Gov. Ron DeSantis works toward relief for condo owners after new building requirement
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable discussion in Pinellas Park about condo safety in Florida on Thursday.
DeSantis spoke at the Pinellas Park Public Works Operation Center with condo owners and association leaders about the policies in place.
There are growing issues amongst condo owners that may have a hefty price tag by the end of the year.
A similar roundtable was held last week in Miami Lakes regarding the concerns of cost and implementation of new legislation.
“I am glad to continue discussions with condo residents about how to best achieve sensible policies regarding condo safety and transparency,” DeSantis said.
According to the Governor’s press office, Gov. DeSantis is working toward relief for condo owners who are hit with fees and assessments as buildings try to meet new safety requirements.
“Make sure that we have transparency, make sure that we have a strong commitment to our residents, but also making sure that residents are able to enjoy life, stay in their units,” DeSantis said.
In response to the Surfside condo collapse that happened three years ago, legislation initiated requirements for condo associations to complete regular safety inspections and make preventative repairs to make sure the condos are safe.
“The reality is, is that is something that is a concern, obviously Champlain Towers is not the only condo building in the state of Florida. We’ve got them up and down the coast, particularly in Southeast Florida and particularly here in Pinellas County,” DeSantis said.
Buildings older than 30 years must have inspections and critical repairs completed by December 31, or owners and associations could pay fines.
“When legislature took up some of the condo issues, they were doing it without really having a definitive explanation of what happened at Champlain towers,” DeSantis said.
The Governor said he wants to get feedback from people and hear their concerns to come up with a solution that will be signed into law by the end of the year.
“Keep the feedback coming, talk to your representatives, talk to your state senators. We have a lot of good ideas, I think, I think we have a sense of what a lot of the major problems are,” DeSantis said.
Gov. DeSantis signed House Bill 1021 which enhances accountability for condo board members, improves transparency for residents, and strengthens enforcement mechanisms.
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