What You Need to Know About Florida’s New Condo Rules

If you're buying a Florida condominium, you’ve probably heard about some important new rules that affect all condo communities. These rules are designed to make sure buildings are safe and that associations are financially prepared for big repairs down the road. Two things you’ll be hearing a lot about are the Milestone Inspection and the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS).

Here’s how it works:

First comes the Milestone Inspection. This is a building “check-up” done by an engineer or architect to look at the overall safety and structure of your condo. If your building is three stories or taller, it must have its first inspection once it reaches 30 years old (or 25 years if it’s close to the coast). After that, the inspection is repeated every 10 years.

Once the Milestone Inspection is finished, the next step is the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS). This study looks at the major parts of your building—like the roof, walls, and plumbing—and figures out how much money needs to be set aside for future repairs or replacements. Unlike in the past, condo boards can’t skip or underfund these reserves anymore.

For owners, this means two things: more peace of mind knowing your building is being watched carefully for safety, and possibly higher association fees so the community can save properly. While it may feel like an extra cost today, these steps help protect your investment and ensure your home stays safe for years to come.