What do strata fees include?

[JohnnyAbracad]

I'm trying to estimate likely costs of condo ownership in Vancouver region, eg strata fees, property tax, gas, electricity, mortgage. Have I made any major omissions?



Also do condo strata fees include utility user fees, or is this payable separately? If the latter is a condo charged as a single family dwelling?



Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Thomas Beyer]

Condo fees start at around 30 cents a square foot, more on older buildings (due to high reserve fund contributions or higher repair bills) or high end buildings with lots of amenities (such as as concierge, swimming pool, sauna, 4 elevators, high end lobby ..).



It includes

• cold water usually,
• sometimes hot water (depends !!),
• elevator maintenance,
• security,
• common area maintenance (like parkade, hallways,..),
• common area cleaning,
• building insurance,
• garbage removal / recycling,
  common area electricity (i.e. hallways lights or elevator energy) and
  reserve fund contributions.
  
  
  
  It usually does NOT include
  
  
  in-suite insurance
  in-suite maintenance,
  electricity for in-suite,
  property taxes,
  wifi/cable/TV/telephones