Over the last twenty years I have had the privilege of meeting with many condominium and HOA boards and leaders. Some were seasoned and experienced while others were new and exposed to the culture of community living for the first time. All wanted to do their best, yet failings and mistakes were acknowledged. With the….
News
2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The team at Criterium encourages commercial and residential property owners, property managers, and HOA board members to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season which takes place June 1 through November 30 each year. This year’s Atlantic seasonal forecast was announced by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. They predict another ‘active’ Atlantic….
Condo Maintenance Lessons from a Board President in South Florida
My Journey as a Condo Board President: Essential Maintenance Tips When I first stepped into the role of condo board president here in Hollywood, Florida, I figured it would be mostly about keeping things fixed and making sure we stuck to the budget. Turns out, it’s a whole lot more than that. Taking care of….
Florida Condo Reserve Study Law Changes (2025)
Major updates and extended deadlines to Florida condo reserve legislation In June 2025, Florida enacted sweeping condo law reforms (via HB 913) affecting reserve studies and funding. These changes build on the post-Surfside requirements that all large condo associations conduct Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS) and fund the repair and replacement projects they recommend. The….
Understanding Reserve Studies for South Florida Condominiums: A Vital Guide for Board Members and Managers
Reserve Study South Florida: What You Should Know In South Florida, properly funding future repairs is more than just good practice – it’s the law. Whether you’re a property manager or a board member, a Reserve Study is one of the most important financial planning tools available to your condominium association. But what exactly is….
How to Hire a Condo Engineer: 4 Steps
Make sure you actually need one, too They don’t teach you how to hire an engineer in school. Indeed most folks have never had the occasion to hire an engineer or an architect in their whole life. This is also true for most condominium or HOA board members. So how does a condo board go….
Are You a Condo Leader?
With the dust of the election campaigns starting to settle, how often did we ask ourselves why would anyone put themselves through all that? Why risk personal reputation and consumption of precious time for such unguaranteed rewards? Or to the point of this article, why should you join the condo board?The answer(s) will be found….
The Future of Reserve Fund Studies: Enhanced Options
Enhanced Reserve Studies Offer More Detail What is your condo’s future? Many condo boards may believe the standard reserve fund study will provide the information necessary for a solid financial future for their community. This traditional tool has served well for many associations, but more and more associations are now using a more sophisticated plan,….
Reserve Studies vs. Condition Assessment
Q: Over the past few months, I’ve heard a lot of discussion about reserve studies and condition surveys. Are these the same, and, if not, how do they differ, and why and when should our association obtain one? A: This is a great question because it is not asked often enough. I cannot count the number….
Association Liabilities — Ignorance is not Bliss
So what keeps you up at night? If you are a condo board member or a property manager, it might be that dreaded phone call reporting calamity at the condominium. Whether it is the report of a fire; or a frozen sprinkler leak; or an injury due to a common element failure, the association’s actions in….