Picture this: calm evening, trade winds, and a sunset reflecting off a perfectly kept condo pool. It looks like pure paradise – and it is – but that view is powered by something unglamorous: strata fees.
Strata fees aren’t “extra rent” – they’re how the building survives
A lot of buyers new to Cayman see the monthly strata bill and immediately think, “They’re ripping me off.” In reality, healthy strata fees are what stop a building from slowly rotting in salt, sun and humidity.
In that one sunset pool shot, you’re actually looking at:
- Pool cleaning and chemicals
- Pump, filters and equipment maintenance
- Lighting and common-area electricity
- Landscaping around the pool and walkways
- Insurance and long-term reserve funds for bigger repairs
That “resort feeling” doesn’t exist without a strata that’s actually funding the work.
Cheap strata vs healthy strata: pay now or bleed later
Low fees look sexy on a listing, but ask a few hard questions before you fall in love with the number:
- Is there a real reserve fund, or does everyone panic and pay when something breaks?
- When were the last big jobs done – roof, painting, paving, pool resurfacing?
- Are they realistically budgeting for storms, rising insurance and an aging building?
A building that undercharges today usually comes with special levies and surprise invoices tomorrow. That’s when owners discover the true cost of “cheap” strata.
Questions to ask before you buy the sunset
Before you mentally move into that pool view, get practical:
- Ask for the last 2–3 years of strata budgets and financial statements.
- Check the reserve fund balance – does it match the age/size of the property?
- Ask if there have been any special levies in the last 5 years.
- Walk the common areas: tiles, paint, railings, lighting – does it look cared for or patched together?
You’re not just buying a unit – you’re buying into a mini-business
When you buy a condo in Cayman, you’re buying into a small business with income (strata fees) and expenses (maintenance, insurance, reserves). A well-run strata protects your investment and your stress levels.
That sunset pool photo is more than a pretty picture – it’s a report card. If the pool and common areas are spotless and obviously maintained, there’s a good chance the numbers behind it are being taken seriously. If everything feels tired, chipped and “temporary fixed”, the low fees may be hiding expensive problems down the road.
---
To see what’s currently on the market, you can search properties to rent or buy in Cayman.
