Florida Condo Documents Buyers Should Review

Use this Florida condo buyer checklist to request governing documents, financials, inspection summaries, reserve studies, and approval information.

Buying a Florida condominium means reviewing both the unit and the association. Ask for the documents early, keep a record of when each one was received, and bring financial, insurance, structural, or legal questions to the appropriate professional before your rights expire.

For a nondeveloper resale, request the current declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules, most recent annual financial statement and budget, and frequently asked questions and answers document. Review restrictions on pets, leasing, parking, renovations, and use. Ask for the application, fees, interview process, and approval requirements.

Where applicable, request the inspector-prepared milestone inspection summary, turnover inspection report, and most recent structural integrity reserve study (SIRS). Also ask about current or proposed special assessments, insurance coverage, litigation, board minutes, and year-end financials. Some of these are helpful due-diligence requests beyond the statutory delivery list; availability varies by association.

Florida law gives specified cancellation rights in a nondeveloper resale tied to contract execution and receipt of required documents. The statutory language generally measures a seven-day period excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, and includes separate provisions for applicable milestone, turnover, and reserve-study materials. A developer sale follows different rules, including a 15-day framework. Your agent or attorney should determine the actual deadline from the contract, delivery record, and statute. Do not assume that receiving one packet starts every applicable period or that closing can occur without addressing outstanding requirements.

At Christine Matus PA, I track what has been requested, delivered, and acknowledged, along with association approval and closing requirements. Contact Christine for Florida condo transaction coordination.

Source: Florida Statutes § 718.503.