National Reserve Study Standards and the Growing Focus on Maintenance

The Community Associations Institute (CAI) has placed greater emphasis on maintenance within its reserve study standards to help associations take a more proactive and preventive approach to managing their physical assets. This shift recognizes that deferred maintenance is one of the leading causes of sudden, costly repairs and special assessments—often because boards didn't plan properly for ongoing upkeep, only eventual replacement.

One of the biggest drivers behind this change was the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse in Florida, which tragically highlighted the consequences of long-term neglect and underfunded reserves. In response, both state governments and industry leaders like CAI began re-evaluating what a "healthy" reserve plan looks like. CAI now recommends that reserve studies not only forecast when components need replacement but also help associations understand when and how to maintain them—extending their useful life and protecting residents’ safety.

By integrating maintenance into reserve planning, CAI aims to support more realistic budgeting, better-informed boards, and a stronger connection between maintenance schedules and financial needs. It’s not just about saving for the roof 20 years from now—it’s about making sure that roof gets inspected, patched, and preserved along the way.

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