What is checked in a handover inspection?

A handover inspection compares the unit against the move-in inventory, room by room, walls and ceilings, flooring, doors and windows, built-in carpentry, fixtures and fittings, appliances, and cleanliness. Anything beyond fair wear and tear is flagged, photographed and either made good or noted as a deduction.

Who should attend the handover inspection?

Ideally the tenant (or their agent) and the landlord (or theirs) attend together, with the move-in inventory and photos to hand. A joint, documented inspection is the fastest way to settle the condition and release the deposit without dispute.

What are the most common handover defects?

Common defects flagged at handover include unpainted or colour-changed walls, nail holes and bracket marks, scratched or stained flooring, broken or missing fixtures, mould or water stains, and uncleaned kitchens, bathrooms and appliances.

Handover Guide

Defect & Handover Inspection: What to Check Before You Sign Off

By Mr Kobayashi, Operations Lead, REINSTATE.by MCSG · Updated 24 June 2026 · 6 min read

A handover inspection is a room-by-room comparison against the move-in inventory. Check walls, floors, doors, fixtures, appliances and cleanliness; flag and photograph anything beyond fair wear and tear; then either make it good or record it as an agreed deduction before the keys change hands.

The handover inspection is the moment a deposit is decided. Done casually, it invites disputes; done properly, against the inventory, with photos, it settles the unit in minutes. Here's exactly what to check, room by room.

Before you start

Bring the dated move-in inventory and photos.
Have both parties (or their agents) present.
Inspect in daylight; bring a torch for cabinets and corners.
Photograph anything contested on the spot.

Room-by-room checklist

Area	Check for
Walls & ceilings	Colour change, marks, cracks, nail/bracket holes, water stains, mould
Flooring	Scratches, stains, chips, loose or cracked tiles, parquet condition
Doors & windows	Operation, locks, handles, glass, seals, fly screens
Kitchen	Cabinets, countertop, sink, hob/hood, grease, cleanliness
Bathrooms	Sanitary ware, taps, grouting, mould, drainage, mirror
Built-ins	Wardrobes, shelving, feature walls, present & intact vs added
Fixtures & M&E	Lights, switches, power points, aircon working order & servicing
Appliances & furniture	Provided items present, working, and in inventory condition

Fair wear and tear vs defect

Not every mark is a deduction. Light fading, minor scuffs and a few small nail holes are usually fair wear and tear, the landlord's. Colour changes, large holes, burns, broken fixtures and uncleaned areas are tenant defects. The inventory is the referee.

How to close out the inspection

Agree the list of genuine defects against the inventory.
Decide make-good vs deduction for each, in writing.
Photograph the final state and have both parties sign off.
Confirm the deposit return amount and timeline in writing.

If you can't agree, a documented inspection is exactly what you'll need for a deposit dispute, see also the full end-of-tenancy checklist.

Want the unit to pass inspection first time?

Send us the unit and your handover date, we'll reinstate against the inventory and walk the inspection with you, so the only thing left to do at handover is sign off and get the deposit back.

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Reflects standard Singapore tenancy handover practice in 2026. Deduction decisions are judged against the tenancy agreement and the move-in condition; this is general information, not legal advice.

References & further reading

Authoritative Singapore sources for further reading. This guide is general information, not legal advice, confirm current rules with the relevant authority.