In this article: we examine Florida’s new law that mandates a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) at developer turnover, explaining how this change prevents new condo boards from inheriting buildings with unknown structural defects and underfunded reserves. We detail the benefits for both condo associations, who gain immediate transparency and financial foresight, and for developers, who ensure a smoother, more professional handoff while reducing future liability, ultimately fostering long-term stability and safety for the community.
When Florida passed Senate Bill 154 (2023), it set a new standard for how condominium associations assume control of their buildings.
For the first time, developers are required to include a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) in the Developer Turnover (DT) package.
This change was made not just for compliance but to bring transparency and accountability to the moment when control passes from developer to owners.
New legislation (HB 913) is in effect for SIRS. Read about current SIRS law changes in Building Mavens' latest article covering what’s new and what you need to know.
Why Florida Added the Structural Integrity Reserve Study to the Developer Turnover
Before this rule, many new condo boards inherited multi-million-dollar buildings without a clear understanding of their structural health or long-term financial needs.
Developers would hand over budgets, engineering reports, and warranties, but those did not show the complete picture. Boards were often left guessing about:
- The true condition of major structural components
- Whether reserves were sufficient to maintain them over time
That lack of transparency left associations discovering costly issues after turnover, when the developer was long gone and owners were left footing the bill.
The Champlain Towers South tragedy in Surfside in 2021 was a painful reminder of what can happen when critical maintenance is delayed or underfunded. Lawmakers responded by enacting new inspection and reserve requirements through Senate Bill 4-D (2022) and later refining them with SB 154 (2023), which made the SIRS part of the mandatory turnover package.
What Florida Law Now Requires
Under Section 718.301(4), Florida Statutes, the developer’s turnover inspection report must include a Structural Integrity Reserve Study.
The SIRS provides an in-depth look at the building’s key structural and safety elements, including:
- Roof
- Load-bearing and structural systems
- Fire protection systems
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Waterproofing, exterior painting, doors, and windows
The SIRS gives the incoming board:
- A professional snapshot of the property’s current condition
- Insights into which systems will need repair or replacement, and when
- A reserve funding plan that ensures money will be available when those repairs are due
This information must be delivered before turnover, allowing new condo boards to make informed decisions from day one.
Benefits of a SIRS at Developer Turnover for Condo Boards
✓ Transparency from Day One
Boards now receive a clear, professional understanding of their building’s condition. That knowledge builds confidence and trust among residents and helps new leadership start on solid ground.
✓ Proactive Financial Planning
With insight into future maintenance timelines, boards can plan reserves and budgets proactively, avoiding emergency assessments and last-minute financial strain.
✓ Accountability and Protection
Requiring developers to provide a SIRS ensures that owners are not left guessing. It establishes a documented baseline of the building’s condition, which protects both the association and its members.
✓ Long-Term Stability
By aligning structural assessments with reserve studies, the law helps associations maintain financial stability, predictable costs, and safer buildings over time.
At a glance: Florida’s new SIRS-at-turnover requirement ensures condo boards begin with a full understanding of their building’s condition and reserves. By combining structural evaluation with financial planning, the law creates a transparent, well-documented handoff that protects both developers and owners while setting every association up for long-term success.
What the SIRS Requirement Means for Developers
The addition of the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) to the Developer Turnover package also reshapes the developer’s role, not by adding unnecessary red tape but by ensuring a clean, professional, and transparent handoff.
✓ Setting the Stage for Trust and Professionalism
Delivering a SIRS at turnover demonstrates that the developer is leaving the building in responsible hands, with clear documentation of its condition and financial roadmap.
It shows buyers, boards, and future residents that the developer takes long-term quality and safety seriously.
That transparency strengthens reputations, builds goodwill, and reduces post-turnover disputes about maintenance or reserve shortfalls.
✓ Reducing Future Liability
A properly prepared SIRS helps protect developers by documenting the building’s structural condition and maintenance expectations at the time of turnover.
When questions arise later about reserves or repair costs, this report serves as an objective record of what was known and recommended. It gives developers peace of mind that their obligations were met.
✓ Smoother, More Efficient Turnovers
Integrating the SIRS early in the turnover planning process streamlines the entire handover.
When the developer’s documentation package is complete and compliant, it prevents delays, avoids costly rework, and ensures the new board can take control smoothly and confidently.
Why This Law Change Matters
The Developer Turnover process marks a pivotal moment when responsibility for a building officially passes to those who live in and care for it.
By integrating the SIRS into this stage, Florida lawmakers ensured that associations no longer begin their work in the dark.
They begin with facts, foresight, and financial clarity. This is the foundation every board needs to protect both people and property.
This article was originally published on October 15, 2025, by the engineering firm Building Mavens.