Challenge 1: Big Financial Gaps

Many SIRS reports reveal underfunded reserves. Boards must decide whether to raise assessments, take loans, or levy special assessments. Communicate early with owners and provide multiple funding scenarios.

Challenge 2: Coordinating with Milestone Inspections

If your building also requires a milestone inspection, combine efforts to reduce cost and overlap. Engineers can often perform both studies in one visit, streamlining compliance.

Step 1: Determine Applicability and Deadlines

Confirm if your building has three habitable stories or more. If yes, it’s covered. Existing associations must complete the first SIRS by December 31, 2025. Buildings constructed after that date will need a SIRS within 10 years of their certificate of occupancy.

Step 2: Hire a Qualified Professional

The visual inspection portion must be completed by a Florida-licensed engineer or architect, or a certified reserve specialist. Hire someone with relevant experience, good references, and no conflicts of interest.

If you serve on a condo board (or own a unit) in Florida, you’ve probably heard the term “Structural Integrity Reserve Study” or “SIRS” floating around lately. It may sound technical — but at its heart, it’s about one thing: making sure our building remains safe and financially prepared for big-ticket repairs and replacements. Here’s what every condo association and board member should know.