Handover inspection checklist: what to check in each part of the flat
When you take possession, check item by item, area by area: doors and windows, walls and ceilings, floors, kitchen and bathroom, plumbing, electrics and fittings. Photograph any problem at once, record where it is and notify the other party in writing. For a first-hand flat, you can ask the developer to make repairs within the defects liability period.
What tools should you bring?
Simple tools are enough to check most items. Buyers of a first-hand flat can also hire an inspection company to check for hollow areas, water seepage and the electrical installation with instruments.
- A torch, a tape measure, a spirit level and masking tape (to mark locations).
- A phone charger or socket tester, to test every socket.
- A bucket or plastic bottle, to test the drainage.
- The floor plan and the list of fittings and appliances set out in the sales brochure.
Check area by area
Start at the front door and go through every room in order, checking the same set of items in each place, so that little is missed.
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Doors and windows | Whether they open and close smoothly, door and window locks, scratches on the glass, water seepage around the windows |
| Walls and ceilings | Cracks, hollow areas, water stains, whether the paint is even |
| Floors | Loose sections, hollow areas, scratches, whether the joints are level |
| Kitchen | Cabinet doors and drawers, hob, cooker hood, sink drainage |
| Bathroom | Toilet flush, shower water pressure, floor drainage, waterproof sealant |
| Plumbing and electrics | Every socket and switch, main switch, water heater, air conditioners |
After you find a problem
Photograph every problem and mark its location on the floor plan. Buyers of a first-hand flat give the list to the developer and ask for repairs within the defects liability period set out in the agreement for sale and purchase. Check again once the repairs are done.
A second-hand flat is generally sold as it stands. The inspection is mainly to confirm that the flat is in the same condition as at the viewing, and that the furniture and appliances included under the agreement for sale and purchase are all there and working.
Common questions
How long does a handover inspection take?
It depends on the size of the flat. Inspecting a small or medium-sized flat yourself generally takes two to three hours. Do it in the daytime, when good light makes defects in the walls and floors easier to see.
Can I ask the owner of a second-hand flat to make repairs?
A second-hand flat is generally sold as it stands, unless the agreement for sale and purchase provides otherwise. If anything needs repairing, raise it before you sign the provisional agreement for sale and purchase and have it written into the agreement.