DeSantis holds roundtable discussion on condo regulations

(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable discussion in Miami Lakes Monday to get input from condominium owners about new measures that have now been implemented in response to the Surfside condominium collapse.

The Champlain Towers in Surfside partially collapsed in June of 2021, resulting in the death of 98 people. The cause of the collapse has been possibly attributed to land subsidence and a lack of reinforcement. However, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is still investigating the cause.

"There was a desire in the Florida Legislature to do things to make sure, or to help ensure, that something like this would never happen again," DeSantis said.

Condo associations are regulated by localities in Florida, which vary on when safety inspections should be completed, including how much funds should be kept on hand for repairs, according to DeSantis.

"In response to Surfside, the Legislature initiated requirements for condo associations to complete regular safety inspections and to make preventative repairs to keep buildings safe," DeSantis said.

DeSantis added the deadline for these inspections is coming up at the end of 2024. Because of these assessments, large fees have been levied to meet the requirements of the inspections and repairs at the last minute. This is causing a huge strain for condo owners, and DeSantis noted the condo associations failed to keep the necessary funds on hand.

"Now these condo associations should have been keeping reserves on hand, but many failed to do so, or acted without the fiscal prudence they should have, to make sure these associations had the resources on hand to make the necessary repairs," DeSantis said.

DeSantis noted that because these condo associations were not fiscally responsible, the cost burdens for condo owners have now skyrocketed — with only a short deadline to pay.

"Now, this legislation was well intended, the Legislature engaged in a good-faith effort, but it sounds, and this is the feedback we've been receiving now for many months, it sounds like there are a lot of condo unit owners who are just not in the financial position to pay large assessments on such short deadline," DeSantis said.

DeSantis pointed out the state wants to hear from condo owners so they can better do something to help them ensure their homes are kept safe.