Governor Ron DeSantis has called for the Florida Legislature to modify the Condo Safety Law he signed after the Surfside tragedy of 2021 to ease the financial burden on condo owners. The law was initially enacted in response to the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which caused the deaths of 98 people, 2ho mandate stringent safety inspections and repair schedules for aging buildings.
The measure also mandates that condo boards maintain fully funded reserves starting next year. DeSantis argues that the law, while well-intentioned, has created significant financial and logistical burdens for condominium associations and homeowners.
At a press conference in Aventura, Gov. DeSantis emphasized the need for a balanced approach that ensures safety while also considering the economic impact on residents.
"The Legislature has ideas to make this more sensible for people," said DeSantis.
DeSantis said the media pushed for the reforms.
"First of all it was this massive tragedy," said DeSantis. "Within 24 hours the media was like, 'you need to do this law' and I'm like 'We don't even know what happened yet! Just give us some time
Since the Law was signed, horror stories of Florida residents, including seniors, facing six-figure special assessments have emerged.
Aventura condo owner Judith Weinberg said she currently is paying three special assessments and may be facing a fourth.
"They are hard. They are challenging," said Weinberg. "Many of us are semi-retired. It is challenging and I will leave it at that."
Weinberg feels confident the law can be modified to ease the burden on her and others in her situation.
"I think if we stick together maybe we can do something to address the issue and make it more reasonable," said Weinberg.
DeSantis said he would like the Legislature to take action.
"There was always the possibility that there could be unintended consequences," said DeSantis. "I think [The Legislature] owe it to their constituents to listen to them. We obviously want everybody to be safe."
"If the Legislators talk to their folks and have some proposals to provide some reforms that would alleviate some of that burden I think that would be a welcome thing," said DeSantis. "That's going to have to be something that they are developing after talking to the folks that were affected by it."
Hialeah State Rep Alex Rizo says the Legislature is open to changing the law.
"When we passed the condo law we knew there would be some pain to getting 20-25% of a reserve basically overnight," said Rizo. "We are open to any sort of idea. Any sort of easing to get there. Because we know that we have to get there, but we are open to it."
Rizo says he does not expect there will be action on this item until after the election.sxfxfxff
"It could happen as early as November 6," said Rizo.
