The power to reserve
- The Act gives associations the power to adopt and amend budgets for reserves.
- It doesn’t require an ongoing reserve study or a minimum reserve balance.
- Its main reserve requirement is for new developments, described next.
RESERVE STUDIES IN ALASKA
Alaska reserve planning
SmartProperty® helps Alaska HOAs and condominiums plan and fund their reserves. Alaska doesn’t require an ongoing study, but its own state housing lender expects an adequate reserve fund, so planning protects both owners and buyers’ financing.
Jan 4, 2027Fannie Mae’s 15% reserve minimum takes effect for condo loans
Certified at launchA new community’s public offering statement needs reserve assumptions certified by an architect or engineer
No mandateAlaska law doesn’t require an ongoing reserve study or a minimum balance
WHAT ALASKA REQUIRES
No ongoing study required.
Reserves are disclosed up front.
The Alaska Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act lets boards reserve, and its main reserve rule applies to new developments.
A certified reserve budget at the start
- The Public Offering Statement for a new community must include a projected budget.
- It must also include the assumptions behind the reserve amounts.
- Those reserve assumptions must be certified by a certified architect or engineer.
WHY IT MATTERS IN ALASKA
A local lender sets
its own reserve bar.
AHFC expects an adequate reserve fund
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation guidelines say an association must establish and maintain an adequate reserve fund for common area repairs and replacements. Fall short and AHFC, conventional and FHA lenders may not write loans in the building.
No safe harbor for the board
Because Alaska has no ongoing study mandate, the board’s defense after a major failure is that it acted with ordinary prudence. A professional study is the record of that.
Fannie Mae’s rules tighten
For loan applications dated on or after August 3, 2026, most condo loans get a full project review, and the reserve minimum rises from 10% to 15% of assessment income on January 4, 2027. A current study’s highest recommended contribution is the alternative.
HOW SMARTPROPERTY HELPS
Compliance is the floor.
Funding stability is the goal.
Full reserve studies and updates
A site-inspected study to start, then updates as costs and conditions change, so the board always has a current plan.
A plan that stays current
The Living Reserve Study® updates as projects are completed and costs change, so your plan is ready for the next update or budget.
Funding options the board can compare
Model higher contributions, special assessments, loans or lines of credit side by side before you take a recommendation to owners.
Numbers you can explain
Atlas shows the cost data and useful-life assumptions behind every figure, so boards can answer owner questions with confidence.
TALK WITH SMARTPROPERTY ABOUT ALASKA
Get your Alaska reserve plan
on solid ground.
See how the Living Reserve Study® works for your community, or tell us about your association and we’ll put together a proposal.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Denali: NPS Photo / Emily Mesner, Public domain. Alaska law summary is not legal advice. Confirm your association’s obligations with Alaska counsel.