13 Dorset A

Since the Surfside collapse, Florida requires condo and co-op buildings three stories or taller to complete a Structural Integrity Reserve Study: an inspection-based plan that forces the association to fund structural repairs (roof, load-bearing walls, plumbing, electrical) instead of deferring them. It matters because underfunded buildings are the ones that surprise owners with large special assessments.

We didn't find a filing record for this building in the DBPR's public database. Absence of a record does not mean the building is out of compliance — it may be exempt (under three stories), the filing may be recent or on paper, or the recorded name/address may differ. It IS the right question to ask before offering.

A one-off charge the association levies on every owner when reserves don't cover a needed repair — in older coastal buildings they have ranged from a few thousand to over $100,000 per unit. The SIRS exists precisely to make these predictable and funded in advance. Always review the building's budget, reserves and meeting minutes before buying.

Florida law gives buyers the right to review the association's SIRS, milestone inspection reports, budget and reserves — the full study is available from the association by written request. Nilyan requests and walks through these documents with her buyers as part of the offer process.