Key handover: the checklist before you sign

Key handover day is exciting — but it is not the moment to get carried away. Before signing the public deed and paying the balance, you have the right to carry out a snagging visit (punch list) to verify the delivered home matches the contract and has no defects. This article is your checklist: print it, take it to the flat and tick each point.

Before the visit: prepare

• Bring the quality specification (memory of qualities)
• Bring the floor plans
• Bring a tape measure
• Bring a torch
• Bring coloured adhesive tape (to mark defects on surfaces)
• Bring a notebook or use your phone (photo + location for each defect)
• Optional but recommended: bring an independent surveyor (€200-500 — the best investment before signing)

The checklist: 40+ points

Exterior and communal areas

• ☐ Lobby: finishes, letterbox, video intercom working
• ☐ Lift: operation, stops, signage
• ☐ Stairs: handrail, lighting, finishes
• ☐ Garage: correct space (number, location), painting, signage, ventilation, lighting, automatic door, EV pre-installation
• ☐ Storage room: access, lock, dimensions
• ☐ Pool: tank condition, filtration, solarium, safety fencing
• ☐ Gardens: planting, irrigation, exterior lighting

Entry and layout

• ☐ Front door: correct closing, security lock (if included), no scratches or dents
• ☐ Layout matches contracted plans
• ☐ Room dimensions: measure main rooms against plans
• ☐ Ceiling height: standard ≥2.50 m

Floors, walls, windows, kitchen, bathrooms, doors, wardrobes, electrics, HVAC, terrace

[Full 40+ point checklist covering: floor tiles (no broken/loose tiles, uniform joints), walls (uniform paint, no cracks >1mm), windows (correct brand, smooth operation, no draughts, no scratched glass, shutters working), kitchen (correct brand units/worktop/appliances, all functioning, no leaks), bathrooms (correct sanitary ware, no leaks, shower screen sealed, toilet fills and flushes, all drains working), interior doors (no rubbing, locks working), fitted wardrobes (doors working, shelves/rails installed), every socket tested, every switch tested, consumer unit labelled, aerothermal/underfloor/air-con working, terrace drainage and balustrade solid.]

What to do with defects found

1. Document everything: photos with location + written list.
2. Present the list to the developer in writing (email or registered post). Do not sign the deed until defects are corrected — or, for minor ones, sign with notarial record of pending defects with correction deadline.
3. The developer is obliged to correct them: finishing defects under 1-year guarantee, more serious ones (leaks, installation faults) under 3-year.
4. If the developer refuses: document, claim in writing, consult a lawyer if no response.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refuse to sign the deed if there are defects?

For serious defects (uninhabitable, significantly inferior finishes, missing installations): yes. For minor ones (scratches, door misalignments, shrinkage cracks): the usual practice is to sign with notarial record of pending corrections. Some buyers negotiate retaining 5-10 % of the price until defects are fixed.

How long does the snagging visit take?

For thoroughness: 1.5 to 2.5 hours for 80-100 m². With an independent surveyor, it can be faster (they know where to look). Do not rush — it is your last chance before signing.

Can I do more than one visit?

Yes. Many buyers do a first snagging visit, submit the defect list and do a second visit to verify corrections before signing. The developer should facilitate both.

Is it normal to find defects in a new home?

Yes. Even in the best developments, a thorough snagging visit finds 10-30 minor defects (glass scratches, door misalignments, paint spots, shrinkage cracks). It is part of the process — the key is documenting them and demanding correction. Serious defects (leaks, installation faults, inferior finishes) are less frequent but more important to detect.

What if I discover defects after moving in?

Finishing defects are covered by the 1-year guarantee. Habitability by 3 years. Structural by 10 years. Document, notify the developer in writing, and request repair. The clock starts from the deed date.

If you are about to receive the keys to your new home, explore our available properties or contact us for any questions.