Residents of The Tre Ver, a three-year-old condominium in Potong Pasir developed by UOL Group, have reported ongoing termite infestations affecting multiple units across several blocks. This issue follows a similar termite problem identified last year at Avenue South Residence, another UOL development located off Jalan Bukit Merah.

The Tre Ver comprises 729 units, while Avenue South Residence has 1,074 units. Both projects have encountered infestations of drywood termites, which are difficult to detect as they nest deep within wooden structures, feeding on dry wood and often remaining unnoticed until signs such as termite droppings or swarming insects appear.

At least 50 units at The Tre Ver have reported termite problems since December 2022, according to residents involved in a WhatsApp group for affected homeowners. One former resident, identified as J. Lau, noted finding termites in a built-in bedroom wardrobe in March 2025. Another resident, Darius Baker, discovered termite droppings in a kitchen cabinet in mid-2025 and described efforts by the management corporation (MCST) to address the infestation, including heat treatments designed to kill the pests. However, Baker said subsequent termite sightings in cabinets not installed by the developer were not addressed by the MCST, with homeowners advised that removal of affected cabinetry might be the only effective solution.

Pest control expert Tan Wee Kwong from Absolute Inspection, a firm specializing in property defect assessments, highlighted that termite infestations are rarely found in vacant new units before the COVID-19 pandemic but have become more common postpandemic. His firm found signs of termite or wood borer infestations in a small number of vacant units inspected at The Tre Ver between 2022 and 2023 and a higher incidence—affecting about half of vacant units examined—at Avenue South Residence during inspections in 2023.

Wood borers, beetle larvae known for tunneling into wood, were also identified in some cases. Both projects’ wardrobes and vanity cabinets were supplied by the developer.

UOL Group confirmed the presence of drywood termite infestations at both developments but declined to disclose the total number of cases at Avenue South Residence. The company said the defect liability period for The Tre Ver has ended but committed to working with affected homeowners by arranging timely inspections and coordinating appropriate remedial actions.

In a recent relevant court ruling, the management corporation of the Sunset Way condominium was ordered to compensate a couple nearly S$41,000 for repairs and over S$42,000 in costs after failing to prevent termite infestations in common areas, which resulted in damage to the couple’s unit.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) classified termite infestation as a defect considered within its Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS), which evaluates workmanship and major defects such as water seepage and tile cracking. Developers and builders receive band ratings from Band 1 (best) to Band 6 (worst), with UOL rated as Band 1 overall. The Tre Ver and Avenue South Residence received project-level ratings of Band 3 and Band 2, respectively, positioning them near the high end of the scale.

BCA noted that UOL’s overall Band 1 rating reflects quality performance across all projects evaluated over the past six years and indicated that termite issues at two specific developments are unlikely to affect the developer’s overall rating. Similarly, the individual project bandings consider cumulative assessments of all defects, including internal and external finishes.