Condo maintenance fees are the price you pay for a hassle-free, amenity-filled lifestyle. So what exactly do they cover and how much do they cost?
Condo Maintenance Fees in Toronto
First-time condo buyers often question why, in addition to their monthly mortgage, they have to pay condo maintenance fees. There are a lot of great perks that come with living in a Toronto condo or condo townhouse and maintenance fees are part of the price you pay for this convenience. Let’s clear the air and get down to the what, why, and how much of condo maintenance fees.
Don’t be misled to think that homeowners are off the hook with respect to maintenance fees. Homeowners, while not a mandatory payment, should always be setting a monthly sum aside into what we call an Oh Sh*t Fund. Every house, condo, or townhome costs money to maintain and repair. So what exactly do your condo maintenance fees cover?
What Do Condo Maintenance Fees Cover?
When you live in a Toronto condo or condo townhouse you own a unit within a larger residential property. While you are responsible for the maintenance within your particular suite, all of the shared amenities, common spaces, and general upkeep of the property are handled for you.
One of the benefits of condo living is that you don’t have the added hassle of lawn care, snow removal, and ensuring your roof is still in good standing. All you need to worry about is the few hundred square feet you call your own.
Your monthly maintenance fees will generally cover the maintenance of both indoor and outdoor common areas, amenities, property management and staff, and some of your utilities.
A portion of your maintenance fees will go into the condo’s reserve fund. All Toronto condos are required to have a reserve fund, as per the Condominium Act, which acts as an emergency savings account for unexpected repairs and maintenance.
One thing to be cognizant of is what utilities your maintenance fees cover. More and more condos hitting the market are excluding hydro and even water in their maintenance fees. This will vary from property to property. If water is covered, for example, that could mean that a running tap or a long shower would all be “free” each month. Although you won’t be seeing a fluctuating water bill every month that is dependent on your usage, your condo building will. If the entire building’s usage gets higher than expected, you may see a rise in your condos fees that will help compensate.
Every building will be different, so when you’re in the process of buying a Toronto condo or townhouse make sure that you have your lawyer establish what is and isn’t covered under these fees for your particular property.
How Much Do Maintenance Fees Cost
Maintenance fees will vary from property to property. According to condos.ca, the average cost of maintenance fees in the Greater Toronto Area last year was 64¢ per square foot. So if you purchase a 650 square foot condo, that’s $416 per month in your Toronto condo maintenance fees. This is why it’s really important to carefully consider the floor plan when you are buying a condo unit in Toronto. You want to purchase a floor plan that doesn’t have a lot of wasted space (ex. a long narrow hallway is unnecessary), as it will just be square footage that you will be paying an extra fee for.
The average condo maintenance fee in Toronto is approximately 64¢ per square foot.
If you purchase a parking spot or a locker there will be an additional flat fee added to your maintenance fees. Parking will cost you anywhere from $50 to as high as $100 more and a locker can cost an additional $15 to $25 per month.
Based on six of the recent pre-construction projects we’ve sold over the past year, the average condo maintenance fees in Toronto was 64¢ per square foot, so a bit below last year’s general average of 65¢.
Keep in mind, older buildings will usually have higher maintenance fees as the age and wear and tear of older buildings will begin to add up. Similarly, boutique condos may also have slightly higher than average maintenance fees as the overall cost of maintenance is divvied up amongst fewer condo owners.
Why Toronto Condo Maintenance Fees Will Vary
As mentioned, older buildings and smaller boutique condo buildings will typically have slightly higher maintenance fees. For instance, the Cube Lofts in Little Italy is a seven-year-old boutique property with only 21 units in total. Even with minimal amenities, residents here are paying 77¢ per square foot in maintenance fees.
It’s important to note that your maintenance fees can increase anytime, so it’s never a bad idea to budget for a potential increase. When buying a resale condo or condo townhouse be sure to check the condo status certificate.
The status certificate will provide an in-depth overview of a condo building’s management policies, financial statements, the general health of the building among other things. If there are major upcoming repairs needed or if the reserve fund is low, this could mean an increase in maintenance fees is in the near future. These are things your real estate lawyer will help to identify.
Read more on Status Certificates here
When buying a pre-construction condo, you’ll begin paying maintenance fees when your condo is ready for occupancy. It’s not uncommon for maintenance fees to increase slightly within the first year or two.
Once the condo is registered with the city and a Board of Directors is hired, the board will begin to assess the finances and general operational costs that were established by the developer and this can result in an adjustment to your fees.
While it may seem like a bummer to have to dish out more cash per month to own a Toronto condo or condo townhouse, it’s a small price to pay for the hassle-free lifestyle that condo owners have. As an investor, remember that your tenant more than covers your maintenance fees with Toronto’s high rental rates.
Don't Be Afraid of Your Condo Maintenance Fees
While condo maintenance fees can sometimes be off putting, there are still so many reasons to buy a condo in Toronto.
Condos can be a great real estate investment for those looking for a new income stream. Condo prices are currently at an all-time high, and climbing! Our clients recently earned an extra 37% on a Toronto condo investment in just three years! Check out our client returns here.
Downtown Toronto condos are also the most affordable market in the city. For first-time homebuyers, a condo downtown is the perfect beginner investment.
It’s also important to mention that Toronto housing prices are showing no signs of slowing down! With these prices, the resale condo market will continue to stay hot. If your condo building allows it, you can also rent out your condo to contribute to the rental inventory market.
Read More about the truth about rent control and increasing Toronto prices
If you’ve been thinking about buying or investing in the condo market, book a call with us and we can help you find a property that suits your budget. We know Toronto condos, reputable builders, buildings, and where your money is well spent. Give us a call today!
