Snagging Checklist for Dubai Handovers
Everything to Check Before You Accept Your New Home
A room-by-room snagging checklist for Dubai handovers, covering every finish, fitting, and system to check before you accept your new home.
How to use this checklist
Work through the property room by room, slowly. Note every fault, however small, and take a photo of each one so it is on record.
Nothing is too minor to list. A scratched panel and a leaking pipe both belong on the same record, because the developer is responsible for putting both right. If you are unsure whether something is a fault, write it down anyway.
What to bring
A few simple items make a home inspection far more thorough. Bring these with you on the day.
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This checklist, printed or on your phone
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A phone charger to test power sockets
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A small spirit level or a level app for floors and surfaces
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Masking tape to mark defects without damaging finishes
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Your floor plan and sale agreement, to check the home matches what you bought
Walls, ceilings and floors
Look across surfaces in good light. Many finish faults only show when light hits them at an angle.
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Walls and ceilings free of cracks, dents, and uneven patches
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Paint even, with no marks, drips, or missed areas
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Skirting boards fitted neatly with no gaps
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Tiles level, with no chips, cracks, or lifting
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Tap tiles gently to check for hollow sounds (a sign of poor fixing)
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Grout and sealant clean, even, and complete
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Flooring level, with no bounce or movement underfoot
Doors, windows and glazing
Open, close, and lock everything. Doors and windows are where alignment and sealing faults show up fastest.
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Every door opens, closes, and latches smoothly
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Door handles and locks work and are fitted securely
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Windows open, close, and lock properly
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Glass free of scratches, chips, and cracks
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Window and door seals complete, with no gaps or daylight
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No draughts around frames when closed
Kitchen
Check the joinery, the surfaces, and every connected appliance and fitting.
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Cabinet doors and drawers open and close, aligned correctly
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Worktops free of chips, scratches, and stains
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Sink drains quickly with no leaks underneath
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Tap runs hot and cold at good pressure
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All provided appliances power on and run
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Sealant around the sink and worktops complete and clean
Bathrooms
Water, drainage, and sealing matter most here. Run everything and watch where the water goes.
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Taps and shower run hot and cold at good pressure
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Toilet flushes fully and refills correctly
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Basins, bath, and shower drain quickly with no standing water
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No leaks under the basin or around the bath and shower
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Sealant around all wet areas complete and clean
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Extractor fan works
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Tiles and grout even, with no hollow or cracked tiles
Electrics
Test power, lighting, and the main board. Bring a charger so you can check sockets properly.
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Every socket holds a plug firmly and delivers power
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All light switches work and control the right lights
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Light fittings secure and complete
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Distribution board labelled and the cover fitted
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No exposed wiring anywhere
Air-conditioning
Cooling is one of the most expensive systems to repair, so test it properly and give it time to perform.
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Each unit powers on and cools within a few minutes
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Airflow is strong from every vent
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No unusual noise, rattling, or water dripping from units
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The thermostat or control responds correctly
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No damp patches near units or ducting
Plumbing and drainage
Beyond the bathrooms and kitchen, check that water moves freely and nothing leaks.
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All drains clear quickly with no gurgling or backup
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No leaks at any visible pipe or connection
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Water heater works and delivers hot water
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No damp smells or water stains on walls or ceilings
Balcony and outdoor
Outdoor areas carry their own faults, especially around drainage and safety guarding.
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Balcony or terrace drains away from the building, with no pooling
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Railings and glass guarding secure and at full height
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Outdoor tiles level, with no cracks or lifting
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Outdoor sockets and lighting work
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Doors to outdoor areas seal and lock properly
Against your sale agreement
This is the step most buyers skip. Confirm the home you are accepting matches the one you agreed to buy.
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Layout matches your floor plan
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Room sizes look correct
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Finishes and materials match what was promised
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All included fittings and appliances are present
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No specifications quietly downgraded from the brochure
The faults that come up most often in Dubai are explained on Common Property Defects New to all this? Start with What Is Property Snagging?
Get the full checklist
Want this as a printable checklist to take with you, or a sample snagging report so you know what a professional one looks like?
I can send you a clean, printable version of this checklist and a sample report, free, so you walk into your handover prepared.
Prefer an independent inspector to do it for you? See Snagging Services Dubai
The complete guide
Explore the property snagging guide
Everything a Dubai buyer needs to inspect a new home and protect their investment, in one connected guide. Start with the overview, then go deeper on any topic.
Start here Property Snagging in Dubai: The Complete Guide The full overview of snagging for off-plan and new-build buyers in Dubai. Read the guideCommon Property Defects
The faults found most often in Dubai handovers, and which matter most.
What Is Property Snagging?
The basics, and the types of snags an inspection looks for.
Snagging Services Dubai
What a professional inspection includes, and what it costs.
Snagging vs Handover Inspection
The difference between the two, and why you need both.
Defect Liability & Warranty
How long the developer must fix defects after handover.
Off-Plan Pre-Handover Snagging
For off-plan buyers, including those buying from abroad.
How Snagging Saves You Money
The cost-versus-risk case for inspecting before you accept.
When To Book Snagging
Timing your inspection around the handover window.
Snagging Checklist
A room-by-room checklist to take to your handover.
Snagging Checklist for Dubai Handovers - FAQ
What should be on a snagging checklist?
A good checklist covers finishes, doors and windows, the kitchen and bathrooms, electrics, air-conditioning, plumbing and drainage, outdoor areas, and a check that the home matches your sale agreement.
Can I snag my own property in Dubai?
Yes, this checklist lets you do a thorough first pass. A professional adds tools such as moisture meters and thermal imaging that find faults you cannot see, like hidden leaks and weak cooling.
How long does it take to go through a snagging checklist?
Allow a couple of hours for an apartment and longer for a villa. Rushing is the main reason faults get missed, so give yourself time.
Do I need to test the air-conditioning during snagging?
Yes. Cooling faults are among the most expensive to repair, so run each unit, check the airflow, and confirm it cools properly.
What do I do once my checklist is complete?
Hand the documented list to the developer for rectification before you sign off. Keeping every fault on record, with photos, is what makes it the developer's responsibility to fix.
