Handover day: what you inspect, what you sign, and what stays under warranty

Handover is not a ceremony. It is a technical session in which you compare what was delivered against what was written, and record every observation before signing.

Before you go: three documents in your hand

• The signed handover specification sheet for your unit.
• The approved architectural drawing with the final areas.
• The warranty document: what it covers, its duration, and how to request a repair.

The inspection itself

Test what can be operated: taps, drainage, sockets, the distribution board, door and window closing, and floor level. Then check the finishing against the specification item by item — colour, type, thickness and brand.

Any observation not written in the snag list on handover day is an observation that did not happen.

After signing

The snag list has an agreed completion date and a responsible engineer. After it is closed, the warranty period begins for the items stated in the document, and maintenance requests move to the owners' union with a shared account and documented follow-up.