Purchasing a property is a major life event. Before officially moving into a new house, accepting the property is one of the crucial steps. After all, once the property is accepted, all responsibilities within the flat will be borne by the homeowner. If problems with the flat are discovered only after officially moving in, they will no longer concern the developer, and the homeowner will have to deal with or repair these issues themselves. Therefore, preparing thoroughly before accepting the property and careful inspection of every corner of the flat during home acceptance can help homeowners protect their rights.
Prepare all the necessary tools before the inspection and know which details to check during the property acceptance. This preparation can help homeowners better examine the condition of the flat.
Before physically inspecting the purchased flat, homeowners should prepare the following items in the checklist that will be used during the inspection process for their potential new home:
Tool / Purpose
Inspection Form
An inspection form allows homeowners to easily record any defects or details that need improvement in the flat. Inspection forms can generally be obtained from the developer, or homeowners can download them online.
Flashlight
Flashlights are useful for illuminating hard-to-see areas such as dark corners or high places.
Tape Measure
Tape measures can be used to accurately measure the dimensions of furniture, flooring, and other parts of the flat.
Pipe Wrench
Pipe wrenches are used to check whether the plumbing has been properly installed after renovation and to ensure there is no leakage.
Screwdriver
Screwdrivers are used to check for loose screws, which can be tightened on the spot if any are found.
Other Tools (Level, Inclinometer, etc.)
Levels, inclinometers, and other such tools can be used to check for any horizontal or vertical issues with the flat's furniture and decor.
The following areas are the most prone to issues during renovations, so homeowners should carefully inspect these parts of the flat during the inspection. If there are any problems, they need to be addressed promptly:
● Floors, Walls, and Ceilings: Floors, walls, and ceilings can have various issues such as unevenness, cracks, bumps, or water seepage due to various reasons during installation or repair. If these problems are present, they not only make the flat look unattractive but can cause danger after the residents officially move in. Therefore, if discovered during the home inspection, they must be repaired as soon as possible.
● Doors and Windows: Try opening and closing the doors and windows during the inspection to test if they operate smoothly or if the hinges turn smoothly and are sealed completely when they are closed to prevent water seepage.
● Plumbing and Wiring: Inspect the plumbing and wiring during the inspection to ensure they operate normally and do not have any leakage or short circuits.
● Cabinets: Check if the floor cabinets, bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets, and other cabinet installations are normal, if there is any damage, or if the cabinet doors can be opened and closed normally.
After home inspection and repair work are completed, homeowners can arrange to complete the property acceptance procedure. Here are the general steps for property acceptance:
1. Contact the lawyer to arrange a detailed date and time for property acceptance. Before accepting the property, homeowners should confirm that all fees required for the property purchase have been fully paid.
2. On the day of property acceptance, bring all documents such as ID card, property acceptance notice, title deed, etc., and go to the location designated by the developer to complete the property acceptance procedure.
3. Accompanied by the developer, inspect the condition of the flat to see if it matches the defects recorded in the inspection report.
4. Finally, after confirming with the developer that there are no other issues with the flat, sign the property acceptance document to complete the entire acceptance procedure.
As a leading one-stop interior design and renovation service company in Hong Kong, inT Design's professional team is committed to creating comfortable and elegant living spaces, not only focusing on commercial projects. We have provided interior design and renovation services for many new buildings. If you are seeking consultations in interior design or want to design a style and design that best fits your needs for a new building, feel free to contact us. Let us help you create a unique and ideal home.