2025 Florida Condo Law Updates: What Associations and Owners Need to Know

Florida’s condominium laws continue to evolve in response to the state’s unique climate challenges and the need for stronger oversight in community governance. The 2025 legislative session brought several significant changes that condominium associations, unit owners, and community association managers should be aware of.

Below are the key updates introduced through Florida House Bill 913 and related statutory revisions:

New Obligations for Community Association Managers

Florida House Bill 913 introduces stricter legal obligations for licensed Community Association Managers (CAMs) and management firms.

• CAMs are now explicitly prohibited from taking any actions that violate state law or assisting board members in doing so.

• This measure is intended to strengthen accountability and help protect associations from mismanagement or misconduct.

• Managers must ensure their advice and actions remain compliant with Florida statutes and the association’s governing documents.

This shift underscores the state’s focus on professional responsibility and ethical governance within community associations.

Hurricane Shutter Responsibilities Shift to Associations

A major update affects who pays for hurricane shutter removal and reinstallation when structural work is performed on a condominium building:

• If an association must remove a unit owner’s hurricane shutters to complete structural repairs, the association is now responsible for the cost of removal and reinstallation.

• However, there is a key exception: if the original or amended declaration of condominium places this cost on the unit owner, that provision still controls.

This marks the third change in this area of the law in as many years, highlighting Florida’s ongoing effort to balance owner protections with association responsibilities after major storm events.

Expanded Oversight from the State Division

The Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes has seen its jurisdiction broadened.

The Division can now investigate complaints related to:

• Director education requirements

• Fidelity bonding of association officers and employees

• Structural integrity reserve studies (SIRS)

This expansion aims to improve compliance and safety, especially following the implementation of new structural integrity requirements after the Surfside tragedy.

Insurance Requirements See Subtle But Important Change

For years, the Florida Condominium Act required associations to insure condominium property for full replacement value based on an appraisal updated every three years.

• Under the new law, associations “may” base their insurance coverage on appraised replacement value, rather than being strictly required to.

While this softens the mandate, associations should carefully review their coverage levels to avoid underinsuring and putting owners at risk of special assessments after major losses.

What This Means for Boards and Owners

These 2025 updates reinforce Florida’s commitment to safe, transparent, and well-governed condominium communities. Boards should:

• Review their declarations and governing documents to see how these updates apply.

• Consult legal counsel or their CAMs to update policies and procedures accordingly.

• Communicate changes to owners so everyone understands shifting responsibilities and protections.

By staying proactive and informed, associations can avoid legal pitfalls and better protect the investments of their residents.Connect with us for more details.

~Felicia, xoxo