Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged lawmakers on Monday to address the financial struggles facing condominium associations and owners, including skyrocketing costs, before the 2025 regular legislative session begins in March.
Speaking at the Roberto Alonso Community Center in Miami Lakes, DeSantis proposed no-interest or low-interest loans to assist condo owners facing large assessments for repairs and other expenses.
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“We need to do something this year,” DeSantis said. “I don’t think this is something that you can just put off until next March or April.”
DeSantis called for swift legislative action, noting that lawmakers should consult with their constituents and develop solutions before the year’s end. He stressed the importance of ensuring that condo owners, particularly those facing large financial burdens, can remain in their homes.
Legislators are not expected to return to Tallahassee until after the November elections, but committee meetings are scheduled to begin in December, ahead of the 2025 session. House and Senate committees will meet throughout December and early 2025.
The governor’s comments come after a series of legislative measures following the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which killed 98 people. In 2022, lawmakers passed a bill requiring condominium associations to maintain adequate financial reserves for building repairs and to conduct regular inspections for structures over three stories high. This law was adjusted in 2023, with additional reforms targeting misconduct by association board members.
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However, with rising property insurance costs and deferred maintenance leading to large assessments, many condo owners, particularly seniors on fixed incomes, are struggling to keep up. State Rep. Tom Fabricio, who joined DeSantis at the event, called the issue “probably the most important issue in the state of Florida at this time.”
Fabricio noted that deferred maintenance by many condo boards is forcing owners to pay hefty assessments, which has led to difficulties in selling units. “It’s causing a problem for these seniors,” Fabricio said.
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Despite the urgency expressed by DeSantis and Fabricio, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo ruled out a special session before the November election. In a memo to senators, Passidomo emphasized that condo laws could be revisited during the upcoming committee meetings and the 2025 regular session. She also addressed “misconceptions” about previous condo laws, advocating for a thorough legislative process that involves collaboration and stakeholder input.
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