Roundup of 2025 Approved, Failed Real Estate Bills in FL

In broad changes, the Florida Legislature passed bills related to condo safety laws enacted after the deadly Surfside condo collapse, and the state’s workforce housing law, known as the Live Local Act. 

The bills, both approved just before the legislative session closed late last week, now head to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for final approval. 

Bills aimed at curbing mismanagement and fraud at homeowners associations fizzled early in the session. Roughly half of Florida’s residents live in communities governed by associations led by volunteer board members. For decades, residents at some associations have accused board members and managers of mismanagement. 

Other bills tied to the industry failed to move forward. House Bill 1461, which called for the elimination of the Florida Real Estate Commission, the board that oversees agents, brokers and brokerages, was withdrawn. 

Overall, Florida lawmakers filed nearly 2,000 proposed bills for the session, but just a fraction will end up becoming law. 

Here are the real estate related bills that passed:

SB 1742/HB 913: Condo safety law updates

Laws passed after the collapse of Champlain Towers South in 2021, which killed 98 people, require condo buildings of at least 30 years old and at least three stories to have completed structural integrity reserve studies (SIRS) by the end of last year. Current law also requires associations to fund their reserves in their budgets starting this year, based on these studies. And it mandates milestone inspections for condo buildings that are at least three stories tall once they are 30 years old, and then every 10 years afterward. 

The latest bills extend the deadline for SIRS to the end of this year. They also address inspections, reserve studies, funding, community association managers and more, including: 

• If condo associations completed their milestone inspections within the previous two years, their boards will be able to pause or reduce reserve fund contributions if the association approves it. This will apply to associations with budgets adopted by the end of 2028, and does not apply to developer controlled associations. 
• Associations will be able to use lines of credit or loans to fund specific reserves. 
• Licensed architects or engineers who bid on milestone inspection work will be required to disclose in writing their intent to bid on future work, which may be recommended by the milestone inspection. Contractors or design professionals who bid to complete work tied to the milestone inspection can’t have an interest in the company providing the milestone inspection or be related by blood or marriage to the person or entity completing the inspection. 
• Community association managers will be required to create and maintain online licensure accounts and disclose the company they work for. Such managers who had their licenses revoked can’t have an interest in or be employed by a property management firm anytime during the 10-year period…