Explaining Monthly Condo fees

Download your FREE copy of the Ontario Condominium Buyers Guide here

Lots of my clients have questions about the dreaded ‘maintenance fees’ associated with Toronto condos I’m going to de-mystify them for you! 

If you're buying a condo it's important to know how much the maintenance fees per month, as your lender will take 50% of the condo fees into consideration when they are looking at your finances.  

Very simply, condo fees are calculated on the square footage you own, and a % of the common areas (like the halls, lobby, gym, elevators, recreational facilities).   So if you own more, like a larger unit, an extra parking spot, a locker you’ll pay more per month.  

The actual fees in Toronto are around 67 cents a square foot; but there’s a really wide range – I’ll talk about why that is next.   If you find a condo that has monthly fees are about $1.00 a square foot or more, than you’re in a building with higher fees.  

Click here to watch my 3.5 minute video - Monthly Condo Fees or click on the picture below!




Before I cover what's in the video here, here are some additional Pro Tips: 

1.  Pro Tip - understand how fees work to set your budget and expectations

Did you know that Toronto condo fees can have a direct relationship with the price you pay for a condo? Many of my clients wish list looks like this: 

"Sue I want a big condo with low fees and all utilities included in a new building"   Is that even possible on a modest budget?  Let's call those features the "holy grail" of condos.  Is it even possible to find that?  Well, yes, if you have a higher budget than average,,,,

It may be if you are looking to spend over the Toronto condo price average.  But if you're looking to spend under the Toronto condo price average (right now it's $730,792) it just makes sense that you will not likely find the "holy grail" with a below average budget. 

2. Pro Tip - there is a relationship between price and monthly condo fees

I mention in the video that monthly condo fees can range from an average of .65 per square foot (you'll have a hard time finding a 2 bedroom with fees under $600 per month) to over $1.00 per square foot.

There are 2 types of condos in Durham and Toronto where you can find $1.00 and up

  • Luxury buildings that are in wealthy neighborhoods 
  • Condo buildings that have had to increase fees to cover extraordinary repairs.   I will say generally (but not exclusively) these buildings are older & have a lower income owners or owners on a fixed income.  They have not agreed to increase the monthly fees to cover repairs over time; consequently have had large condo fee hikes for emergency repairs.  This depresses the prices in the building.  

But, don't worry,  you will be able to check that out before you buy!  That's the subject of my next video!!

3.  Pro Tip: is it a bad idea to buy an older condo?

Older condos can be a great option -  this is where you find the sweet spot of size & community.  I like older condos because:

  • you can get an idea of the community
  • they are larger
  • if they have been well managed, fees increases will be modest over time
  • large costly repairs may have already happened (therefore been paid for)


So back to how fees have changed over time; 

So why is there such a wide range of fees and what to they cover?   

The first condo in Toronto was built in 1968, they were heavily advertised as a great option for downsizers.   To attract this clientele, the condos were created as maintenance free living – large units with luxurious amenities.   So, similar to an apartment utilities and upkeep were included in the monthly fees.   Indeed many older buildings still include all utilities in their monthly fees as well as cable TV & internet packages.


Here's an article from Tridel on First Condos in North America

Over time, the provincial government encouraged builders to become more energy efficient.  Condo boards also looked to manage fee increases by downloading some utility costs to the suite owners.  Consequently you’ll find buildings built in the 1980’s include fewer utilities.

So what do those fees cover?   Think of a pie chart with a slices allocated to different things - see the example below.  One slice goes to a reserve fund, where funds are reserved for upcoming repairs & capital improvements.  One slice is for utilities, one slice can be for groundskeeping and landscaping etc.  The owners form a board of directors that oversees the management of the building year to year.   



Who regulates condominiums in Ontario? Rules for how a condo operates are governed by Provincial legislation called the Ontario Condominium Act. If you’re buying a condo, the property management is obligated to provide you with the financials – called a Status Certificate to review with your lawyer – I’ll be talking more about that in the next video! 

Other helpful articles and resources: 

Buying an older condo in Toronto

Condominium Authority of Toronto

If you’d like to learn more, please call me at 416-562-5002.   

