At exactly 1:22 a.m. five years ago today, the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., partially collapsed taking 98 lives and forever changing countless others. What happened that morning remains one of the most devastating tragedies in the history of community associations.
Today, we pause to remember the individuals who lost their lives, honor their memories, and recognize the families, friends, neighbors, and communities whose lives were forever altered by this unimaginable loss.
For many within CAI and the broader community association industry, this tragedy was deeply personal. We lost friends, colleagues, dedicated volunteers, and respected professionals who cared deeply about their communities. Survivors faced profound grief and uncertainty. Families lost loved ones. Homeowners lost their homes. Board members, community leaders, and professional managers were called upon to navigate extraordinary trauma while supporting others through an unthinkable crisis.
Five years later, we continue to carry the lessons of Surfside with us. As we remember those we lost and stand with those who continue to grieve, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing condominium safety, strengthening building governance, and helping communities protect the people who call them home.
Since the tragedy, CAI continues to be at the forefront of advocating for legislative and regulatory changes to enhance building safety standards and fully fund safety measures. Over the last five years, we’ve worked alongside survivors and family members who continue to fight for stronger laws and better protection in Florida and across the country. Together, our industry continues to make meaningful progress.
CAI continues to emphasize the importance of proactive maintenance measures and financial sustainability in condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations. CAI remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and resilience of community associations through advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.
None of these legislative milestones happened by chance. They were made possible by CAI’s passionate volunteer leaders, legislative action committees, industry experts, lobby teams, and state legislative partners. Their tireless efforts help protect lives and preserve homes in communities across the country.
We commend the hundreds of condominium communities across the country that have had difficult conversations about reserve studies, funding, inspections, special assessments, insurance, and long-term planning. Your willingness to face these complicated issues is a tribute to the lives lost and an example of responsible community association governance.
State-by-State Legislative Progress Since the Collapse
Since the tragedy in 2021, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and Tennessee have passed laws mandating reserves. Approximately 12.84 million residents live in more than 70,600 community associations in these four states. Two states, Florida and New Jersey, passed laws regulating structural integrity inspections. Here’s a closer look at the progress:
Florida
Passed legislation in 2022 requiring:
- Building inspections start at 30 years, and every 10 years thereafter.
- Mandatory reserve study and funding for structural components (building, plumbing, electrical, etc.).
- Removal of opt–out for structural reserves.
- Mandatory transparency for all building safety information.
- Developer obligations pretransition.
In 2024–25, the program was updated and expanded to the My Safe Florida Home Program that offers grants for inspections and certain improvements.
Maryland
In 2022, a statute was enacted mandating reserve studies (or updates) for associations that haven’t had one since Oct. 1, 2016, and full funding within three years.
In 2024, a state program was created for authorized counties to create funding for critical infrastructure repairs in associations and condominiums.
In 2025, the reserve statute was updated to extend the funding timeline to five years, allowing short-term financial hardship deferrals, and requiring reserve studies follow recognized standards and be conducted by qualified professionals.
New Jersey
Enacted sweeping structural integrity and reserve study legislation in 2024 requiring:
- Periodic inspections and capital reserve studies.
- Reporting and transparency to unit owners, officials, and buyers.
Tennessee
A statute was enacted requiring condominiums to conduct reserve studies starting in 2023 with updates every five years.
New Castle County, Del.
In 2023, legislation passed for routine inspections in common interest community buildings. A state-level update to the Delaware Common Interest Ownership Act is expected in 2027.
Virginia
In 2022, the state legislature formed a state work group to review building safety laws. Legislative updates are anticipated in 2027.
Other States with Introduced Legislation
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington have introduced legislation on reserves and building safety since 2021. Some bills are pending while others will be reintroduced in future sessions. It is critical that state legislatures and CAI legislative action committees continue to build consensus, educate stakeholders, and advocate for change.
To support boards, managers, professionals, and policymakers, CAI committed extensive resources to condominium safety. At www.condosafety.com, you will find:
- CAI’s award-winning Condominium Safety Public Policy Report.
- A model statute on structural integrity, reserve studies, and funding.
- State-by-state summaries of laws and pending legislation.
- Communication templates, sample inspection schedules, and reserve planning tools.
- Best practices developed by engineers, reserve specialists, attorneys, board members, and policy experts.
These tools were built by hundreds of volunteers donating thousands of hours to ensure all communities have a roadmap to resilience and safety.
Today and every day, we renew our promise to never be complacent, never forget, and never stop fighting for the safety of the communities we serve.
CAI remains dedicated to its mission of providing education, resources, and support to improve condominium safety. For additional information, please visit www.condosafety.com.
