with a dispute. Mediation or arbitration two alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods that seek to resolve differences without the need for litigation. How to File a Request for Mandatory Arbitration. Step 1: Complete this form online: A-1: Request and Agreement to Arbitrate.