Download your FREE copy of the Ontario Condominium Buyers Guide here 

Jan 27, 2022

Recent Blog Posts

Sep 29, 2026

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) in Ontario had some major updates and legislative changes that took effect September 21, 2026.   Thes introduce significant procedural shifts for both landlords and tenants in Ontario, and should improve delays.

Key updates of the September 21 2026 LTB Changes are: 


Shorter N4 Notice Period (7 Days): The notice period for an N4 form (Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-Payment of Rent) has been reduced from 14 days to 7 days for monthly, yearly, and fixed-term tenancies. This compresses the window a tenant has to pay missed rent before a landlord can file an L1 application with the LTB.

N12 Personal-Use Eviction Compensation Exception:  Landlords serving an N12 notice (for personal use by themselves, a purchaser, or close family members) can now waive the standard requirement to pay one month's rent as compensation, provided they give at least 120 days' notice and the termination date aligns with the end of a rental period or term.

Persistent Late Payment has been defined (N8): Regulation changes establish a clear, written benchmark for persistent late payment under an N8 notice—defined specifically as "three or more occasions of rent being paid more than seven days late" within a six-month lookback period.

T5 Application Deadline Update: The deadline for a tenant to file a T5 application (for bad faith evictions or related issues) has been updated to two years after the date the tenant moves out

(Note: Other concurrent administrative shifts surrounding LTB reviews, fine structures, and general procedures have rolled out through mid-2026 to streamline case processing timelines.)

What these changes mean if you're a landlord:

These updated regulations provide sharper tools to manage cash flow and streamline property operations when challenges arise. With the N4 notice period compressed to just seven days, you can address non-payment of rent much faster, reducing the window of financial exposure. Additionally, the option to waive the one-month compensation fee on an N12 notice—provided you give at least 120 days' notice—offers welcome flexibility when transitioning a property back for personal or family use. Meanwhile, the clear benchmark for persistent late payment under an N8 removes previous gray areas, making it straightforward to document chronic payment issues and take decisive action.

What these changes mean if you're a renter: 

The shifting landscape means timelines and procedural windows require your utmost attention to protect your housing stability. Because the N4 notice period for missed rent has dropped from 14 days down to seven, you have a much narrower window to catch up on arrears before a landlord can file with the LTB. On the plus side, clarity around rules like the two-year deadline for filing T5 bad-faith applications gives you a solid, predictable timeframe to hold landlords accountable if an eviction turns out to be unlawful. Staying proactive with your communication and keeping meticulous payment records are your best defenses under these tighter rules.

Maximum Prosecution Fines for Landlords in Ontario:

For severe violations of the RTA—such as illegal lockouts, bad-faith evictions, or shutting off vital services—landlords can be prosecuted. Maximum fine thresholds are:   

  • Individuals: Up to $100,000   
  • Corporations: Up to $500,000  

Bad Faith Evictions (N12 / N13): If a landlord evicts a tenant for personal use or renovations and fails to follow through (e.g., re-renting the unit out immediately at a higher rate), a tenant can file a T5 application. Penalties ordered by the LTB can include:   

  • Paying the tenant up to 12 months of their last rent charged.   
  • Covering the difference in rent between the old unit and the tenant’s new home for up to one year.   
  • Covering reasonable out-of-pocket moving, storage, and related expenses.  

Other landlord behaviours that may result in fines or penalties are:  Illegal Lockouts, interfere with reasonable enjoyment, changing locks without following proper legal eviction processes, or harassing a tenant to force them out, are major offenses., intentionally cutting off or interfering with the supply of heat, electricity, fuel, hot/cold water, or gas is strictly prohibited.   Unlawful Rent Collection: Charging rent above allowable guidelines without an approved Above-Guideline Increase (AGI), illegally retaining deposits, or failing to pay annual interest on rent deposits results in mandatory rebates to the tenant (via T1 applications).   

