Condominium Inspections FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Condominium Association or the Cooperative Association overseeing the building is required to comply with the inspection requirement. The condominium or cooperative association may delegate the responsibility for the completion of the inspections to their association manager or management company(ies) contractually. Still, ultimately it is the responsibility of the association to meet the inspection requirements.
All condominium or cooperative buildings in the State of Florida that are three stories (floors) or greater.
The initial required inspection is a Milestone Structural Inspection Phase 1 Inspection. This inspection is a visual inspection of habitable and non-habitable areas of the building. If the Phase 1 inspection has no findings of structural deterioration, then the Phase 2 inspection is not required.
A finding of structural deterioration necessitates the need for a Phase 2 inspection. The Phase 2 inspection involves destructive or non-destructive structural testing at the discretion of the inspector.
A finding of structural deterioration necessitates the need for a Phase 2 inspection. The Phase 2 inspection involves destructive or non-destructive structural testing at the discretion of the inspector.
The inspection(s) must determine the general structural condition of the building as it affects the safety of the building, such as necessary maintenance, repairs, and replacements of structural components.
The inspection(s) must also assess for substantial structural deterioration. “Substantial structural deterioration” is described as substantial structural distress that negatively affects the building’s general structural condition and integrity.
The inspection(s) must also assess for substantial structural deterioration. “Substantial structural deterioration” is described as substantial structural distress that negatively affects the building’s general structural condition and integrity.
Milestone inspections must be performed by December 31 of the year the building reaches 30 years in age, based on the issue date of the building’s certificate of occupancy, and every 10 years thereafter.
Buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before July 1, 1992, must have the initial milestone inspection performed before December 31, 2024.
Buildings within three miles of the coastline must perform a milestone inspection by December 31 of the year they reach 25 years in age and every ten years after that. All buildings within the City of Cape Coral are not located within three miles of the coastline and thus only have to comply with the 30-year requirement.
Milestone inspection(s) must also be performed every ten years following the initial inspection.
Buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before July 1, 1992, must have the initial milestone inspection performed before December 31, 2024.
Buildings within three miles of the coastline must perform a milestone inspection by December 31 of the year they reach 25 years in age and every ten years after that. All buildings within the City of Cape Coral are not located within three miles of the coastline and thus only have to comply with the 30-year requirement.
Milestone inspection(s) must also be performed every ten years following the initial inspection.
Milestone inspections must be performed by a Florida licensed engineer or architect who is qualified to determine the life safety attributes and adequacy of structural components of the building.
Condominium and cooperative associations are responsible for the scheduling and costs associated with the milestone inspection.
The statute requires that the local building official provide notice by certified mail to all associations whose buildings are required to comply with this law. You will receive this official notice approximately 180 days prior to your milestone inspection due date if you have not already submitted the inspection results to the local building official.
Upon receiving official notice (by certified mail), condominium/cooperative associations will have 180 days to complete phase one of the inspection.
The architect or engineer who performed inspections must submit a sealed copy of the inspection report and findings to the association and appropriate local building official.
Once the association receives the report, it is required to distribute the inspector-prepared report summary to each unit owner, post a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, and publish the summary and full report on the association’s website.
The association must commence repairs for substantial structural deterioration within 365 days of receipt of the Phase 2 inspection report.
Once the association receives the report, it is required to distribute the inspector-prepared report summary to each unit owner, post a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, and publish the summary and full report on the association’s website.
The association must commence repairs for substantial structural deterioration within 365 days of receipt of the Phase 2 inspection report.
Associations that fail to complete the mandatory Milestone Inspection will breach the officers’ and/or directors’ fiduciary relationship to the unit owners.
Failure to complete the inspections or repairs within the specified timeframe will result in penalties to the association up to and including potential liens on the building.
Additionally, failure to commence substantial structural deterioration repairs within the specified timeframes will result in the Building Official reviewing and determining whether the building is unsafe for human occupancy.
Failure to complete the inspections or repairs within the specified timeframe will result in penalties to the association up to and including potential liens on the building.
Additionally, failure to commence substantial structural deterioration repairs within the specified timeframes will result in the Building Official reviewing and determining whether the building is unsafe for human occupancy.