Three inspections, three moments
Snagging, handover and DLP inspections are closely related, and the terms are often used loosely. They all document the condition of a property, but they happen at different points in the ownership journey and serve a different purpose. Choosing the right one matters: it decides what your report is used for and which rights or contract terms it supports.
What is a snagging inspection?
Snagging is the broad term for an independent, room-by-room inspection that documents defects, unfinished work and quality issues. It can be booked at almost any stage: before handover, shortly after moving in, or even before buying a resale property. The output is a photo-led report listing every finding with a location, photographs and a severity label.
Think of snagging as the umbrella activity — handover and DLP inspections are specific, timed applications of it.
What is a handover inspection?
A handover inspection is snagging performed at the most important moment: just before you formally accept a new property from the developer. Its purpose is to document the condition of the unit before acceptance, so defects are on record while the developer's handover process is still open.
Because timing matters, a handover inspection is usually scheduled around the developer's invitation or walkthrough. Findings documented at this stage are the hardest for any party to dispute later, which is why most buyers treat the pre-acceptance window as the single best moment to inspect.
What is a DLP (defect liability period) inspection?
After handover, most Dubai property contracts include a defect liability period — commonly twelve months — during which certain defects may be the developer's responsibility under the contract. A DLP inspection is carried out during this window, typically towards the end of it, to document visible and accessible issues while they can still be submitted under the applicable warranty terms.
A DLP inspection is not a re-run of the original snagging list. It captures what is visible at that later date: settlement cracks, sealant failure, AC performance issues, leaks and other defects that only appear after months of occupancy. Coverage and rectification always remain subject to your contract — the report gives you the evidence; the contract decides the outcome.
Which inspection do you need?
Match the inspection to your moment in the journey:
- About to accept a new property? Book a pre-handover inspection — findings are documented before you sign acceptance.
- Accepted recently and still inside your defect liability period? Book a DLP inspection before the window closes.
- Buying a resale apartment or villa? Book a resale (pre-purchase) inspection to understand condition before you commit.
- Already reported defects and had them 'fixed'? A reinspection visually reviews the apparent status of previously reported items.
One report standard across all three
Whichever inspection you book, the reporting standard is the same: a photo-led report, delivered within 8 hours after the inspection is completed, with severity labels that help you and the responsible party prioritise. All three inspections are visual and non-destructive, within the scope confirmed in your accepted quotation.
