Your unit vs common property
In a strata-titled condo, the management corporation (MCST), usually through a managing agent, looks after common property such as corridors, gardens, car parks and shared structures. Owners generally look after the inside of their own unit. Your condo's by-laws set out the details, so check them or ask the management office.
- Termites in your carpentry, flooring or furniture: you normally arrange treatment yourself.
- Activity that seems to come from a common wall, planter, garden or another unit: report it to the management office. Treating inside your unit may not stop activity from outside it.
Step by step
- Document it. Photos of mud tubes, damage or droppings, and where and when you first saw them. Don't spray or disturb the activity.
- Tell the management office. Ask whether other units have reported termites, and whether the MCST has its own pest control contractor for common areas.
- Check contractor rules. Many condos require contractors to register in advance, work within set hours, and use lift protection for equipment.
- Get inspections and quotes. Ask operators to identify the species and trace where the termites are coming from.
- Keep the management office informed if the operator finds the source is outside your unit.
Common treatments in condos
- Baiting, including above-ground stations on active mud trails, is often used because it doesn't need drilling through shared slabs (PestClinic, Termite Treatment).
- Spot or corrective treatment of affected areas inside the unit.
- Foam or local treatment for drywood termites inside timber.
- Soil treatment in gardens or ground-floor and strata landed units, which may need MCST approval if it's on common property.
Not sure which kind of termite you have? See subterranean vs drywood termites.
What it costs (indicative)
- Termite corrective work with a warranty in condos: S$1,200–2,800 (KakiList, Pest Control Cost in Singapore (2026), updated Apr 2026).
- KakiList notes condo jobs typically cost 10–20% more than HDB (KakiList, Pest Control Cost in Singapore (2026), updated Apr 2026).
- Baiting with monitoring: from S$700 per year (Rentokil Singapore, Termite Treatment Price in Singapore).
Prices checked on 26 October 2026. These are published ranges and starting prices, not quotes. See the termite price guide.
Questions to ask the operator
- Where do you think the termites are coming from: inside the unit or outside?
- Will the treatment need drilling, and is that allowed under our condo's rules?
- How many visits are included, and what does the warranty cover?
- Can you give me a written report I can share with the management office?
Questions
Will the MCST pay for termite treatment in my unit?
Usually not for activity inside your unit, which owners generally handle. If the termites are coming from common property, report it to the management office, since common areas are the MCST's responsibility. Check your by-laws for the details.
Do I need management approval for termite treatment?
Many condos require contractors to register in advance and work within set hours. Work on common property, or anything involving drilling into shared structures, may need approval. Ask the management office before booking.
Why do termites appear in high-floor condo units?
Subterranean termites can travel up through cracks, pipes and service ducts, and drywood termites can arrive in infested furniture. Floor level doesn't rule them out.
Related
More guides
- Signs of termites in an HDB flat, and where to look
- Bed bugs after travel: how to avoid bringing them home
- How much does termite treatment cost in Singapore?
- Termite baiting vs soil treatment (chemical barrier)
- Bed bug treatment: cost and preparation checklist
- How to choose an NEA-licensed pest control operator
- How to tell if you have bed bugs
- Termite treatment for HDB flats
- Bed bug treatment: heat vs chemical, and how to prepare
- Subterranean vs drywood termites: how to tell them apart
- Pre-renovation termite treatment: is it worth it?
Termites in your condo unit? Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll pass your request to up to 3 NEA-licensed operators who cover your area. It's free, with no obligation.