The handover record is where buyer and seller describe the home when the keys are handed over. Include visible damage, missing items and agreements about further work. This gives you a record of what you agreed.
Prepare for the inspection
Bring the purchase contract, sales prospectus, condition report and written agreements about fixtures or repairs. Prepare a short list of points to check and allow enough time to inspect the home in daylight.
New homes often use standard forms and a more formal handover procedure. For an existing home, the estate agent may provide a digital record. The purpose is the same: observations and agreements should be capable of verification later.
What to record
Record the date and time, who attended, the number of keys and readings for electricity and, where relevant, water. Confirm that agreed fixtures are present, the home has been cleared as agreed and any work promised before handover has been completed.
Describe discrepancies by location and extent. “Damage to floor” is less useful than “three parallel scratches, approximately 30 cm long, in front of the balcony door in the living room”. Take both overview and close photographs and retain the original files.
If you disagree about a problem
Write down what you can see, where the problem is and what you disagree about. Include who will follow up. A professional can investigate damage, and a legal adviser can help with questions about responsibility if needed.
Do not sign wording that you do not understand. If further investigation is needed, record that the matter remains unresolved and state how it will be followed up.
After handover
Send or download a complete copy of the record on the same day. Store it with the photographs, agreement and correspondence. If you later discover a possible discrepancy, record the time and condition before starting work that could remove evidence, unless urgent measures are needed to limit active damage.
Keeping the record and photographs together makes it easier to follow up outstanding work.
For a practical walkthrough, see the property handover checklist.
What to check
- Bring the agreement, sales prospectus, condition report and records of agreed repairs.
- Record meter readings, all keys and which fixtures or items are included with the home.
- Describe visible discrepancies precisely and take overview and detail photographs.
- Agree further handling in writing without treating unresolved rights as settled.