Florida Lawmakers Adjust Condo Safety Law to Ease Financial Pressure on Owners
May 7, 2025
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May 7, 2025
Originally reported by NPR: Florida Condo Safety Law
In response to growing concerns from condominium owners across Florida, state lawmakers have approved a new measure that balances structural safety requirements with the financial realities facing older condominium communities. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.
Following the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which claimed 98 lives, Florida passed strict legislation in 2022 requiring:
Milestone structural inspections for buildings over 30 years old
Full funding of reserves for future repairs, based on structural integrity studies
While aimed at improving safety, these mandates have imposed high costs on older condominium buildings, leading to steep special assessments and, in some cases, owners being priced out of their homes.
To address these unintended financial consequences, Florida’s legislature has approved a compromise bill that includes:
✅ A two-year extension for completing required structural inspections
✅ A grace period before associations must fully fund reserves
✅ Authorization for associations to seek loans and lines of credit—with majority owner approval—to finance major repairs
According to Rep. Vicki Lopez, the bill’s sponsor in the House, the goal is to “balance the safety of our constituents with the incredible financial impact” of earlier legislation.
Condominium boards now have:
More time to comply with the inspection and reserve mandates
Greater flexibility in securing funding for essential repairs
Continued responsibility to communicate with residents and plan strategically for long-term maintenance
At GPL Management, we support boards by:
Guiding associations through structural inspection compliance
Coordinating reserve studies and funding plans
Assisting with financial strategy, including lending options
Florida lawmakers acknowledge that the new law may require further updates. As Sen. Shevrin Jones noted, “I’m sure we will have to come back and do more work.”
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, GPL Management remains committed to helping boards navigate these changes, protect their communities, and plan responsibly for the future.