Handover for a Hyderabad home

Prepare for the inspection

Ask for a scheduled walk-through with the owner, contractor or builder and relevant service people. Bring the approved room plans, finish schedule, earlier inspection notes and a written list of outstanding work. Test the home in daylight and with normal indoor lighting. Handover checks help identify visible and operational issues; they do not replace an engineer's structural inspection or an authority's approval.

Check rooms and systems

• Open and close doors, windows, locks and shutters. Look for visible damage, incomplete sealant and window drainage that appears blocked.
• Run taps, showers, flushes and appliances supplied with the home. Look under accessible connections for leaks and check drainage for slow flow or backup.
• Operate switches, lights, fans, exhausts and the distribution board under the electrician's supervision. Ask for current electrical test records and a labelled circuit schedule.
• Review visible walls, floors, ceilings, tile joints, paint and joinery for damage or incomplete work. Record each item with its room and a photograph.
• Locate water isolation valves, meters, tanks, pump controls, electrical isolation points and access panels. Make sure fixed furniture has not hidden essential maintenance access.

Collect documents and approvals

• Obtain the final approved drawings and any updated as-built plans showing structural, electrical and plumbing routes that differ from the original design.
• Collect structural completion or test records, service test results, waterproofing information, equipment manuals, product and warranty details, keys, access cards and contact details for follow-up.
• Ask the architect or builder which occupancy or completion approval applies to this property and where to verify it. Telangana building applications in GHMC, HMDA and DTCP areas are now handled through BuildNow; GHMC legacy pages may describe an older process. Whether an occupancy certificate is required depends on the current rules and property type.
• For a home bought from a promoter, retain the agreement, possession record and written defect reports. RERA obligations can apply to qualifying projects and defects; get legal advice for a dispute or deadline question rather than assuming every self-built home has the same statutory protection.
• Record meter readings, utility account details, equipment serial numbers and any temporary access codes. Change default passwords on connected equipment where provided.

Close out the snag list

• Send the dated snag list to the responsible person and agree in writing how each item will be addressed and reviewed.
• Keep proof of payment, receipts, approved variations and agreed completion dates in one place.
• Recheck repairs and update the list before signing any document that states the work is complete or all claims are settled. Read possession and acceptance terms carefully.
• Ask when routine maintenance is due for pumps, tanks, drains, sealants, windows and electrical protection equipment.