Snagging & Inspection
A documented defect list before you accept handover — the last moment at which faults are unambiguously the developer’s responsibility.
Who we are
Since 2018
Operating in Dubai
120+ Awards
From UAE developers
RERA registered
Licensed brokerage
The warranty periods you already have
Under Article 40 of Law No. (6) of 2019, developers are liable for structural defects for ten years and for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishing defects for one year, both running from the completion certificate date.
That one-year window is why snagging matters. MEP and finishing defects are exactly what a good inspection catches, and exactly what becomes your problem twelve months after handover. Structural cover runs a decade; the rest does not.
Snagging is not a legal requirement — no regulation obliges you to do it. It is simply the last point at which you hold real leverage, because once you sign for handover you are negotiating from a weaker position.
What a proper inspection covers
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Every socket and switch tested, AC output measured at each vent, water pressure and drainage on every outlet, and no leaks under sinks or at the water heater.
Water ingress
Balcony and wet-area falls, sealant integrity, and evidence of prior damp.
Joinery and finishes
Doors and windows operating correctly, alignment, wardrobe and kitchen fittings, tiling and grout, paint coverage.
Glazing and façade
Seals, scratches and opening mechanisms.
Measured area
Checked against the sales agreement, which occasionally differs.
Documented properly
Photographed and referenced room by room, in a format a developer will act on rather than argue with.
Taking handover soon?
Tell us the project and handover date and we will arrange an inspection before you sign — and tell you honestly if your developer’s track record makes it unnecessary.
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How it works
Step 1
Completion notice
Book the inspection after the notice is issued and before you sign handover. That ordering is the entire point.
Step 2
Inspect and document
Full defect list, photographed and referenced room by room.
Step 3
Rectify and re-check
Developer rectification round, then a re-inspection before you accept. Allow two to four weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Is snagging mandatory in Dubai?
No. No regulation requires it. It is optional, and it is the last point at which defects are unambiguously the developer’s responsibility.
How long is a new property under warranty?
Ten years for structural defects and one year for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishing, from the completion certificate date.
Can I snag after taking handover?
Yes, and it is worth doing within the first year while MEP and finishing cover is live. But you have less leverage and disputes become harder to settle.
Does the developer have to fix everything?
They must rectify genuine defects within their liability. Wear from normal use, or damage caused after handover, is not covered.
Sources
Developer liability is set by Article 40 of Law No. (6) of 2019, administered by the Dubai Land Department.
