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….
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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….
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….
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….