The Next Step in Pool Safety – AI Powered Drowning Detection Systems? Conventional safety measures – pool covers, perimeter fences, and subsurface alarms – are essential for preventing unauthorized access when a pool is closed. But when a pool is open and in use, those measures cannot protect against drowning. For decades, supervision by lifeguards,….
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Condominium and HOA Meeting Minutes – Best Practices and Legal Considerations
Condominium and HOA Meeting Minutes – Best Practices and Legal Considerations Homeowner associations (HOAs) and condominium boards vary widely in size and structure, but one thing is consistent across every community: meeting minutes. Accurate minutes are a legal requirement, a historical record, and an essential management tool for every association. What Are Meeting Minutes? Meeting….
The Hidden Components That Can Sink Your Condo’s Reserve Budget
The Hidden Components That Can Sink Your Condo’s Reserve Budget in Miami-Dade and Broward If you are searching for a reserve study in Miami-Dade or Broward, the projects you can see from the street are only part of the story. Roof replacements, exterior painting, and paving are important. The real budget busters are often smaller….
Straight-Line vs. Pooled Reserve Funding: What Florida Condo Boards Need to Know for 2025
Straight-Line vs. Pooled Reserve Funding: What Florida Condo Boards Need to Know for 2025 New reserve funding requirements in Florida – especially those tied to Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS) – are prompting many condo associations to ask: “Should we be using straight-line or pooled funding for our reserves?” This article breaks down the two….
SIRS vs Traditional Reserve Study: What’s the Difference Under Florida Law?
Florida now requires many condominiums to complete a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) – but that doesn’t replace a full reserve study. They serve different purposes. Here’s how they compare, what’s required, and what your building likely needs. What Is a SIRS? A SIRS is a legally mandated evaluation of critical structural and safety components…..
What Needs to Be Included in a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) in Florida?
Starting in 2025, many Florida condo associations must complete a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) to stay compliant with state law. These studies are required for most buildings three stories or higher and are not simply expanded reserve studies – they follow specific rules and must focus on structural and life-safety components. Here’s what you….
Top 10 Condo Do Overs to Avoid
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….
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….