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