ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Back in 2021, 98 people were killed after the Champlain Towers collapsed in Surfside.
In response to the tragedy, lawmakers passed a measure during a 2022 special session aimed at requiring condominium associations to have financial reserves to pay for needed repairs to buildings.
A 2022 bill set requirements for inspections of condominium buildings that are three stories or higher. But now, some condo owners are being hit with huge assessments and fees to meet the new law’s deadline early in the new year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is aware of the problem and wants solutions before the end of the year.
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Yesterday in Miami Lakes, he said, “Is there ways you could potentially provide, some, some low interest loans, perhaps, to help, get these things done so that you don’t have crushing assessments. So I think that there’s a lot of ideas out there. But the bottom line is this: we want our condos to be safe in the state of Florida.”
DeSantis is calling for action before the 2025 regular Legislative Session starts on March 4, 2025.
But Republican Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has ruled out a special Legislative Session before the November election to address condo issues.
In a memo she said, “In my view, no law is perfect... I believe the upcoming committee weeks and regular session following our post-election reorganization provide the best opportunity for this type of dialogue.”
State Rep. Anna Eskamani agrees they need to meet right away. She said:
“We don’t want other Surfside here in Florida. But we have so many condo owners, especially right here in my district, that they cannot afford the special assessments alongside increase of their condo insurance rates alongside just basic cost of living... We have been pushing our Republican leadership to call for a special session and to develop a glide path. But that decision really lies in Republican leadership, not so much in the Democratic minority.”
Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani
Some people can’t afford the new assessments and fees and want to sell their condo, but many sellers become hesitant after seeing the disclosure regarding the fees.
Gov. DeSantis and Rep. Eskamani both say if you are experiencing issues with your condo association fees, reach out to your local state Legislator.
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