Key Points:

• No Safety, No Insurance: House Bill 913 proposes restricting Citizens Property Insurance for condos that fail to meet post-Surfside safety rules.
• Boards Get More Power: The bill allows condo boards to impose special assessments and secure loans for critical repairs—without a vote from unit owners.
• Transparency Boost: Stricter financial disclosures for condo-hotels aim to protect investors and ensure financial accountability.

Florida’s Push for Safer Condos

In the wake of the tragic Surfside condominium collapse, Florida lawmakers are taking bold steps to enforce safety and financial accountability in condo associations. House Bill 913, introduced by Rep. Vicki Lopez, proposes stronger compliance measures, enhanced governance, and increased financial transparency for condominium communities.

The bill’s most significant changes include restricting insurance for non-compliant buildings, empowering condo boards to fund repairs without owner approval, and requiring clearer financial disclosures for condo-hotels. These measures aim to prevent disasters, streamline decision-making, and ensure long-term property stability.

Let’s break down the biggest changes condo owners, investors, and associations need to watch.

No Safety? No Citizens Insurance

• The bill proposes denying access to Citizens Property Insurance—Florida’s last-resort insurance provider—to condo associations that fail to meet strict post-Surfside safety requirements.
• This move aims to force compliance with structural integrity standards by making insurance availability contingent on safety.
• Why it matters: Many older condo buildings rely on Citizens Insurance due to Florida’s volatile property insurance market. If associations don’t comply, they may be left without coverage, affecting property values and financial stability.

Special Assessments & Loans—No Vote Needed

• Condo boards will have the unilateral authority to impose special assessments and take out loans for necessary safety repairs—without needing a vote from unit owners.
• This change eliminates bureaucratic delays that can stall critical repairs, especially in aging buildings with structural concerns.
• The impact: Owners may face higher costs for repairs they didn’t vote on, but the law prioritizes safety over financial objections.

Condo-Hotel Transparency Overhaul

• The bill strengthens financial disclosure requirements for condo-hotels—properties that function as both condominiums and hotels.
• Investors and residents will receive more detailed financial reporting, ensuring clearer oversight of building finances and management.
• Why this matters: Many condo-hotels attract investors seeking passive income, but opaque financial practices have led to issues in the past. This rule improves investor confidence and market stability.

Faster Condo Terminations & Digital Voting

• For buildings burdened by massive repair costs, the bill simplifies the termination process—making it easier for developers to buy out units and redevelop properties.
• The bill also modernizes condo governance by allowing electronic voting, increasing participation among absentee and out-of-state owners.
• The impact: More streamlined decision-making could mean faster revitalization of aging buildings, but some owners may resist forced buyouts.

What’s Next?

House Bill 913 represents a major shift in Florida’s condo laws, prioritizing safety, accountability, and modernization. If passed, condo boards will gain more authority, insurance will be tied to compliance, and investors will benefit from stronger financial transparency.

For condo owners and associations, this bill signals a new era of governance—one where safety and responsibility take center stage.