What is handover, and what is snagging?
Handover is when the developer gives you the keys. Snagging is the inspection process where you list every defect that needs fixing.
Handover is the day a developer transfers possession of a new property to you. Snagging is the systematic inspection that follows — your one chance to get every defect on a written list while the developer is still legally obligated to fix it.
What to look for during snagging
- Walls & ceilings — paint finish, cracks, watermarks.
- Doors & windows — alignment, locks, seals, screens.
- Plumbing — every tap, every drain, water pressure, leaks under sinks.
- AC — each unit cooling correctly, no rattles, drainage clear.
- Electrical — every socket, every switch, every light fitting.
- Tiles & finishes — chips, cracks, lippage, grout.
- Kitchen & bathroom appliances if included.
The defects liability period
Most developers in Dubai offer a one-year defects liability period from handover, covering non-cosmetic faults. Major structural issues are covered for longer (often 10 years) under UAE law.
You can do snagging yourself with a checklist, or hire a professional inspector for AED 600–1,500 depending on the unit size. For first-time owners, the professional report tends to pay for itself in caught defects.
Sources: standard developer SPAs, UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 on structural liability.
Related questions
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Almost every other step — tenancy, utilities, banking — depends on your Emirates ID being issued first.
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