New State HOA Reserve Law Takes Effect January 1 — What Boards Must Have Done by Then

Condo and HOA boards face a hard deadline on reserve studies and funding. If your association hasn't voted on its study, it's already late.

• Structural-integrity reserve studies due for covered buildings.
• Boards can no longer waive certain reserve funding by simple vote.
• Managers say late associations should expect rush fees from inspectors.

January 1 is the hard edge of Florida's post-Surfside building-safety laws, and associations that haven't finished their reserve studies are out of runway.

The law requires covered condo and HOA buildings to complete a structural-integrity reserve study and — the part boards keep tripping on — removes the old simple-vote option to waive funding for key components like roofs, structure, and waterproofing.

Property managers across the state say inspection firms are booked out; associations starting now should expect rush pricing and thin choices.