A building can appear ready while important technical records or unresolved defects remain outstanding. Handover involves more than receiving keys or signing a short checklist. Buyers and project owners should understand what each document confirms, which inspection has occurred, and what remains to be completed or repaired under the relevant agreements.

Identify the purpose of each document

Distinguish project completion acceptance, delivery to a purchaser, transfer of possession, and property registration. These are not interchangeable events. China’s construction-quality rules address completion acceptance and prohibit unauthorized delivery for use in specified circumstances. Ask the relevant legal and technical advisers which documents are required for this project and what the proposed handover document would acknowledge.

Inspect against the agreed specification

Use the contract, approved drawings, specifications, and agreed variations to organize the inspection. Record the location and nature of each concern with dated photographs and descriptions. Qualified technical assistance may be needed for structural, waterproofing, electrical, or other specialist issues. A visual inspection is useful but should not be presented as proof that every concealed part of the building complies.

Create a workable defects schedule

Give each item a number and identify the responsible contact, proposed repair, target date, and later verification. Distinguish cosmetic concerns from issues that may affect safe use. Preserve the original record when an item changes status. Ask counsel how to document unresolved matters when signing or responding to delivery papers; accepting or refusing handover can have consequences that depend on the circumstances.

Keep warranty terms and legal periods distinct

The construction-quality regulations provide minimum warranty periods for specified categories of work, with different treatment for different systems. Do not assume one period applies to every defect. Obtain the warranty documents and ask how the relevant start date, coverage, responsible party, and notification process apply. A contractor’s warranty and a buyer’s rights against a developer may require separate analysis.

Respond to later problems with evidence

If a defect appears after occupation, record when it was discovered, how it affects use, and any notice or response. Preserve repair reports, expenses, and relevant communications. Urgent safety concerns require appropriate qualified assistance; do not postpone necessary protection merely to keep evidence untouched. Where feasible, document the condition before repairs and ask counsel how to preserve a reliable record without increasing the damage.

Your working file

What to prepare

  • Identify the acceptance and delivery documents being requested.
  • Inspect against the specification with suitable technical support.
  • Maintain an itemized defect and repair record.
  • Retain warranties, notices, and evidence of later problems.

Reference point: Regulations on Quality Management of Construction Projects, completion acceptance and quality-warranty provisions. General information reviewed September 30, 2026.