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Since Surfside, condominiums throughout the nation have been evacuated as a result of safety concerns. Horizon West (Waukesha, WI), Port Royale (Miami Beach, FL), Renaissance Tower (Myrtle Beach, SC), and Camelback Village (Olney, MD) to name a few. Many states, and in some cases, counties, have taken action to address the issue of aging infrastructure.

As awareness regarding reserve studies continues to grow, many associations that have not yet commissioned one are asking When you commission a reserve study, you’re commissioning an overall health check of your community, much like an annual physical exam with your primary care provider. However, when there is an issue with a specific organ or body part, a specialist in that particular area will join your list of physicians to uncover the root of the issue and formulate a remedy.

As awareness regarding reserve studies continues to grow, many associations that have not yet commissioned one are asking themselves, “do we need one?” While this question is easy to answer in states such as Florida and Maryland who recently put into place legislation requiring reserve studies, in states without a legal requirement, the question remains.

Introduced and signed into law in 2022, Florida Senate Bill 4-D establishes requirements for structural integrity reserve studies and funding for condominiums and cooperatives.

Introduced and signed into law in 2022, Maryland House Bill 107 establishes statewide reserve study and funding requirements for condominium associations, cooperatives, and homeowners associations. Here are answers to the most common questions we receive about this new legislation!

Boards and managers who want to ensure adequate funds and avoid shortfalls (or at least get into a better financial position) should familiarize themselves with common reserve funding goals and the strategies to achieve them. As outlined in the National Reserve Study Standards (NRSS), four accepted funding goals are available to community associations.

In 1960 in Salt Lake City, the first condo buildings in the U.S. were built. But it was prior to this, in 1947, that the concept of reserve funds was first born. First referred to as the Fire and Tornado Fund by insurance companies, early reserve funds were meant primarily for emergencies and disasters. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that uniform standards for reserve studies were established by the Community Associations Institute.

Is your community association considering going electric? In 2021, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for only 3% of car sales worldwide. By 2040, it’s predicted that EVs will account for a whopping 58% of global passenger vehicle sales. As more Americans trade in gas-operated vehicles for electric vehicles, infrastructure needs are rapidly changing.

While inflation affects us all, it affects community associations and those who live there in unique ways. From something as little as a homeowner’s grocery bill to something as intensive as the cost of a roof replacement, the effects of inflation can be felt far and wide in association living.

When it comes to a building or home, the entire structure is only as strong as its foundation. Similarly, when it comes to planning for your community’s future, the scope of work, or component inventory, serves as the foundation for a reserve study provider to conduct a thorough review of your property.

The classification of property helps assure that future boards understand whether reserves, the operating budget or homeowners fund certain repairs or replacements and also assists in preparing annual budgets. Furthermore, it helps establish an accurate scope of work when commissioning a reserve study.