What Are Strata Fees?
Strata fees (also called maintenance fees) are monthly payments that condo and townhouse owners contribute to the strata corporation. These funds cover shared building expenses like insurance, maintenance, landscaping, and amenities.
What's Typically Included
- Building insurance — Covers the structure and common areas (not your contents)
- Common area maintenance — Hallways, lobbies, elevators, parking garages
- Landscaping and grounds
- Reserve fund contributions — Savings for major repairs (roof, plumbing, etc.)
- Amenities — Gym, pool, concierge if applicable
- Sometimes: heat, hot water, gas
What's a Reasonable Strata Fee?
As a general rule, expect $0.40–$0.70 per square foot per month. A 1,000 sqft condo might pay $400–$700/month. Newer buildings with modern systems and fewer amenities tend to be lower. Older buildings or those with pools/concierge tend to be higher.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unusually low fees — may indicate underfunded reserve fund
- Recent or upcoming special levies — check strata minutes
- Deferred maintenance — review the depreciation report
- Frequent fee increases — more than 5% annually
Research Before You Buy
Browse our building directory to see details on specific buildings, including year built, unit counts, and active listings. Each building page provides the context you need to evaluate strata living.
For professional guidance on strata purchases, connect with Vantage Real Estate. Exploring properties across Surrey? Visit Real Estate Surrey.