Delaware's Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act expects condominiums and cooperatives to have a current reserve study, defined as one performed or updated within the last 5 years. Budgets must fund the repair and replacement reserve at the level the study calls for, with minimum percentages of 5, 10 or 15 percent set by statute. Condominiums and cooperatives with no more than 20 units are largely outside the act unless they opt in, and planned communities are not covered by the reserve study text.
Last verified October 12, 2026 by ReservePath research.
| Reserve study required | For some associations |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Condominiums, Cooperatives |
| How often | Every 5 years |
| Site inspection required | No statewide rule found |
For condominiums and cooperatives, the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act refers to a current reserve study "as required by this chapter" and defines a reserve study as one performed or updated within the last 5 years [25 Del. C. 81-103(40), 81-315(a)(2)]. We did not find a separate sentence that orders an association to obtain a study. A condominium or cooperative with no more than 20 units is outside most of the act unless its declaration opts in [25 Del. C. 81-117]. The older Unit Property Act uses the same 5 year definition for condominiums it governs [25 Del. C. 2202(17)]. (see sources)
We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.
We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.
The annual budget of a condominium or cooperative must include a line item payment into the repair and replacement reserve that reaches or keeps the funding level in the reserve study. The act also sets a minimum share of the budget for that reserve: 15 percent if the board maintains 4 or more of the listed components, 10 percent for 3, and 5 percent for 2 or fewer. The same minimums apply if there is no current study [25 Del. C. 81-315(a)(2)]. The proposed budget must show a line item for any required reserve funding [25 Del. C. 81-324(a)]. The Unit Property Act has the same minimum percentages for condominiums it governs [25 Del. C. 2244]. (see sources)
A resale certificate for a condominium or cooperative must include the current balance of the repair and replacement reserve and a copy of the most recent reserve study (25 Del. C. 81-409). The public offering statement must state the amount in the budget for the repair and replacement reserve, or that there is none (25 Del. C. 81-403). The association must keep its most recent reserve study with its records (25 Del. C. 81-318). (see sources)
The study must be an analysis by one or more independent engineering, architectural or construction contractors, or other qualified persons (25 Del. C. 81-103). (see sources)
ReservePath supports full studies, updates with a site visit and updates without one, 30-year funding projections, and study renewal reminders based on the cycle you set for each study. It includes in-app compliance guidance for each state as a starting point. The preparer and the association's attorney remain responsible for confirming what the law requires.
For condominiums and cooperatives, the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act refers to a current reserve study "as required by this chapter" and defines a reserve study as one performed or updated within the last 5 years [25 Del. C. 81-103(40), 81-315(a)(2)]. We did not find a separate sentence that orders an association to obtain a study. A condominium or cooperative with no more than 20 units is outside most of the act unless its declaration opts in [25 Del. C. 81-117]. The older Unit Property Act uses the same 5 year definition for condominiums it governs [25 Del. C. 2202(17)].
Every 5 years under the statutes listed on this page.
The study must be an analysis by one or more independent engineering, architectural or construction contractors, or other qualified persons (25 Del. C. 81-103).
The annual budget of a condominium or cooperative must include a line item payment into the repair and replacement reserve that reaches or keeps the funding level in the reserve study. The act also sets a minimum share of the budget for that reserve: 15 percent if the board maintains 4 or more of the listed components, 10 percent for 3, and 5 percent for 2 or fewer. The same minimums apply if there is no current study [25 Del. C. 81-315(a)(2)]. The proposed budget must show a line item for any required reserve funding [25 Del. C. 81-324(a)]. The Unit Property Act has the same minimum percentages for condominiums it governs [25 Del. C. 2244].
A resale certificate for a condominium or cooperative must include the current balance of the repair and replacement reserve and a copy of the most recent reserve study (25 Del. C. 81-409). The public offering statement must state the amount in the budget for the repair and replacement reserve, or that there is none (25 Del. C. 81-403). The association must keep its most recent reserve study with its records (25 Del. C. 81-318).
Track components, funding and renewal dates for every association in one place.
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