Posted by Brian Pearl on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 12:23pm.
On June 23, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two major pieces of legislation aimed at supporting Florida condominium owners: House Bill 913 (HB 913) and House Bill 393 (HB 393). These new laws provide crucial financial flexibility, promote transparency, and offer targeted support for hurricane mitigation upgrades.
The My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program and the related legislation—HB 913 and HB 393—are being enacted in direct response to the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida, on June 24, 2021. That catastrophic event claimed 98 lives and exposed serious structural, financial, and oversight issues within Florida's aging condominium buildings. The tragedy served as a painful wake-up call, prompting state lawmakers, building officials, and the public to scrutinize how condos are maintained, inspected, and funded.
In the years since, Florida has implemented stricter inspection requirements and reserve funding mandates for condominium associations—aimed at preventing another Surfside. However, those measures, while necessary for public safety, have led to unintended financial burdens for many condo owners, particularly retirees and those in older buildings. The new laws, effective July 1, 2025, seek to strike a better balance: preserving life safety standards while providing financial flexibility, greater government oversight, and state-backed grant funding for critical structural upgrades. By offering both accountability and assistance, Florida aims to ensure its coastal communities are not only safe, but sustainable for the long term.
HB (House Bill) 913 introduces sweeping changes to how condominiums and cooperatives are regulated in Florida. The bill addresses key pain points reported by owners and associations, especially in the wake of rising insurance premiums and reserve funding requirements.
Reserve Study Adjustments: Associations now have a one-year extension to meet reserve study requirements. Additionally, there's a two-year pause permitted for reserve contributions, allowing buildings to direct funds toward immediate, critical repairs identified in milestone inspections.
Increased Cost Thresholds: The threshold for replacement costs included in the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) has been raised from $10,000 to $25,000. This change helps associations focus on repairs that truly impact structural safety.
Flexible Reserve Funding: Associations can now explore alternative funding options, particularly for components with remaining useful life. This eases the pressure on associations facing tight timelines and high costs.
Manager Oversight: The law gives associations the authority to terminate contracts with managers who do not comply with Florida’s condo laws. Moreover, any manager whose license has been revoked by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is barred from holding management roles for 10 years.
Procurement and Conflict of Interest: Competitive bidding is now mandatory for all condo repair contracts. Managers and board members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to prevent self-dealing and safeguard the association's financial interests.
Improved Access to Records: Associations must now provide essential documents and records online, enabling easier access for owners. They are also permitted to deliver communications electronically to save on costs and streamline operations.
Enhanced Owner Participation: The bill encourages broader participation by authorizing electronic voting and remote board meetings, making it easier for owners to be involved in governance decisions.
Stronger Regulatory Oversight: Associations must now report detailed information to the DBPR, facilitating state-level monitoring. Local and state agencies are also required to share data to better enforce building safety compliance.
Financial Transparency: Associations must provide owners with easier access to financial records. Associations also get more time to complete financial statements, while prospective buyers now have seven days (up from three) to review financial documents before closing.
House Bill 393 makes strategic updates to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at improving storm resilience through state-funded inspections and mitigation grants.
Grant Use Restrictions: The program now limits funding to improvements that result in insurance discounts, mitigation credits, or rate reductions. This ensures state funds go toward impactful upgrades that reduce long-term risk and cost.
Lowered Approval Threshold: To qualify for program grants, only 75% of owners residing in the structure must approve—down from a previous requirement of 100%. This change allows more associations to access funds.
Expanded Eligibility for Improvements: Roof coverings are now included in the list of eligible improvements. This expands the scope of the program to address one of the most critical aspects of hurricane protection.
Compliance Requirements: Associations that are not up to date on their Structural Integrity Reserve Studies or Milestone Inspections are ineligible to apply. This ties funding access directly to safety compliance.
Eligibility Criteria: To participate, buildings must be at least three stories tall and contain a minimum of two single-family units. Detached or low-rise structures are not eligible under the current version of the program.
These two new laws offer a balanced approach to safety, cost management, and transparency. They allow condo boards to focus resources on the most urgent repairs without penalizing communities that are already financially strained. Simultaneously, the laws encourage smarter governance and give owners better visibility into how their money is managed.
Condo associations should begin evaluating their reserve plans, financial reports, and inspection schedules now to prepare for these new requirements. Associations interested in the My Safe Florida Condo grants should verify compliance with existing inspection laws and begin educating owners about the upcoming approval process.
For Florida's condo owners, especially those in coastal or high-risk hurricane zones, this legislative package delivers tangible relief and better future resilience.
Stay ahead of the curve by speaking with your property manager, legal counsel, or real estate advisor about how these changes will impact your building specifically. The July 1, 2025, start date gives you time—but proactive planning will ensure your community reaps the full benefits of this reform.
The program offers free wind mitigation inspections and grant funding for hurricane resilience improvements in eligible condominium buildings.
Both HB 913 and HB 393 take effect on July 1, 2025.
Condos with buildings at least three stories tall, containing two or more units, and compliant with required inspections and reserve studies are eligible.
Grants cover roof replacements, impact-resistant windows and doors, and other improvements that qualify for insurance discounts or mitigation credits.
HB 913 allows a two-year pause on reserve contributions, a one-year extension on reserve study deadlines, and increases the repair threshold from $10,000 to $25,000.
Associations must provide digital access to records, disclose funding plans for reserves, and give buyers more time to review condo financials before purchase.
Managers with revoked licenses are banned from management roles for 10 years. Associations can also terminate contracts for noncompliance.