Property Ownership
Property Handover and Snagging Guide
How a handover should run: preparing for the snagging inspection, recording defects properly, remedy periods, utility connections and what stays covered.
Handover is the moment your leverage is at its highest and most buyers use it least. A structured inspection, a written defect schedule and an agreed remedy period turn a walkthrough into a process.
Key takeaways
- Agree the snagging procedure in the contract, before signing — not at delivery.
- Inspect with the specification in hand, room by room, and photograph everything.
- Record defects in a written, dated schedule signed by both parties.
- Test services under load: taps, drainage, cooling, sockets, shutters, drainage falls on balconies.
- Understand what remains covered after handover, and for how long.
Before the inspection
Ask for the as-built specification, appliance documentation and warranty details in advance. Book enough time — a thorough inspection of an apartment is not a fifteen-minute visit.
What to check, room by room
Work systematically and record each item with a photograph and a location.
- Doors and windows: alignment, seals, locks, shutters.
- Water: pressure, temperature, drainage, visible leaks under units.
- Cooling and ventilation: each unit, on both modes.
- Electrics: every socket, switch, circuit and the distribution board labelling.
- Finishes: tiling falls, grout, paint, joinery alignment, silicone lines.
- Balconies and terraces: drainage falls, waterproofing details, balustrade fixings.
- Communal areas: lift, lighting, parking, storage, refuse.
After the inspection
Both parties sign the defect schedule with a remedy period. Re-inspect the remedied items before signing anything that closes the process out.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I use an independent surveyor at handover?
- Many buyers do, particularly when purchasing remotely. An independent inspection produces a defensible schedule and removes the awkwardness of negotiating defects yourself.
This material is provided for general information and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Laws, rates and requirements may change. Obtain professional advice based on your circumstances.
About the author
Arvora Development Team
Design and construction
Arvora's development team leads design, specification and delivery across every Arvora project in Limassol, from planning through to handover and snagging.