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Stage 8 of 8

Property handover and maintenance

At handover, record what you receive, when and in what condition, including keys, meter readings, documents and defects. It is not equivalent to the notarial transfer or commissioning.

Current topicProperty handover and maintenance
What to do now

Specify when and under what protocol possession, keys and documentation are transferred.

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Where this stage fits

  1. 01 Land, planning and designBefore construction begins, clarify the rights over the land, the planning rules and the proposed design.
  2. 02 Building permitThe permit states what may be built, identifies the developer and lists the approved designs. It does not prove that construction has started or been completed.
  3. 03 Start of construction and foundationsAfter the opening of the construction site and the determination of the line and level, the work on the permitted construction begins - first on the excavation and the foundations.
  4. 04 Construction and Act 14Act Form 14 certifies acceptance of the structural frame. It is related to the concept of "rough construction", but the two do not always mean the same thing.
  5. 05 Finishing works and utility connectionsWork continues on the façades, building systems, common areas and utility connections. Even if the building looks finished, that does not mean it has been authorized for use.
  6. 06 Preparation for acceptance and Act 15With Act Form 15, the builder hands the construction and its documents to the developer, and its readiness for acceptance is recorded. This is not the final authorization for use.
  7. 07 CommissioningAccording to the category, the final document is a permit to use or a certificate of commissioning. The colloquial "Act 16" can mean a variety of things.
  8. 08 Property handover and maintenanceAt handover, the parties record the keys, the property's condition, meter readings and any observations. Maintenance and condominium obligations follow.

How this stage unfolds

What happens on site?

Visible construction work and the documents recording specific events are connected, but they are not the same thing. Check each separately.

Construction work

The inspection covers not only floors and walls, but also windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, heating and ventilation, terraces, storage, a garage or parking space, and access to common areas. Compare the actual condition with the agreed specification and appendices.

Some problems are immediately apparent, while others require measurement, sampling, or time. Therefore, the inspection should be organised, with sufficient lighting and access, rather than a quick signing on receiving the keys.

For the buyer

Why does it matter to the buyer?

A clearly recorded initial condition reduces disputes about what was present at handover and who assumed each obligation. Wording such as "accepted without remarks" can be problematic if it does not reflect the actual inspection.

Handover often starts ongoing costs and responsibilities. Clarify when maintenance charges begin, who bears the risk, how warranty claims are submitted and who manages the common areas.

Who can help?

An independent technical specialist can inspect and describe defects systematically and precisely. A specialist in a particular building system may be needed where the issue cannot be assessed visually.

The lawyer reviews the clauses, the record and the implications of the remarks. The seller or investor, the builder, the maintenance company and the building management may have different responsibilities - ask for a specific person responsible for each topic.

Terms you will encounter
Undivided sharesGarage and parking space

Next stage

What usually comes next?

Track the repair of recorded defects with dates and evidence from follow-up inspections. Organize warranties, records and correspondence so that every promise can be followed up.

Organize utility accounts, insurance, participation in the condominium and ongoing maintenance. The purchase does not end with the keys; ownership also brings responsibility for the property and common areas.

Before relying on this stage

What do you need to clarify?

Specify who will attend, how much time is available and whether you may bring an independent technical specialist. Prepare the contract specification, plans and earlier correspondence for comparison on site.

Find out how a defect is registered, who confirms the fix and what costs start from what date. Ask for a clear separation between seller, builder, maintenance and condominium commitments.

Before you continue

Checklist

Use this list when speaking with the seller or a specialist. A tick only records your progress; it does not verify the condition of the property or the works.

  1. 01

    Make a measurable list with a photo, exact location, description and agreed time frame for each identified defect.

  2. 02

    Compare the areas, layout, fixtures, degree of completion and materials with the contract and attachments.

  3. 03

    Record the number of keys and remotes, the serial numbers of appliances and the readings of all available meters.

  4. 04

    Ask for the warranty conditions, contacts and reporting procedure, as well as the available documentation for the common parts and equipment.

  5. 05

    Specify the start date and basis for fees, utility accounts, insurance, access and maintenance.

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Sources

Check the official source

This content is educational and does not replace a qualified professional's review of the documents for a specific property.

Version 2 · The content is published but has not yet been reviewed by a specialist.

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