TAMPA — Monday marks three years since a deadly condo collapse in South Florida.

Families and city leaders remembered the 98 lives lost in the collapse of the Champlain Towers South high-rise in Surfside.

“It’s hard to believe that three years ago was the last opportunity to hug our loved ones and tell them how much we love them,” said Martin Langesfeld, the brother of a Surfside victim. “It was the last time I was able to see my beautiful 26-year-old sister Nicky and her 28-year-old husband Luis.” After the collapse, Florida legislators passed a law requiring inspections on buildings more than 30 years old and three stories high. The City of Tampa is working to ensure condo associations follow regulations. “Now, it is statewide. There are structural requirements that every jurisdiction must receive to review to make sure that these properties stay in compliance and are structurally sound,” said JC Hudgison, the City of Tampa’s chief building official.

Condos that are three stories or taller and 30 years and older qualify for the recertification process.

Hudgison said there are 40 condos that fall under this requirement. The city has sent two notices in the mail hoping the other 23 buildings comply by the Dec. 31 deadline.

“Right now, we have about 17 that I’ve submitted, so we’re about 50%,” said Hudgison. “Mostly what we’ve seen is that they’ve been in compliance. Most of them say Phase 1 is complete. No further inspections are required.”

For those not in compliance, an architect or engineer completing the inspection will flag the building and notify the city about it needing repairs. A more detailed Phase 2 milestone inspection will be required.

“We understand the gravity of the situation our job every day is building and life safety, so this is just another phase of that to make sure these buildings that have been existing for 30+ years are safe and sound,” said Hudgison.

While Langsfeld is thankful for this law to improve safety, he still has questions about how the Surfside tragedy happened and oversight for condo boards that would make sure something like that never happens again.

“Three years have passed without answers as to why a 136-unit building collapsed in 12 seconds, killing 98 beautiful souls,” said Langesfeld. “Who will be held accountable for this negligence?”

If the milestone inspection is not completed by the end of the year, condo associations will face citations.