Problems and prospects of application of mediation procedure in the sphere of housing and communal services

The article discusses the task of conflict resolution in the field of relations between homeowners and their associations (HOA (homeowners’ association), HC (housing cooperative), and Apartment building councils) with various organizations of housing and communal complex-management companies and resource supply organizations. The main causes are identified and the subjects of disputes and conflicts in this sphere are described in details. The authors propose radically new technologies to solve the problem situations in the sphere of housing and communal services, which are fundamentally different from judicial procedures and are based on other principles of interaction between the disputing parties with the participation of professional experts. It is proposed to use the mediation procedure, the need and relevance of which is now undeniable. The stages of the mediation process are considered in detail. The recommendations based on communication of foreign experience for the development and promotion of mediation in the sphere of housing and communal services in the Russian Federation in order to resolve existing conflicts are given in the article. One of the most important and relevant areas at this stage is the formation of demand based on increasing consumer awareness of the services provided by mediation organizations. It is noted that, given the possible growth of social aggression in the housing sector due to the increasing number of conflict situations, the relevant issue is the lack of a system of interaction of government with citizens’ associations, the possibility and the need to create a regular Advisory institutions of government and society on issues related to the use of mediation.