New Jersey HOA and condominium associations are governed by the New Jersey Condominium Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-1 et seq.) and the Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA, N.J.S.A. 45:22A-21 et seq.), which governs HOAs and planned communities. New Jersey enacted its most consequential community-association law in decades during this period, directly in response to a tragedy in another state.
---
2024: Structural Inspection and Reserve Study Mandate (S2760/A4384)
Signed in Response to the Surfside, Florida Collapse
Governor Murphy signed S2760/A4384 into law, effective January 8, 2024. The law was enacted in direct response to the June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida, and it does two things.
**Mandatory structural inspections.** The law requires periodic structural inspections of "covered buildings" — condominium and cooperative buildings with concrete, masonry, steel, or hybrid load-bearing systems, including buildings with podium decks. Buildings older than 15 years at the law's effective date must complete their first inspection within two years — by January 8, 2026. Buildings not yet 15 years old must complete their first inspection within one year of reaching their 15th anniversary.
**Mandatory reserve studies.** The law also requires community associations to conduct and fund capital reserve studies — a physical condition assessment paired with cost projections and a 30-year funding plan for major common-element components. The first reserve study is due within two years of the law's effective date.
---
What New Jersey HOA and Condo Boards Should Do Now
1. Determine whether your building qualifies as a "covered building" under the concrete/masonry/steel/hybrid load-bearing or podium-deck criteria.
2. If your building is over 15 years old, calendar the January 8, 2026 deadline for the first structural inspection.
3. Engage a licensed engineer to perform the structural inspection and begin budgeting now for any findings.
4. Commission your first capital reserve study — a physical condition assessment with a 30-year funding plan — well ahead of the two-year deadline.
5. Review your reserve fund contribution levels against the new study's funding plan once complete, and adjust budgets accordingly.
---
How APM Provides Remote HOA Management in New Jersey
APM's remote HOA management service monitors New Jersey HOA and condominium law updates and provides client boards with compliance guidance and updated policy templates as the law changes. Contact us at billing@apmhoa.com or call 810-777-7060, or visit apmhoa.com/remote-hoa-management/new-jersey for a free remote management proposal.
*This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For questions specific to your association, consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.*
Ready to work with Association Property Managers?
Get a free, itemized proposal for your community — delivered within 3 business days.
Request a Free Proposal
