Florida Condo Law Update: New Deadline Extension for Structural Integrity Studies in 2025
- Anthony Johnson
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
What is the New Florida Condo Law About, and When Does It Take Effect?
Starting July 1, 2025, a new law that Governor Ron DeSantis will soon sign will change critical timelines and requirements for Florida condominium safety regulations. House Bill 913 (HB 913), passed unanimously by the Florida House and Senate, extends the deadline for structural integrity reserve studies by one year, from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026.
This update to the condominium safety laws comes as part of an effort to ease financial pressure on homeowners and associations while still prioritizing building safety after the tragic 2021 Surfside condo collapse that killed 98 people.
Why Was the Florida Condo Safety Law Updated Again?
After the Surfside tragedy, lawmakers passed strict condo safety legislation in 2022 and again in 2023, including:
Milestone Inspections for aging buildings (three stories or higher), originally due by the end of 2024.
Structural Integrity Reserve Studies to ensure associations budget properly for future major repairs.
While well-intentioned, these mandates caused financial strain for many condo associations and owners. Some residents were hit with large assessments to comply with the original deadlines, and many feared they might be forced out of their homes due to skyrocketing costs.
During a press event in Tampa, Governor DeSantis acknowledged these concerns, saying, "You had people that were going to be forced out of their condos potentially because of legislation that had come down the pipe."
What Does HB 913 Change Specifically?
The law taking effect July 1 introduces three key updates:
Deadline Extension:
Structural Integrity Reserve Studies must be completed by December 31, 2026, giving associations an extra year to comply.
Temporary Reserve Funding Pause:
Condo associations can temporarily pause reserve contributions for up to two years immediately following a milestone inspection.
Greater Reserve Flexibility:
Associations will have more flexibility in meeting reserve funding requirements, reducing the likelihood of sudden large assessments for owners.
What Are Milestone Inspections and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies?
Milestone Inspections are evaluations required for condos three stories or higher and older than 30 years (or 25 years if near the coast). These inspections assess the building's structural condition and safety.
Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS) determine how much money must be reserved for future critical repairs, such as concrete restoration, roof replacement, and waterproofing.
These requirements were implemented to avoid deferred maintenance issues that contributed to the collapse of Champlain Towers South.
What Should Florida Condo Owners and Boards Do Now?
Here are a few action steps for condo boards and unit owners:
Understand Your New Timeline:
With the SIRS deadline pushed to the end of 2026, associations have more breathing room but should still begin planning early.
Schedule Inspections Early:
Milestone inspections are still required, and delays in scheduling engineers can create bottlenecks.
Communicate with Owners:
Clearly explain the new law's impact and how assessments and reserve contributions may change in the short term.
Review Your Reserve Plan:
Take advantage of the new flexibility while still ensuring long-term building safety and financial health.
Why This Law Matters
This new legislation attempts to balance safety and affordability for Florida's 1.5 million condo unit owners. It gives associations more time and options while highlighting the importance of long-term structural health.
As more buildings age and climate conditions remain unpredictable, proactive maintenance and responsible financial planning will remain essential in Florida's condominium communities.
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