Introduction to Condo Law Reforms
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said he will soon sign a bill that would change condominium-safety laws passed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside that killed 98 people.
The wide-ranging bill (HB 913), approved unanimously by the House and Senate, has not been formally sent to DeSantis, who made revising condo laws one of his top priorities of this year’s legislative session. The changes came after residents and associations argued that the laws passed in recent years were driving up costs.
Background on the Laws
The laws, passed in 2022 and tweaked in 2023, included requiring “milestone inspections” of older buildings and “structural integrity reserve studies” to determine how much money should be saved for future major repairs. Milestone inspections were supposed to be completed by the end of 2024 for certain older buildings that are three stories or higher. Some condo associations hit owners with large assessments in the race to comply with the deadline. Assessments are in addition to homeowners’ regular association fees.
Proposed Changes to Condo Laws
The law, which will take effect July 1, extends by one year the deadline for structural-integrity studies, which currently must be completed by Dec. 31. Lawmakers argued many condo associations were struggling to meet the deadline. The bill also would allow a temporary pause in reserve funding for two years immediately following a milestone inspection and give condo associations more flexibility on meeting reserve requirements. “You had people that were going to be forced out of their condos potentially because of legislation that had come down the pipe,” DeSantis said Tuesday during an appearance in Tampa.
Impact on Condo Owners and Associations
The changes aim to alleviate the financial burden on condo owners while maintaining the safety standards introduced after the Surfside disaster. By extending deadlines and providing more flexibility, the new law seeks to balance the need for safety with the financial realities faced by condo associations and their members.
Conclusion
The revisions to the condo laws reflect a response to the concerns of condo owners and associations regarding the feasibility and cost implications of the original legislation. By addressing these concerns, the state aims to ensure that the necessary safety measures are in place without unnecessarily displacing residents. Originally Published: May 21, 2025 at 8:46 AM EDT
FAQs
- Q: What prompted the revision of condo laws in Florida?
- A: The revision was prompted by concerns from condo owners and associations that the laws passed after the Surfside disaster were driving up costs and potentially forcing people out of their homes.
- Q: What are the key changes in the new law?
- A: The law extends the deadline for structural-integrity studies, allows a temporary pause in reserve funding, and gives condo associations more flexibility on meeting reserve requirements.
- Q: When will the new law take effect?
- A: The law will take effect on July 1.
- Q: What was the original deadline for milestone inspections?
- A: The original deadline for milestone inspections for certain older buildings was the end of 2024.
- Q: Why did the state revise the condo laws?
- A: The state revised the laws to balance safety standards with the financial realities faced by condo owners and associations, aiming to prevent unnecessary displacement of residents while ensuring building safety.
