Handover inspection in Dubai.
When you take handover of a new property from the developer, you have a fixed window to flag defects before they become your problem. A documented handover inspection forces the developer to fix what's broken, on their dime.
Try Snagify free →What is a handover inspection?
A handover inspection is the documented walk-through done when a property is delivered by the developer to the buyer or tenant. It identifies every defect, every snag, every incomplete finish that should be remedied before the buyer takes occupancy or starts paying rent.
In Dubai, every developer offers a defects liability period (typically 1 year) during which they must fix issues at no cost. That window only protects you if you've documented the defects in writing, with photos, signed by the developer's representative.
Snagify formalizes the handover into a single signed report. The developer's representative signs on the spot. Anything documented is on their bill to fix.
When you need it.
You're taking handover of an off-plan apartment.
You've waited 2 years for delivery. The unit looks finished but you spot wall cracks, missing kitchen handles, AC noise. Without a documented snag list, the developer disputes everything later.
You're a buyer taking possession from a developer.
Your defects liability period starts on the handover date. Anything not documented in the handover inspection becomes your maintenance cost from day one. Don't lose 6 months of free fixes.
You're a landlord receiving a new build to lease out.
You'll list this unit for rent within weeks. Tenant complaints about builder defects will land on you, not the developer. Document everything at handover so it stays on the developer's tab.
The Snagify approach.
Step by step.
Confirm property details
Building, unit, handover date. Developer's representative is added as the second signatory.
Walk every room
More thorough than a check-in. Open every cabinet, test every socket, run every tap. Photograph every defect.
AI categorizes severity
Wall scratches and cosmetic issues are flagged separately from functional defects (broken AC, leaking pipes, faulty wiring).
Test all appliances
Oven, fridge, washer, dryer, AC units, water heater. Every appliance tested live, with photo documentation.
Test all systems
Electrical sockets, plumbing fixtures, smart-home features, balcony locks, intercom. Each documented as working or defective.
Developer signs the snag list
Developer's representative signs on the same device. Each snag is now formally acknowledged. Repair timeline is auto-set per developer policy.
Track repair completion
Each snag can be re-inspected and marked resolved as the developer fixes it. Final report shows what was fixed and what wasn't.
What you get at the end.
A detailed snag list PDF with photos of every defect, severity classification, developer signature on each item, and a tracking section that updates as repairs are completed. SHA-256 verified, accepted by RERA and the Dubai RDC if disputes escalate.
Frequently asked.
Handovers are more thorough than check-ins. Plan for 60 to 90 minutes for a 1BR apartment, 90 to 120 minutes for a 3BR villa. Better to take the time than to discover defects after the developer's window closes.
You document the refusal in the report. The unsigned report is still legal evidence. RERA expects developers to engage with snag lists in good faith. A documented refusal becomes evidence in any RERA-mediated dispute.
Either party can initiate. Most developers run their own handover and ask the buyer to sign. With Snagify, you can run yours independently before signing theirs. The two reports together strengthen your position dramatically.
Handover inspection is the formal moment of property delivery from developer to buyer. Snagging is the broader practice of identifying defects, which can also happen later in a property's life. A handover inspection always includes a snag list.
Handover inspections use one credit, same as check-outs. Credit packs start at AED 49. For multiple properties (e.g. an investor with 5 units), pay-as-you-go credits are usually cheaper than any subscription.