PREPARING FOR SB154

By Rafael Aquino

Published May 24, 2023  

 

Community associations must proactively prepare for the implications of SB 154, focusing on the Structural Integrity Reserve Study and reserve fund management. This article highlights critical steps associations should take within the limited timeframe to ensure compliance and long-term community well-being.

 

1. Understand the Implications:

Familiarize yourself with SB 154's requirements and implementation timeline, recognizing the limited preparation time available. Gain a clear understanding of the changes affecting structural integrity assessments and reserve fund usage. We recommend working with your management company and association attorney to understand the implications for your community.

 

2. Engage Expertise:

Promptly engage licensed engineers, architects, or certified reserve specialists to conduct or verify the visual inspection portion of the Structural Integrity Reserve Study. Their Expertise is essential for accurately evaluating the building's structural components.

 

3. Review Budgeting Practices:

Align existing budgeting practices with SB 154 by allocating sufficient funds for component replacement or deferred maintenance costs identified in the study. Seek guidance from the association's management company, auditing experts, and reserve analysts to develop a compliant budgeting strategy while ensuring long-term financial stability.

 

4. Communicate and Educate:

Facilitate internal communication and education to inform board members, property managers, and staff about the new laws and their implications. Conduct regular meetings and educational sessions to foster a shared understanding of compliance responsibilities.

 

5. Establish a Timeline and Action Plan:

Create a clear timeline and action plan to meet compliance deadlines effectively. Break down tasks, assign responsibilities, and regularly review progress. Adjust the plan as needed to stay on track.

 

By promptly understanding the implications, engaging Expertise, revising budgeting practices, fostering internal communication, establishing a clear action plan, and collaborating with industry associations, community associations can efficiently comply with SB 154. Embracing these changes ensures legal compliance, enhances community safety, and supports long-term sustainability.

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As the Co-Founder and CEO of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to redefine excellence. They serve community   associations   efficiently

and effectively with dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and excitement when providing expert advice to its board members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running a community association.

 

Since 2007, Rafael has developed a work culture that values responsive and high-quality services. He has led his team by following a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each association. Today, Affinity Management Services maintains its success and benefits as a result of the foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by providing educational seminars, continuing education classes for association managers and board members alike.


Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’ associations save money and improve their communities. His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out for the best interests of his clients and communities, and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role requires coordination and communication, as such he takes logical and intelligent steps to approach challenges head-on.


As a graduate of Florida International University’s electrical engineering program and a licensed community association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip him with unique insights to tackle complex problems through critical thinking. He understands how each component within a system works together in order to effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple challenges of running a community association management company, he understands how each property is its own unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure that all their needs are met.

For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity Management Services please visit www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279

Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST

Suite 200

Doral, FL 33166

Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300

Plantation, FL 33324

O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053

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