Reflecting on Surfside’s Legacy: Maintenance, Inspections, Accountability

Mitchell Frumkin, RS, a longtime CAI leader and past president, chaired CAI’s Condominium Safety Public Policy Task Force, which came together in 2021 following the tragic partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla. The task force formed a comprehensive plan to provide best practices and the tools to ensure building and homeowner safety, protect investments, and prevent another tragedy.

The fifth anniversary of Surfside represents an opportunity to remember those lost and their families and recognize the meaningful progress made to improve maintenance, inspections, and financial accountability. Frumkin reflects on his personal feelings and industry efforts following the disaster. 

What went through your mind when you heard about the collapse?

My initial reaction was disbelief and sadness. I understood immediately this was a human tragedy. My thoughts were with the residents, families, and first responders. I knew the community association industry had reached a defining moment. We needed to take a hard look at changes to help prevent something similar from happening again.

What impact has the tragedy and your efforts had on condo safety and community associations?

The tragedy fundamentally changed the conversation around building safety. Prior to Surfside, reserve studies, preventive maintenance, and capital planning were often viewed primarily as financial management tools without proactively looking at risk management synergies. Today, they are recognized as essential components of life-safety planning.

CAI’s task force, composed of engineers, reserve specialists, attorneys, community managers, insurance professionals, and volunteer leaders, developed practical recommendations focused on structural integrity inspections, façade assessment, reserve funding, preventive maintenance, and building safety. The recommendations inform legislative and regulatory discussions and contribute to greater awareness regarding the importance of proactive building monitoring.

The lending and insurance industries have become powerful catalysts for change. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac significantly revised their lending requirements following Surfside to require greater scrutiny of deferred maintenance, structural deficiencies, and special assessments. Lenders, insurers, and secondary mortgage market participants now place increased emphasis on building conditions, reserve adequacy, and ongoing maintenance practices. Boards now recognize that inadequate reserves and deferred maintenance also affect financing availability, marketability, insurance costs, and property values. This shift has reinforced the connection between responsible oversight and the long-term financial health of community associations.

What are you most proud of regarding the task force’s efforts?

I am most proud of the collaborative effort that emerged following the tragedy. I am in awe of how CAI stepped up to change the industry. Rather than focusing on blame, the industry focused on solutions. The task force’s work shifted the conversation to proactively identify risks and serve as a valuable resource for communities throughout the country.

I am particularly proud of helping elevate the importance of reserve funding, preventive maintenance, and structural integrity inspections from operational considerations to essential responsibilities of community leadership and governance.

What still needs to be done? Why is it important to continue to focus on maintenance and safety?

While significant progress has been made, much work remains. Communities must continue to embrace long-term planning, regular inspections, preventive maintenance programs, and responsible reserve funding. These practices protect residents, minimize life-cycle costs, and ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of communities. CAI must continue to lead this effort. 

My hope is that the legacy of Surfside will ultimately be safer buildings, better-informed boards, more responsible long-term planning, and a renewed understanding that protecting residents and preserving communities must always remain our highest concern.

The most meaningful tribute to those lost at Surfside is a continued commitment to ensuring that building safety remains a priority. Surfside reminded us that stewardship matters. The decisions boards make today regarding inspections, maintenance, and reserve funding can have consequences that extend far into the future.

>>Review and share CAI’s condominium safety resources at www.condosafety.com.