First-day handover tasks: Water/electricity activation and document verification.
When an owner receives notification to collect keys to a new home, please ensure to bring identity documents and the official handover letter issued by the law firm to the handover centre. After obtaining the keys and the owner's manual, do not rush to take photos for memories; the primary task is to activate the unit's electricity and water supply. The developer usually connects electricity and water in advance; the owner should personally turn on all lighting, test the operation of air conditioners, and check the toilet flushing function to ensure all facilities are in an operational state.
Property inspection work must be carried out while all water and electricity equipment are functioning normally, otherwise it will be impossible to test the operation of appliances or whether the plumbing system is unobstructed. In addition, the owner will receive a property inspection form or defect rectification list provided by the developer. Please be sure to verify the submission deadline, which is usually within seven to fourteen working days after handover; this is the golden period for requesting the contractor to handle defects free of charge, so owners should carefully inspect every part of the unit and not omit any details.
- Carry identity card and handover letter.
- Start up all electricity and water sources on-site.
- Test air conditioner and toilet flushing operation.
- Find out the deadline for submitting the defect rectification list.
- Prepare to record all discovered defects.
Three key high-risk items: Water leakage, hollowing, and drainage.
During property inspection, owners should focus on checking areas that affect structure and living safety, especially windows and walls. The periphery of windows is a high-risk area for water leakage; owners should check if the sealing strips are showing signs of ageing, cracks, or leakage. If necessary, a simple observation can be made, or after rain, carefully observe if there are water marks, peeling paint, or signs of mould on the wall under the window sill to prevent damage to renovation and furniture due to leakage problems in the future.
Another key point is the inspection of floor tile hollowing; use a metal rod to gently tap the four corners and centre of the floor tiles. If a hollow sound is emitted, it indicates that the tile base and the cement layer have not bonded tightly. In addition, the drainage systems in kitchens and bathrooms must also be tested; fill the sink or bathtub with water and drain it all at once to test whether the drainage speed is ideal, and at the same time, check if there is a risk of dripping at the pipe connection points to avoid the cabinet rotting due to long-term dampness.
- Check for gaps in the rubber seals around windows.
- Observe walls for signs of water stains.
- Use a metal rod to perform a tapping test for hollowing.
- Test the drainage speed of the sink and floor.
- Check the P-trap pipe under the washbasin.
Strict adherence to procedures: Do not be overly hasty.
Do not start interior renovation immediately after handover. Rushing to let renovation workers enter early to catch an auspicious date to move in or to save rent is often the easiest mistake for owners to make. Once renovation work begins, including removing flooring or changing electrical socket positions, the developer is highly likely to use 'human damage' or 'construction impact' as an excuse to shirk maintenance responsibilities, turning what was originally free defect rectification into long-term financial disputes.
Therefore, owners must insist on completing defect rectification and confirming that all items meet standards after multiple reinspections before formally starting renovation work. Although this approach seems time-consuming, it is the safest means to protect the owner's money and property quality. Waiting for the developer to completely fix all discovered problems is the core line of defence to prevent difficulties in clarifying responsibilities, ensuring every cent of renovation expenditure is spent in the right space.
- Complete the developer's defect rectification work first.
- Avoid vague attribution of renovation responsibilities.
- Only start construction after confirming all defects are repaired.
- Avoid additional expenses caused by construction.
- Only enter the site for renovation after the reinspection standard is met.
The necessity of professional instrument testing.
Although owners can conduct basic inspections, if the testing process involves concealed positions, they can commission someone with professional knowledge to assist. Professional testing tools such as infrared thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters can assist in observing the internal condition of walls, detecting seepage paths that are difficult to find with the naked eye, and the effectiveness of waterproof layers, which is crucial for preventing long-term concealed seepage risks.
Through detailed observation records and data support provided by professional personnel, owners can more comprehensively understand the true condition of the property at the handover stage, and put forward more specific requirements for potential maintenance risks, ensuring that the contractor can properly repair the root cause of the problems.
- Use professional instruments to detect concealed leakage risks.
- Record changes in wall surface humidity.
- Professional advice to assist in reinspecting the effect of defect rectification.
- Clarify the true state of the property at the time of delivery.
Communication skills for property inspection and defect rectification.
When writing the defect rectification list, it is recommended that owners focus on objective descriptions, clearly marking the location and condition of defects, and avoiding the use of overly subjective adjectives. For example, point out that a certain floor tile has an obvious hollow sound or that there is unevenness at the edge of the window frame, rather than forcibly demanding the replacement of the entire material. This allows the contractor to have a clearer direction when performing maintenance and can also increase efficiency.
If the developer has disputes over certain repair items, the owner should keep all written records and photographs and clearly request an explanation of the execution standards for the relevant items. Maintaining a rational communication attitude and timely consulting with professionals can ensure that repair work is carried out on a fair basis to reach an acceptance quality approved by both parties.
- Record defects with objective photographs and text.
- Precisely mark the location of defects within the unit.
- Keep all communication records with the developer.
- Require the maintenance party to clearly execute the repair scheme.
FAQs
If hollowing is found on the wall, must one request replacement of the floor tiles?
Floor tile hollowing is a common defect in new buildings. Owners should assess based on the scope and location of the hollowing; if the hollowing is located at the edges or the area is small, they can discuss an appropriate repair scheme with the developer; if it involves a large area or a core stress-bearing position, it is recommended to request the contractor to relay the tiles to ensure safety.
How should an owner handle water leakage discovered during defect rectification?
Once signs of suspected water leakage are discovered, do not apply paint to cover them yourself. You should immediately mark the location, take photographs for a record, and clearly note it on the property inspection list. Subsequently, formally request that the developer send someone to check the root cause of the leakage and demand a maintenance plan and testing to confirm the problem is completely solved.
Why is it not recommended to start renovation work before completing defect rectification?
Once renovation work enters the site, the on-site environment becomes complex, and it is difficult to clarify whether defects were caused by building quality or the construction process. If renovation starts too early, the developer is very likely to use this as a reason to refuse to fulfil maintenance responsibilities, leading to the owner having to bear additional maintenance costs themselves.
