A Practical Handover Guide for Homebuyers
Handover is often treated as the final step in buying a home.
For most buyers, it is where real ownership begins.
This stage marks a shift from planning to living, and that shift is not always clearly explained. Responsibilities change, systems are used daily for the first time, and expectations need alignment.
This clarity becomes especially important when shortlisting properties in Chennai, where projects may be at different stages of completion.
Many buyers reach this stage with assumptions formed much earlier in the journey, often influenced by common home buying myths that go unquestioned.
Read more about Home Buying Myths Busted: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
When buyers hear ready for handover, it usually sounds like everything is in place and final.
In reality, it means the home is ready to be taken over and lived in.
At this stage:
What it does not mean is that the home will never need small adjustments. Once doors are used daily, water runs regularly, and electrical points are tested in real conditions, minor finishing corrections may surface. This is a normal part of moving into a newly completed home.
Many of these expectations are already defined in the sale and construction agreement, even though buyers often revisit them only at handover.
Being clear about this difference helps buyers approach handover with the right expectations, confident but attentive.
Questions to ask at this stage
Understanding this upfront allows buyers to focus on what truly matters during handover, without unnecessary anxiety.
A handover inspection does not require technical expertise.
It simply needs a systematic walkthrough of the home as it will be used every day.
This step is especially important for first-time homebuyers in Chennai, who may not yet know what to prioritise during inspections.
Open and close every door and window to check for smooth movement, proper locking, and alignment. Notice how they operate, not just how they look. Balcony doors and railings deserve extra attention, as they are exposed to regular use and weather conditions.
Turn on every switch, including those in balconies, utility areas, and lesser-used corners. Check that sockets are firm and positioned as expected. It is also useful to confirm whether earthing and load testing have been completed.
Run water in all bathrooms, kitchen sinks, and utility points for a few minutes. Observe water pressure and how efficiently water drains. Check below sinks and behind toilets for any visible signs of leakage.
Inspect walls in natural daylight, especially near corners, edges, and ceiling joints, where finishing gaps are more noticeable. Check tile alignment and grouting carefully, particularly in bathrooms and balconies.
Check counter height, finish, and slope. Confirm that water inlets, drainage points, and electrical provisions align with the agreed layout and planned appliance usage.
This inspection is not about fault-finding.
It is about understanding how the home performs before it becomes part of daily life.
A snag list is a simple way to note small finishing items that are easier to address before regular living begins. It helps capture observations during handover, when the home is being experienced in full for the first time.
It is not a list of complaints. It is a practical tool to ensure finishing-level details are addressed in an organised manner.
Finishing-related items such as:
Items that fall outside finishing scope, including:
Clear answers at this stage help avoid repeated follow-ups and make the move-in process smoother.
Handover does not mean responsibilities shift instantly. Some aspects remain with the builder for a defined period, while others move gradually to the residents’ association.
This distinction becomes especially relevant in gated communities in Chennai, where shared services and maintenance are managed collectively. Buyer rights, defect liability periods, and handover obligations are also governed under Tamil Nadu RERA guidelines.
Knowing this difference early prevents confusion later.
Clarity here ensures issues are addressed by the right team at the right time.
Utilities are usually active at the time of handover. However, how they function settles only after regular occupancy begins and daily usage patterns are established.
During the initial weeks, buyers may notice a few adjustments as the building moves from completion to full use. These are part of the transition, not indicators of a problem.
Common observations during this phase include:
Understanding this upfront helps buyers distinguish between normal settling behaviour and issues that require attention.
Handover is not just about receiving the keys.
It is also about collecting documents that continue to matter long after you move in.
Beyond the sale deed, buyers are typically provided with a set of approvals, plans, and handover records. These may not feel urgent on handover day, but they become important during resale, rentals, bank-related queries, renovations, and association formation.
Key documents to collect include:
Keeping these organised from the start saves time later and avoids unnecessary follow-ups.
Every new home goes through a short settling phase once daily living begins. Doors are used regularly, water flows consistently, and electrical points are tested in real conditions. Small adjustments during this period are expected.
During the first few months, it helps to know what falls within normal settling behaviour and what requires attention.
Understanding this difference helps buyers raise the right concerns early, address genuine issues promptly, and avoid unnecessary worry during the settling phase.
A home is not truly delivered on handover day.
It is delivered in the weeks and months that follow, when daily living begins and systems settle into regular use.
Most handover-related issues do not stem from construction quality. They arise from unclear expectations. When buyers understand what “ready” means, what to inspect, what qualifies as a snag, and what to expect after possession, ownership feels calmer, more predictable, and easier to manage.
At DRA Homes, handover is approached as a guided transition rather than a one-day event. Because a home should not only be well built, but also well explained, so living in it feels right from the very beginning.
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