New Condo Reforms Become Law

Florida lawmakers met at the end of May, 2022, for a special session that included condominium life/safety reforms. The call for condominium reform was In response to the 2021 Surfside tragedy that killed 98 people.

As a result of the special session, lawmakers passed, and the governor signed Senate Bill 4D. This bill provides an overhaul of the high-rise inspection law, requires more frequent recertification of safety standards and mandates that condo boards build up reserves so they can make needed repairs. Changes in the bill include:

• Creates a statewide "milestone inspection" requirement for condominiums and cooperative buildings that are three stories or higher 30 years after initial occupancy, and 25 years after initial occupancy for buildings located within three miles of the coast. 
• Requires inspections every 10 years after a building's initial "phase 1" inspection.
• Requires an additional, more intensive inspection, or a "phase 2" inspection, if a building's initial inspection reveals substantial structural deterioration.
• Beginning in 2024, condo associations are required to conduct a structural integrity reserve study at least every ten years and prevents needed reserves from being waived.