FT NEWS

Getting final possession of a new home is a milestone moment in one’s life, but before you take possession, it is essential to inspect the house thoroughly. There may be some major or minor defects (if any) which should be rectified by the developers within a stipulated period of time as per the sales agreement. Additionally, make it a point to check and obtain all the original documents and legal documents such as the sales deed, sales agreement, tax receipts, no-objection certificate and so on.

Wall paint

• All the walls and ceilings of the home should have at least two coats of acrylic emulsion paint from a reputed paint manufacturer, as specified by the builder in the sales agreement. Make sure that the paint has been applied neatly without any spillover of paint from the walls or the ceiling onto the flooring or other horizontal surfaces such as the doors, windows or walls.
• The walls should be smooth, without any visible damp patches on it. In case you notice the growth of mould or fungi on the walls, report it immediately.
• Also, check the painting quality of the balcony and window grilles.

Check for cracks

The walls and ceilings should be free from any deep or hairline cracks. Some cracks may have developed due to improper curing or bad workmanship on the walls or ceiling, or around electrical switch boards.

Switches and plugs

• Check the name of the manufacturer of the electrical switches and sockets. All the electrical fittings should be from a reputed brand.
• Ensure that all the sockets, plugs, light and fan points, and bulb holders are connected to the main electrical supply. The main fuse of the home should control the whole current supply.
• Test all the switches and electrical sockets and ensure that the electrical power reaches each point.
• The miniature circuit breaker (MCB) should be from a reputed brand.

Tile installation

Most of the newly constructed homes come with vitrified tiles for the flooring of the home. Porcelain or ceramic tiles are used for the walls and floors of the bathrooms and kitchen.

• Check whether the tiles are installed properly. This can be done by tapping the tiles, if you hear a hollow sound it indicates that the tile has detached from the base of the floor or wall, or from the tile adhesive. Get these tiles replaced and re-installed.
• Additionally, there should not be any colour variation among the tiles of a given space. In case of major colour variation, ask for replacement.

Laminated wooden floor

Some developers offer laminated wooden flooring in the bedrooms. There should be no warping or bending in the floor. This is usually caused due to the presence of moisture in the floor substrate, which might get absorbed by the laminated floor. The damaged planks should be replaced.

Sanitary fixtures and fittings

• The manufacturer of the sanitary fixtures should be the same or of an equivalent brand as promised at the time of booking.
• All the faucets of the bathrooms and kitchens should be free from any kind of leakage.
• The kitchen countertop should be properly sealed at the edges (between kitchen backsplash and countertop) with cement. Pour water on the countertop and see that water does not seep below into the cabinet area.
• The kitchen sink should be properly installed and sealed at its edges and sides so that water does not leak into the cabinetry below.
• Most kitchens come with piped gas facility. The pressure test and leakage test of the LPG pipeline should be conducted by third-party inspectors.

Check the drainage outlets

Waterlogging is a very common problem in newly constructed homes. Check all the drains in areas like the bathroom, kitchen, balcony and utility area. Water should not accumulate near the drain points.

This can be checked by pouring water into the bathroom, kitchen floor or terrace. The slope of the floor should allow the water to flow freely towards the drain.

Doors and windows:

• The hinged doors and windows should be of good quality. They should open and close properly without making any squeaking sound.
• All the doors and windows should have proper locking arrangements.
• The sliding doors and windows (if any) should slide smoothly while opening and closing.

 Get the full set of keys

• Check and obtain the complete set keys before you take the final handover of your home from the developer. Note that each door lock comes with a set of two or three keys.
• Check each lock with its keys to ensure that the locks are working properly.