Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed HB 913, a Florida REALTORS®-backed bill that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
It amends Florida’s Condominium Act (specifically §718.503) to introduce several pro‑consumer reforms aimed at easing cost burdens on condo owners—especially retirees and those on fixed incomes—while maintaining strong safety protections.
What’s Changing?
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Extended Deadlines & Flexible Reserve Funding
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Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS) deadlines are pushed back to December 31, 2025, and milestone inspection requirements now apply only to buildings with three habitable stories or more.
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Condominium associations can now pause reserve contributions temporarily (up to two years post-inspection) and fund them via loans or lines of credit with majority approval, offering immediate relief from steep HOA fees.
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Enhanced Disclosure & Document Transparency
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Associations must post approved board meeting minutes (past 12 months), financial documents, inspection results, and vendor contracts online—for free public access. Buyers get a seven-day rescission window after receiving governing documents.
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Conflict-of-interest rules are tightened: managers and bidders must fully disclose relationships, and contracts without disclosure can be voided.
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Stronger Oversight & Accountability
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The legislation empowers condo owners to fire managers for legal violations, mandates competitive bidding and conflict disclosures, and requires condo associations to electronically report key operational data to the State’s Division of Condominiums.
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Insurance & Hurricane Risk Protections
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Associations must secure insurance based on three-year replacement-cost appraisals and windstorm coverage for a 250-year probable maximum loss.
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Boards gain expanded emergency powers, including evacuation authority, and protections against management unlicensed by DBPR for ten years. flgov.com.
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Why Does This Matter?
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For Existing Condo Owners: Monthly HOA fees may drop or stabilize—funding reserve accounts through credit eases immediate financial pressure, particularly vital in areas recovering from hurricanes or rising insurance costs.
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For Buyers & REALTORS®: Enhanced transparency—access to documents, disclosures of pending assessments, and a longer inspection window—helps reduce post-closing surprises and lawsuits.
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For Industry Professionals: New rules demand diligence— RE agents, lenders, and title companies must factor these evolving protocols into sales timelines and due diligence routines.
Are There Any Next Steps?
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Homeowners: Review your BOD’s reserve studies, insurance policies, and upcoming timelines. Consider pausing reserve contributions if top priorities have been met.
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REALTORS® & Brokers: Register for the free June 30 webinar (1 p.m.) by Florida Realtors’ legal team to learn how to update rider documents, addendum forms, and compliance checklists. apnews.com+2floridarealtors.org+2flsenate.gov+2.
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Buyers: Take advantage of the extended rescission period and carefully evaluate association financials, liens, and inspections before closing.
Final Word
HB 913 delivers a thoughtful course correction to Florida’s condo regulations: preserving critical safety measures introduced post-Surfside, while reducing financial stress on residents. By reinforcing transparency, flexibility, and accountability, this law offers a meaningful win for homeowners, real estate professionals, and the industry alike.
