Apartment handover in Hurghada: inspection checklist before acceptance
Walk through the exact unit with a prepared checklist, photograph defects and record them in writing before you confirm acceptance.
Quick answer
Do not treat handover as a quick visual tour. The goal is to compare the actual apartment with what was represented for layout, finishing and included equipment.
This guide covers a physical inspection. It does not replace legal advice and does not explain court, complaint or statutory-warranty procedures.
What to bring
Prepare the basics so one person can inspect while another records where possible.
Photos and notes
A charged phone/camera, notes and ideally a second person.
Simple tools
Measuring tape, flashlight and charger or socket tester only if you can use it safely.
Reference material
Your list of included items and the unit plan if available.
Drainage check
A bottle of water only where water is connected and the test is safe.
1. Confirm you are inspecting the correct unit
Check building, floor and unit number or identifier. Compare the room count, balcony position, windows and main walls with the plan you used when choosing the property.
If the physical layout differs, record the difference and request an explanation before completing handover.
2. Walls, ceilings and floors
Inspect in daylight and with interior lights on. Look for cracks, damp marks, signs of leaks, uneven surfaces, damaged paint or plaster, chipped tiles, loose elements, unfinished joints and sealant.
Pay extra attention to corners, window areas, bathrooms and ceilings below possible wet areas above.
3. Doors and windows
Open and close every door and window several times. Check smooth closing, locks, handles, gaps, seals, glass, frame fixing, visible misalignment, balcony doors and insect screens where promised.
A window that looks new but does not seal or close properly is a real defect, not a cosmetic issue.
4. Plumbing, water and drainage
If water is connected, run every tap, check practical pressure, look under sinks, run water through basins and showers, test the toilet and cistern, and look for drips, dampness and sewer smell.
For showers and balconies, confirm that water slopes toward the drain instead of into the room. If water is not connected, mark the item NOT TESTED, not OK.
A disconnected system cannot be marked as working. Record a separate status and arrange a later check.
5. Electrical points
Check accessible switches, sockets, ceiling/light points, the electrical panel visually, AC connection points and internet/TV points where included.
Do not dismantle electrical equipment or perform unsafe tests. Use a qualified technician where necessary.
6. Air conditioning and AC preparation
In Hurghada, air conditioning is often important to practical use. Clarify whether the offer included installed AC units, only piping/electrical preparation, or nothing.
If units are included, verify count, models where relevant, operation and obvious condensate leakage.
7. Balcony, terrace, garden or roof access
If the property was chosen partly for balcony, garden or roof/terrace use, inspect dimensions and access, railing, tiles, drainage, doors, actual view and unexpected technical equipment blocking usable space.
Physical access alone does not prove a legal right to a garden or roof area. That requires separate document review.
8. Kitchen, furniture and appliances
If kitchen units, furniture or appliances are included, use an inventory list. Check cabinet doors, drawers, worktops, wall fixing and visible appliance connections.
Mark each item PRESENT, MISSING, DAMAGED or NOT TESTED.
9. Meters and utilities
Clarify the actual status of electricity, water, gas where applicable, internet/telecom and individual meters. Record meter identifiers and starting readings where possible and relevant to the unit.
Do not assume “utilities ready” automatically means individual contracts are complete or no future setup cost remains.
10. Common areas and compound facilities
Compare the entrance/reception, lift, corridors, pool, parking, beach access, security, lighting and building access with what was represented in the offer.
Use three clear statuses: OPERATING NOW, UNDER CONSTRUCTION and PLANNED / NOT VERIFIED. This prevents future facilities being mistaken for facilities that already operate.
11. Create a written snag list
Use precise descriptions rather than “bad finish”. For example: “12 cm crack above bedroom door”.
Number every defect and connect it to a location and photo.
| # | Location | Problem | Photo | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedroom window | Handle does not close | IMG_001 | OPEN |
| 2 | Bathroom | Water pools beside shower | IMG_014 | OPEN |
12. Do not confuse “checked” with “could not be checked”
If water or electricity is unavailable on handover day, those systems have not been tested. Use separate statuses: OK, DEFECT, NOT TESTED, NOT APPLICABLE and FIXED / RECHECKED.
13. Reinspection
Keep the original snag list and photos when defects are promised for repair. At the return visit, recheck each numbered item instead of starting a new list.
A cosmetic repair can hide an underlying issue, so after a leak repair check for returning dampness rather than only fresh paint.
Red flags
Slow down before confirming handover when the inspection cannot be completed and recorded calmly.
No time to inspect
You are not given enough time to inspect the exact unit.
Systems disconnected
Major systems are unavailable but you are asked to mark them as fine.
Defects stay verbal
A written list is refused while everything is promised for later.
Result differs
Finishing, included items or facilities represented as complete materially differ.
Browse on Nabiora
Compare factual attributes in current offers and retain the seller or original-source contact for each listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire a professional snagging inspector?
This checklist is useful for a basic visual review. For electrical systems, structural concerns, complex MEP issues or serious defects, a qualified specialist can add value.
Can I accept a unit if water or electricity is not connected?
This guide does not provide legal advice. From a physical-inspection standpoint, an unavailable system cannot be marked as tested. Record it as NOT TESTED and arrange a later check.
What should I photograph?
Take a close-up of every defect plus a wider photo showing where it is. A full walkthrough video on inspection day is also useful.
Should common areas be inspected too?
Yes, where they were material to the property offer. Separate facilities already operating from those still under construction or only planned.
Explore Hurghada Properties
Sources & Editorial Method
Current Marketplace listings and related practical checks
Current listings show stated layouts, inclusions, amenities and offer sources.
Related checklist for readiness, inclusions, payments and the condition of a specific unit.