Condo Turnover Inspection: What to Check on Handover Day and What to Put in Writing

Three things to settle before you go

Being rushed to sign while defects are only acknowledged verbally? → Have Yixing attend the inspection and file the list in writing

Confirm which document you will sign, since turnover and title transfer are different steps; see turnover to title transfer. Bring the plan and specification annex, a torch, a small plug-in appliance, a tape measure and something to write with. And book enough time, avoiding end-of-day or mass-turnover slots.

Inspect by system, not by room

1. Doors, windows, locks — operation, seals, glass, key count.
2. Walls, floors, ceilings, tiling — hollow spots, cracks, tolerance at wet-area junctions.
3. Water — every tap, drainage at every outlet, a wet-area observation, and the meter reading.
4. Electrical — every socket and switch, panel labelling, breakers, and the meter reading.
5. Air conditioning and ventilation — cooling, condensate drainage, extraction.
6. Kitchen, bathroom fittings and cabinetry — operation, joints, service provisions.
7. Area and specification checked line by line against the contract annex.

Units are delivered bare or semi-furnished; the annex governs. See bare versus semi handover.

Write each defect as location, symptom, remedy

"Master bedroom, west wall, hollow tiling about a metre above floor level, to be repaired and re-inspected" is enforceable. "Wall has a problem" is not, and a photograph alone rarely is either.

Produce two copies, signed and timed by both sides. If the other side will receive but not sign, photograph the handover and resend the list the same day in writing, keeping proof of sending.

Also put in writing the rectification deadline and re-inspection, and what you are actually acknowledging — acceptance, or acceptance subject to listed items.

Meters, keys and access

Before leaving, record meter readings with photographs, count keys and access cards, confirm parking and storage identifiers, and note the maintenance reporting channel. Then move on to move-in permits, association dues and house rules and connecting utilities.

If the developer will not accept the list

Escalate internally first, in writing at every level, citing unit number, inspection date, the defect list and the remedy and deadline you require. If that fails, the housing and urban development authority has a complaint and adjudication route; see where to file a property complaint, and confirm current filing requirements first.

Either way, a complete written timeline usually matters more than the defect itself. Yixing (SEC CS202009551 · BI CA-202624381-1) can attend the inspection, compile the written list and follow up on rectification.

Buyer protection in presale and turnover derives largely from the Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree (Presidential Decree No. 957), with DHSUD assuming the former HLURB functions under Republic Act No. 11201. Filing requirements follow that agency's current issuances.