Florida House Approves Condo Relief Plan Amid Safety Law Reforms

The Florida House overwhelmingly passed a bill Wednesday aimed at easing financial pressures on condominium owners while clarifying safety regulations introduced after the 2021 Surfside condo collapse that killed 98 people.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami), seeks to address confusion from 2022 and 2023 laws requiring milestone inspections and structural reserve studies for older, three-story or taller buildings. Many condo owners, particularly those on fixed incomes, faced steep special assessments to meet new compliance deadlines.

The new proposal (HB 913) would allow associations to use lines of credit instead of upfront reserve funds, offering financial flexibility. It also clarifies that only buildings with three habitable stories must undergo milestone inspections. Additionally, it would permit electronic voting in condo elections and prevent companies conducting reserve studies from bidding on subsequent repair work to avoid conflicts of interest.

A similar Senate bill (SB 1742) would also allow associations to pause reserve contributions for up to two years.

Supporters, including Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), praised the move for helping residents afford necessary repairs without risking displacement. Gov. Ron DeSantis, however, criticized House leaders for delaying action, noting the devastating impact large assessments have had on condo owners.

Both House and Senate bills would also raise the repair cost threshold for mandatory study items from $10,000 to $25,000 and require a standardized form for reserve studies through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Negotiations between the chambers are expected ahead of the legislative session’s scheduled end on May 2.