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lorida's condo owners are facing a perfect storm of financial burdens, with soaring fees and assessments threatening to upend the lives of retirees and low-income families. The crisis was sparked by Senate Bill 4D, passed in 2022 in response to the devastating Surfside collapse that claimed 98 lives.
Critics argue that the law's strict safety measures have created a ticking time bomb for homeowners, who are being forced to shell out exorbitant fees to fund repairs and renovations. Rep. Mike Caruso, a DeSantis ally, warns that if left unamended, the law could trigger a "next wave of homeless people" as retirees struggle to make ends meet.
The issue has become a hot-button topic in Tallahassee, with lawmakers struggling to find a middle ground between ensuring condo safety and protecting homeowners from financial ruin. Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for reform, acknowledging that the law's unintended consequences are causing problems for condo owners.
For seniors like George Prybys, who saw his HOA fees jump from $400 to $900 and was hit with a $12,000 assessment, the situation is dire. "I told them I retired on the SKI plan – Spend the Kid's Inheritance," he joked wryly.
The law requires condo associations to conduct milestone inspections, maintain sufficient reserves, and conduct surveys every 10 years. About 90% of Florida's 1.6 million condominiums are over 30 years old, making this a pressing concern for many homeowners.
As the financial burden mounts, condo owners are facing foreclosure, selling their properties at a loss, or being unable to find buyers willing to take on the high HOA fees. GOP lawmakers are divided on the issue, with some sharing homeowners' concerns and others defending the law's safety measures.
In a surprise move, supporters of the law refused to include it in a special legislative session, despite DeSantis's call for reform. House Speaker Daniel Perez cited the complexity of the issue as a reason for not taking it up during the special session.
The Surfside disaster has left a lasting impact on Florida's condo community, and lawmakers are racing against time to find a solution that balances safety with affordability. As one homeowner quipped, "It's like they're trying to fix the roof while we're still living in the house."
