Taking Handover of Your Apartment or Villa From the Developer: The Snag List Before You Sign

A snag list is a written list of every defect and incomplete item in your new apartment or villa, documented with photos and the location of each issue, which you hand to the property developer to fix before you sign the handover. The best time for it is after you receive your handover date and before you sign, because at that point the repairs are on the developer, not on you.

In this guide we explain what a snag list covers, what to check in your unit before handover, the mistakes many owners make, and when you need a developer handover (snagging) inspection from the Fahison team.

Why Do You Need a Snag List Before Handover?

A new unit looks clean and shiny on handover day, but that does not mean it is free of defects:

• A quick walk-through won't reveal small leaks, weak insulation or electrical problems.
• Hidden defects usually show up after you move in, with daily use of water and AC.
• Without a written, documented list, your claim is only verbal and hard to follow up with the developer.
• After you sign and move in, many repairs become harder, and you may end up paying for them yourself.

What Does a Snag List Cover? 9 Areas to Check in Your Unit

These are the areas Fahison's inspection covers when you take handover of an apartment or villa from the developer:

1. Walls and ceilings

Cracks, straight walls and corners, and gypsum work.

2. Floors and cladding

Levelness and hollow tiles, tile and marble quality, scratches and breakage.

3. Electrical

Switches and sockets, lighting, earthing, the distribution board and appliances.

4. Plumbing and drainage

Water pressure and leaks, drainage, and damp checked with inspection equipment.

5. Doors and windows

Installation, locks and hinges, sealing, and aluminium and glass work.

6. Paint and finishes

Even colour, levelness, cracks, and putty quality.

7. Air conditioning and ventilation

Cooling performance, clean vents with no obstructions.

8. Bathrooms and kitchens

Ventilation and extraction, floor falls, silicone, and kitchen cabinets.

9. Matching the drawings

Dimensions and levels checked against the unit's drawings.

Tips Before Handover Day

Simple steps to make the most of your handover appointment. They don't replace an engineering inspection:

• Ask the developer for the unit's drawings: so you can compare dimensions and levels with what you receive.
• Make sure electricity, water and AC are on for the inspection: systems can only be tested when they run.
• Photograph every issue you notice: a scratch, a broken tile, or a door that won't lock.
• Don't sign the handover before you submit your snags: and ask the developer to confirm a repair date.
• Far from the unit? Our engineers inspect it for you and send you the report.

Common Mistakes When Taking Handover From a Developer

• Relying on a quick walk-through: hidden defects don't show to the eye in a few minutes.
• Signing first, snagging later: you lose the strongest moment to make your claim.
• A list without photos or locations: it is hard for the developer to act on, and hard for you to follow up.
• Not re-checking after repairs: make sure the snags were actually fixed before you move in.

Developer Handover Inspection With Fahison

A specialist engineering inspection for new villas and apartments that checks the developer has met quality standards and gives you a clear snag list to hand over:

• Our engineers inspect the unit with equipment and detailed checklists for every item.
• Tools to measure levelness and levels, a thermal camera to detect insulation issues and hidden leaks, and electrical and plumbing testers.
• A report with every observation documented with photos and its location, plus the proposed fix.
• The report within 3-4 days of the visit, in Arabic or English.
• Prices start from AED 1,500.

See every inspection item on the villa or apartment handover inspection from the developer page.

Building Your Villa With a Contractor?

• If you are building with a contractor, read our guide: What to check before taking handover of your villa, and our initial handover inspection.
• If you have moved in and defects are appearing, read: Defects that appear after moving into a new villa.
• To see what our reports look like: Our reports.

Snag List and Developer Handover FAQ

Q: What is a snag list?
A: It is a written list of every defect and incomplete item in your new unit, each documented with photos and its location, which you hand to the developer to fix before you sign the handover.

Q: Does the inspection cover villas or only apartments?
A: Both: we inspect new villas and apartments before handover from the property developer.

Q: When should I book a developer handover inspection?
A: Once the developer gives you a handover date, and before you sign the handover.

Q: Can I do the snag list myself?
A: You can note the visible issues yourself, and that helps. But damp, hidden leaks, weak insulation and electrical problems need specialist equipment and engineers, which is why an engineering inspection gives you a more accurate list.

Q: What does the report include?
A: Every observation documented with photos and its location, with the proposed fix for each.

Q: When will I receive the report?
A: Within 3-4 days of the visit.

Q: How much does a developer handover inspection cost?
A: Prices start from AED 1,500. Contact us with your unit's details and we'll confirm the price.

Don't Take Handover Before We Inspect

Got your handover date from the developer? Book a handover inspection on WhatsApp, or see the developer handover inspection details.