Florida's New Condo Safety Law Decoded: Expert Insights from Industry Leaders
What an incredible turnout at our Florida Condo Safety Webinar! We are thrilled to share that over 260 attendees, including property managers, board members, and condo owners joined us to dive deep into Florida's critical building safety legislation. Your enthusiasm and thoughtful questions made this event truly dynamic.
The packed virtual room spoke volumes about how seriously Florida's condo community takes these new safety requirements – and rightly so. Let's unpack everything we covered during this game-changing session.
Event Resources
If you missed the webinar or want to watch the replay, the webinar replay is now available:
📽️Watch the full webinar replay here
Expert Q&A Highlights
Our panelists tackled these crucial questions from the community:
Compliance & Deadlines
Q: Does every condo need to meet deadlines and can they be extended?
Applies to buildings three stories or more
Two key pillars: inspections and reserves
Deadlines are approaching quickly (within 5-6 weeks for many)
Underground parking questions should be directed to local building departments
Focus on building condition awareness and fiscal responsibility
Scope & Applicability
Q: Is this for residential only? What about condo-hotels and beachside properties?
Primary focus is on residential condominiums and cooperatives
Location requirement (two miles from ocean) has been removed
Local building departments now determine timeframes based on environmental conditions
Experts recommend all structures prioritize safety inspections regardless of classification
Milestone Inspections
Q: What are the milestone inspection requirements and who can perform them?
Qualified professionals: Engineers or architects with relevant experience
Requirements vary by county (e.g., Miami requires structural engineers)
Cost range: $4,000 to $25,000+, depending on building size and location
Focus on experience with concrete restoration is crucial
Testing & Assessment
Q: What types of testing are available?
Range from non-invasive to comprehensive structural analysis
Whole-structure testing helps understand overall capacity
GPR and other localized testing methods available
New laws encourage testing to prevent surprise failures
Document Management
Q: Why should boards manage property records themselves?
Ultimate responsibility lies with the board, not property managers
Critical for continuity as property managers change
Essential for efficient inspections and compliance
Independent document control recommended beyond property management systems
Financial Management
Q: How can boards manage major capital expenses from structural issues?
Professional oversight is crucial
Board members shouldn't personally supervise construction
Licensed Florida engineers should oversee repairs
Multiple financing options should be considered
Getting Ready for Inspections
Q: What documents should boards prepare?
Historical blueprints and architectural drawings
Past repair and maintenance records
Current project documentation
Engineering reports and maintenance logs
Complete building history documentation
The webinar's success shows how seriously Florida's condo community takes these new requirements. Remember, early action not only ensures compliance but often results in significant cost savings.
Meet Our Distinguished Expert Panel
We had the honor of hosting an exceptional group of distinguished professionals who shared their invaluable expertise during this important discussion. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our remarkable panel of experts:
Trish Mackie-Smith: CEO and Co-founder of inndox, cutting-edge property management software.
Andrew Mackie-Smith: Co-Founder of inndox and a highly awarded Building Consultant.
Tom Winant: President of STRAAM Group, bringing extensive experience in structural health monitoring and condition assessment of buildings and bridges.
Dr. Alan P. Jeary: Partner of STRAAM Group, structural performance monitoring and analysis expert.
Ken Direktor: Chair of Becker’s Community Association practice group and Board Certified Specialist in condominium and planned development law.
Alistair Dearie: Founder of Lam Development Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in construction and project monitoring.
Shirish Rajpathak (Raj): President of SRI Consultants Inc, a Florida-based structural engineering firm.
Take Action with inndox
Stay ahead of compliance with our cloud-based asset management system designed to help property managers and condo associations address the new laws:
✅ Easily track and manage inspection schedules
✅ Store and organize crucial documents
✅ Streamline communication with residents and officials
✅ Ensure ongoing compliance with regulations
