homeowners' associations; attorney fees

HB 2865 prevents homeowners' associations (HOAs) and condominium associations in Arizona from charging unit owners or members for the association's attorney fees and related costs in disputes. The bill requires each party in litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other claims to pay their own legal costs, unless the association's governing documents specifically allow a resident to recover fees from the association. It directly affects homeowners in Arizona who are part of HOAs or condominiums by changing how legal costs are handled in conflicts with their associations. The law does not alter existing rules about when residents might recover fees if their association's documents explicitly permit it.