When can HOAs borrow from reserve funds?

Q: Can major landscape renovation use reserve funds when too little funds are available as a line item?

— M.K., San Diego

Q: Should HOA boards expense directly out of reserves without establishing a maintenance budget annually?

— D.L., San Marcos

A: The reserve fund is established so that the homeowners association (HOA) can build up money to offset the ongoing deterioration of common area components included in the HOA’s reserve study. If the reserve study included landscaping elements...