If you own a condominium in Ontario, you are probably familiar with monthly maintenance fees. These payments are often misunderstood, and many owners question why they are so high or why they seem to increase each year. Despite that frustration, maintenance fees play a vital role in keeping your building safe, well maintained, and financially stable.
Condo maintenance fees fund the daily operations that keep your community running. They also support long-term capital repairs that protect property value and prevent unexpected costs. Understanding what these fees include helps owners make informed decisions and evaluate whether their condominium is being managed responsibly.
What Are Condo Maintenance Fees?
Condo maintenance fees, also known as common element fees, are shared payments collected from every owner to cover the expenses of operating and maintaining the condominium corporation. According to the Condominium Authority of Ontario, each owner contribution is set in the condominium’s Declaration and is based on the proportion of common expenses that correspond with their unit.
Unlike renting, where a landlord handles maintenance, condominium ownership means sharing the cost of maintaining common spaces, building systems, and shared services. These fees are usually paid monthly, although smaller townhouse corporations in Ontario may collect them quarterly or annually.
Maintenance fees are essential because they ensure that services such as cleaning, snow removal, waste collection, and administration continue without interruption.
What Do Condo Maintenance Fees Actually Cover?
Condo maintenance fees are used to support both the daily operations of the community and its long-term financial health. They are designed to maintain comfort, safety, and property value for every resident.
Utilities and Essential Services
In many Ontario condominiums, water, heating, and electricity for common areas are included in monthly fees. These shared services ensure consistent delivery of heat, lighting, and air circulation throughout the building. Depending on the setup, individual units may have their own hydro or gas meters, which means those owners pay their utilities directly.
Reliable access to utilities is one of the most fundamental benefits of condominium living, as the corporation manages bulk service agreements and ensures uninterrupted operation.
Building Maintenance and Repairs
Ongoing maintenance preserves the appearance, safety, and functionality of the building. Fees fund janitorial services, window and exterior repairs, elevator servicing, pest control, and plumbing or electrical work in shared spaces. Routine maintenance helps identify issues early and avoid major disruptions.
Owners are responsible for maintenance within their own units, including appliance repairs or upgrades. The corporation focuses on maintaining common areas and building systems that serve all residents.
Reserve Fund Contributions
Every condominium corporation in Ontario must maintain a reserve fund. This is a savings account used for major repairs and replacements that occur over time, such as roof replacement, parking garage resurfacing, or elevator modernization.
Reserve fund contributions are a critical part of your maintenance fees. The amount allocated to this fund is determined through a professional reserve fund study, which must be updated every three years under the Condominium Act, 1998. A healthy reserve fund reduces the likelihood of special assessments, which are one-time payments charged to owners when major repairs arise and funds are insufficient.
To learn more about special assessments, read our article: What is a Condo Special Assessment?
Security and Safety
Many condominiums in Ontario include security costs within their maintenance fees. These may cover front desk concierge staff, key-fob access systems, surveillance cameras, and annual inspections of fire and life-safety equipment. Reliable security services help protect both residents and property, particularly in high-rise communities.
Owners who choose to install personal alarm systems or smart locks for their units cover those costs individually.
Landscaping and Snow Removal
Ontario’s climate makes exterior maintenance an important part of any condominium budget. Maintenance fees cover seasonal landscaping, lawn care, pruning, and winter services such as snow clearing and salting.
In townhouse communities, the corporation may maintain shared driveways and walkways, while individual owners are responsible for their private yards. Well-maintained grounds enhance curb appeal and create a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
Amenities and Shared Spaces
Condominiums often feature shared amenities such as fitness centres, pools, guest suites, and community rooms. These spaces enhance resident experience but require ongoing cleaning, insurance, and equipment servicing. The more amenities a building offers, the higher the maintenance costs are likely to be.
Although these amenities contribute to higher fees, they also increase resale value and attract potential buyers seeking a lifestyle that includes convenience and comfort.
Insurance and Administrative Costs
Condo corporations in Ontario are required to carry insurance that protects the structure, common elements, and shared facilities against damage. Maintenance fees also cover property management services, accounting and auditing costs, and administrative functions such as printing, communication, and annual meeting expenses.
Individual owners still need personal condominium insurance to protect their belongings and any improvements made to their units.
To learn how professional condo management services supports these responsibilities, see our blog: How to Choose a Condo Property Management Company For Your Condo.
What Condo Fees Do Not Cover
It is equally important to understand what maintenance fees exclude. Owners remain responsible for property taxes, in-unit repairs, and optional services such as internet, cable, or telephone unless you have a bulk service agreement in place. If utilities are individually metered, those costs are billed directly to the owner.
Knowing what is not included helps residents budget effectively and prevents misunderstandings about their financial obligations. You can learn more about financial planning and risk reduction in our blog: The Hidden Cost of Bad Condo Management and How to Avoid Them.
Average Condo Maintenance Fees in Ontario
Condominium maintenance fees in Ontario can vary widely between communities. The amount each owner contributes depends on several factors, including the size, age, and location of the building, as well as the number of shared amenities. These fees are based on the corporation’s annual operating budget. Each owner’s contribution is determined by their percentage of ownership as outlined in the condominium’s Declaration.
A province-wide survey published by CondoAdviser.ca found that the average condominium maintenance fee in Ontario was approximately $0.58 per square foot per month. For a typical 700 square foot unit, this would work out to be around $400 per month. Buildings with larger amenity packages or older infrastructure generally have higher fees, while newer developments with modern systems and fewer shared services may fall below the provincial average.
The Office of the Attorney General of Ontario has reported condominium fees have continued to increase over time. About three-quarters of surveyed owners experienced a rise of ten percent or more within five years. Rising costs are commonly linked to higher insurance premiums, inflation, and the growing expense of maintaining or upgrading essential building systems.
Across the province, most condominium communities fall within a general range of $0.50 to $0.90 per square foot per month, depending on their size and complexity. Reviewing your corporation’s annual budget and reserve fund study is the best way to understand how your fees compare with other properties in your area.
How to Check What Your Fees Cover
Transparency is a cornerstone of condominium governance in Ontario. Owners have the right to review their corporation’s annual budget, audited financial statements, and reserve fund study. These documents are usually distributed ahead of the Annual General Meeting and are available upon request from the property management company.
If you have questions about your fees, you can ask how much is allocated to the reserve fund, whether any contracts have been renegotiated, and how your corporation compares with similar buildings. Staying engaged helps foster accountability and ensures that your community remains financially sound.
Conclusion
Condo maintenance fees are part of what makes condominium living in Ontario work. They keep the building running day to day, fund major repairs when they are needed, and help maintain the value of every owner’s investment. It can be easy to focus on the cost, but these fees are what allow a community to stay safe, comfortable, and financially stable.
When owners take the time to review budgets, attend meetings, and stay engaged in how their building operates, it creates a stronger and more transparent community. Working together with the board and management team helps ensure that fees are spent wisely and that the building remains a place residents are proud to call home.
