Portuguese for Apartment Building Notices and Maintenance
Learn the words used in building announcements, shared spaces, and everyday requests about a repair or service visit.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Condomínio can mean the residential building or its administration, and síndico is the building manager or elected representative. Elevador is elevator, garagem is garage, portaria is the front desk or entrance, and área comum is a shared area.
Recognize common building words
A notice may begin with Atenção, moradores (Attention, residents) or Informamos que… (We inform you that…). Words like manutenção (maintenance), limpeza (cleaning), and horário (schedule or hours) help you identify the main point.
A manutenção do elevador será amanhã.
The elevator maintenance will be tomorrow.
A garagem ficará fechada durante a limpeza.
The garage will be closed during cleaning.
A encomenda está na portaria.
The package is at the front desk.
Ask about a repair or service visit
Reparo or conserto means a repair. To report a problem, say O interfone não está funcionando (The intercom is not working) or Tem um vazamento na cozinha (There is a leak in the kitchen). Add where and when you noticed it to make the message useful.
If someone needs to visit your apartment, confirm the time and what access is needed. Building arrangements vary, so confirm details with the responsible person.
A torneira está pingando desde ontem.
The faucet has been dripping since yesterday.
Que horas o técnico deve chegar?
What time should the technician arrive?
Pode avisar a portaria que ele está vindo?
Can you let the front desk know he is coming?
Check your understanding of a notice
Look for the date, time, place, and action requested. If the notice uses a term you do not know, ask the manager to summarize the change. A direct question can be easier than translating each sentence word for word.
You can acknowledge a message simply: Entendi, obrigado pelo aviso (I understand, thanks for letting me know). For an unresolved problem, state what is happening and ask what the next step is.
A obra começa em que dia?
What day does the work start?
Esse aviso vale para todos os apartamentos?
Does this notice apply to all apartments?
Qual é o próximo passo para resolver o problema?
What is the next step to resolve the problem?
Put it into practice
Imagine you found a building notice about elevator maintenance. Ask when it will happen, then confirm the practical change that affects you.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “What time should the technician arrive”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.