For more information on Bill 60 & the Residential Tenancies Act visit: 

Ontario Government Website bill 60

Ontario Residential Tenancies act 2006

Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario

Landlord Tenant Board Decisions through OpenRoom

LTB of Ontario Decision Data Catalogue

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Sep 20, 2026

The core concern for most Toronto downsizers: 

Downsizing from a long-time family home is as much an emotional hurdle as it is a logistical one. Sellers often ask how to sort through a lifetime of accumulated possessions without feeling completely overwhelmed.  

In the Greater Toronto Area, this has led to a massive demand for specialized local resources. Families frequently ask how to vet professional senior move managers, how local online estate auctions (such as those servicing Ontario via platforms like MaxSold or Transition Squad) handle a large volume of items items, and what local charities or consignment options will accept remaining items.  

My personal experience as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist:

My clients are often overwhelmed with the task of sorting through a lifetime of accumulated possessions (and collections) without feeling completely overwhelmed.   Here are some tips I have learned helping many of my sellers through this exact process:

  1. Start as early as possible - if you’re planning a move start a year before.  Sort into piles of ‘junk’, ‘sell’ & keep. 
  2. Tackle one room at a time starting with an unused guest room. Use the cleared room to stage the items from other rooms so your house stays organized.
  3. Use the "pomodoro' method - remember the little tomato kitchen timers?  Set a timer to 20 minutes - work through as much as possible - then take a break.  Admire your progress.  Repeat for another 20 minutes.  Breaking up the tasks makes things easier. 
  4. Selling things?  Do your resarch beforehand  The value of your items & the modern methods of selling may be vastly different than you imagine.  A little research ahead of time will help you understand what works best for you.  
  5. Bring in professionals to consult - a decluttering expert or realtors like me (who work hands on) will help you and your family break down the process, work with you to come up with a plan so you don’t have a nervous breakdown!

The main ways to sell a lot of belongings in Toronto if you're downsizing  

Personal on-line sales like Kijiji & Facebook marketplace:

Garage sales:

On-line platforms like Carrot, E-bay etc. 

On line auction houses/estate auctions like Transition Squad or MaxSold 

Consignment Stores:

Auction houses like Sotheby's

On-site estate sales

Pros and cons of each method of selling:

 Personal on-line sales like Kijiji & Facebook marketplace:

  • Pros:  you can set your own prices, take your own pictures & write your own descriptions - you have full control, you keep 100% of your sales
  • Cons: strangers show up to your door; they may haggle or "ghost' you - ask a lot of questions then become unresponsive, it may take a long time to sell things

Garage sales:

  • Pros: you can sell a bunch of things at once, it all happens in one day and people will leave with their purchases, often there are neighbourhood sales organized that will draw bigger crowds, you keep 100% of your sales
  • Cons:  if you don't like haggling, this is not for you, advertising is usually limited to your neighbourhood, weather may not co-operate

On-line platforms like Carrot, E-bay etc. 

  • Pros:  you can set your own prices, take your own pictures & write your own descriptions - you have full control
  • Cons: strangers show up to your door; they may haggle or "ghost' you - ask a lot of questions then become unresponsive, it may take a long time to sell things, both are not as popular as Facebook marketplace, there is a fee for selling items, you have to arrange pack & to ship items by mail to buyers that are not local - so not good for larger, heavy items

On line auction houses/estate auctions like Transition Squad or MaxSold 

  • Pros:  people bid on your items & pay on line.  No haggling.  Pick up is generally a specific and limited window.   A great way to sell a lot of items at once.  You can manage your own auction (pictures, descriptions & posting) or pay a service to have someone else manage it for you. 
  • Cons: The auctions charge a percentage which is non-negotiable.  Managing an auction is labour intensive, so expect to pay by the hour for someone to do it for you.  MaxSold starts all auctions at a dollar, with no reserve - but has a large database of potential buyers.  Transition Squad has reserve bidding, but a much smaller database of potential buyers

Consignment Stores:

  • Pros: good for higher end items that may sell for more but not in the fine art/antique category.  Buyers will pick them up from the store so you don't have to deliver.
  • Cons: they are picky and will only accept items that they know they can sell (apply with pictures to the consignment store to find out if an item is acceptable), generally the longer it take to sell the less you will make, the consignment store will have a fee, you have to arrange to get your items to the store & pick them up if they don't sell.  There are not as many consignment stores as there used to be. 

