Installing a Video Intercom in an Italian Condominium

Video intercom installation in an Italian condominium is among the modernization projects most requested by owners in recent years, combining an improvement in perceived security with an upgrade of an often outdated intercom system. It is not, however, a simple technical replacement: it involves assembly decisions, privacy considerations for the footage collected, and a cost allocation that must be defined carefully from the outset.

Why replace the intercom with a video intercom

A video intercom adds to the audio function of a traditional intercom the ability to see who is at the entrance, reducing the risk of opening the door to unidentified people and improving residents' sense of security. It is also often the occasion to upgrade an obsolete intercom system, sometimes with components no longer available on the market, adding features such as remote opening via smartphone or call recording.

Classifying the work: innovation or maintenance

From a legal standpoint, replacing an intercom with a video intercom is generally classified as an innovation, since it introduces a new function compared to the existing system, rather than simple extraordinary maintenance. This classification affects the majority required at the assembly: the rules of article 1136 of the Italian Civil Code for innovations apply, which require a higher number of favorable votes than ordinary resolutions, calculated both by number of owners and by ownership shares.

The assembly resolution

The resolution must clearly state the type of system chosen, the cost estimate, the company assigned, if any, and the method for allocating costs. The agenda should describe the proposal in detail, avoiding generic wording, to prevent future challenges to the validity of the resolution itself. When a proposal raises concerns about cost, it is useful to present several comparable quotes so owners can choose with full knowledge of the options.

Privacy aspects of the footage

A video intercom with a camera pointed at the building entrance falls, under certain conditions, within the rules applicable to video surveillance systems, especially if images are recorded and stored. It is therefore necessary to assess whether a notice for people using the entrance is needed, to limit the field of view strictly to what is functional for identifying visitors, and to avoid capturing public spaces or third-party property beyond what is necessary. When the device only allows real-time viewing without recording, the obligations are generally lighter, but the technical choice should still be carefully evaluated before installation.

• Field of view limited to the entrance area, not public or private outdoor spaces
• Assessment of whether to record footage and for how long to retain it
• A short visible notice at the entrance, if a recording system is used
• Access to footage restricted to authorized parties

Who can access the digital intercom

Modern video intercoms often include centralized management features, allowing the property manager or a service company to program names, enable or disable accounts when a tenant changes, and manage temporary access codes for suppliers or couriers. The maintenance contract should clarify who has access to these functions and under what responsibilities, especially when the management app requires residents' personal data.

Splitting the cost among owners

Since the video intercom serves the building's common entrance, installation costs are generally split according to general ownership shares, unless the bylaws provide otherwise. If the building has multiple entrances or stairwells with separate intercom systems, the cost can be split only among the owners who actually use that entrance, similar to how other expenses tied to systems serving only part of the building are handled.

Maintenance and support after installation

Once installed, a video intercom requires periodic maintenance of its electronic components, which are often more delicate than a traditional voice-only intercom. It is advisable to sign a service contract with the installer, covering repairs in case of malfunction and software updates for network-connected models, to avoid a single failure leaving the entrance without service for weeks.

Planning the project correctly, from the assembly resolution to expense management and the maintenance contract, is easier with software that tracks quotes, minutes and cost allocations in an organized way. AmministraPro provides property managers with exactly these tools: the features page describes the tools for managing innovations and suppliers, while the pricing section lists the plans available for every type of firm.