Discovering a termite infestation in an apartment or condominium usually raises an immediate question: after all, who should bear the costs of termite removal? The resident or the condominium? The answer depends on a number of factors, such as where the problem was identified, the source of the infestation and the areas affected. In many cases, the situation requires a technical analysis to determine each party's liability. Company carries out termite control Disclosure According to Assis, specialist at Cupins SP, the most important thing is to act quickly before the damage increases. "When we talk about termites, time makes a difference. Often the discussion about responsibility happens while the infestation continues to advance. The ideal is to identify the source of the problem as soon as possible", he explains. When is the resident responsible? In general, when the infestation is restricted to a specific unit and only affects furniture, cabinets, doors or private objects, the responsibility usually lies with the owner or resident of the property. This includes situations such as: Termites in custom furniture; Attack wardrobes and shelves; Infestation in wooden objects; Problems located inside the unit with no connection to common areas. In these cases, treatment is normally carried out directly by the owner. When can the condominium be responsible? The situation changes when termites reach common areas or collective structures of the building. Examples include: Roofs; Collective linings; Shared wooden structures; Party halls; Ordinances; Technical areas; Gardens and landscaping. If the infestation originates in a common area and ends up affecting apartments, the condominium may be held responsible for the treatment. How to identify the source of the infestation? This is not always simple. Termites can travel great distances without being noticed and can use walls, conduits, beams and hidden structures to travel. Assis da Cupins SP Disclosure Therefore, a technical inspection is usually essential. "We have already encountered cases in which the resident believed that the problem was just in a closet, but the colony came from a common structure in the building. Without a proper inspection, it is very difficult to identify the exact origin", says Assis. What does the legislation say? The Civil Code establishes that the condominium is responsible for the conservation and maintenance of the building's common areas. Owners must take care of the internal maintenance of their units. In practice, when there is doubt about the origin of the infestation, property managers and administrators usually request technical reports to support the decision. Termites in apartments are more common than it seems Many people only associate termites with houses, but apartments are also subject to the problem. Insects can arrive through: Contaminated furniture; Doors and frames; Wooden structures; cardboard boxes; Reforms; Common areas of the condominium. In older buildings, extra attention must be paid. Fun fact: a colony Depending on the species, especially subterranean termites, a single colony can spread across several units in a condominium without residents noticing. Termites in custom furniture Disclosure Therefore, when an apartment shows signs of infestation, it is recommended that property managers and administrators assess the situation comprehensively, preventing the problem from spreading to other areas of the building. After all, in the case of termites, the damage usually grows silently before appearing. To find out more Cupins SP has the best solutions to eliminate termites. “We know that the damage that termites leave can be irreversible, such as: rotting of wood, formation of nests in apartment conduits, total loss of documents and even short circuits”, says the company's official website. Termite Removal, Termite Pest Control and Help to Eliminate Termites? Call via WhatsApp: (11) 97627-2887 and (12) 98822-1971. Access Instagram Cupins SP.