Auction houses like Sotheby's

  • Pros: they sell books, furniture & decorative Art, Jewelry, Paintings & Sculpture, Sports Collectibles, the sell on line or also at auctions, either live or on-line
  • Cons: generally for high end items or fine jewellery, there is a process similar to consigning to see if they will sell your item; they judge condtion and provenance, too.  Fees are about 20% of finaly price, They take about 3 weeks for consideration of an item to sell

On-site estate sales - honestly I am not sure if anyone does these in Toronto anymore! 

Buying household contents in Toronto or the GTA is an urban myth

I see people asking this question all the time on-line.  There is no service in Toronto that will pay you in bulk for a household of items

Any way you would like to sell your items, understand that there is a glut of 'baby boomer' stuff out there.  Younger generations simply don't live the lifestyle of their parents or grandparents - so they don't have space for, or appreciation of things like: Dining room sets, heavy carved furniture, matching bedroom suites, 'good' china, silver or crystal.  With a glut of these items on the market, set your expectations accordingly! 

For more hints and tips, please check out:

How to sort through a lifetime of pictures & slides

30 Day Declutter worksheet

Tips for a smooth move



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Sep 14, 2026

Spectacular ravine setting

Craving something that’s not a cookie-cutter home?  Set on an extraordinary ravine lot, this home is packed full of character and unlike any typical East York bungalow.   With 2 bedrooms upstairs along with a full bath and sunroom overlooking the ravine this home has an open concept main floor with vaulted ceilings. 

Descend the incredible reclaimed wood stairs to the lower level (the basement is on-grade) with a 3rd bedroom/rec-room and 4 pc bath. Also on this level is a walk-out to the back deck, yard and ravine. 

On the other side of the lower level there's a jr 1 bedroom suite with separate laundry, 2 separate entrances, a deck, kitchenette & bedroom with 3 pc ensuite & egress window. It's completely separated from the rest of the house and has been carefully and thoughtfully designed with privacy in mind - right down to a separate outdoor space. 

The serene back yard has lots of table land and ultimate privacy - there's no public space beyond.  If you want to enjoy the Taylor Creek Park system the entrance is at the end of the block. 

Surrounded by established homes & new builds, this is your chance to own a very special home that speaks to calm, stillness and nature in the heart of the city. 

Incredible character and features

The main floor features 100+ year old wide plank reclaimed hardwood floors, an open concept living space with vaulted ceiling & skylights - all overlooking the ravine that dips down to a tributary of Taylor-Massey Creek.

The kitchen ceiling is vaulted with 2 skylights creating an incredible light filled home.  The lower level, accessed by a gorgeous reclaimed wood staircase has a room that can be used as a 3rd bedroom or rec room.  There's a full 4 pc. bathroom, and the entry is heated with a wet bar/kitchenette and dedicated yoga space.  

Video tour of 124 Glenwood Terrace

Privacy & income potential 

Another unique feature of the home is that the the other side of the lower level has been converted into a jr 1 bedroom suite with separate laundry, 2 separate entrances, a deck, kitchenette & bedroom with 3 pc ensuite & egress window. 

It's completely separated from the rest of the house and has been carefully and thoughtfully designed with privacy in mind - right down to a separate outdoor space and deck with privacy screen.  

The ravine

The serene back yard has lots of tableland and ultimate privacy - there's no public space beyond. If you want to enjoy the Taylor Creek Park system the entrance is at the end of the block.  With a gently sloping yard, there's lots of space to enjoy.   Set back from the other homes, it's a truly private oasis. 

Surrounded by established homes & new builds, this is your chance to own a very special home that speaks to calm, stillness and nature in the heart of the city.

For a private showing, message me at 416-562-5002

Craving more details about 124 Glenwood Cres?

Check out the links below:

Full listing details with all the photos

Property Website for 124 Glenwood Cres

Search for Ravine properties in Toronto



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