First-time condo unit owners may be unaware of the need to inspect for defects before officially moving into their new home. However, it is extremely necessary as these defects may end up totalling up to a large sum of maintenance and construction expenses.

By checking your flat for any defects, you can raise any issues to the developer and request that they do the required repairs, so your brand new home is in tip-top condition. Similarly, the cost of your condo unit matters as well. For example, there is the River Valley Condo price you can check out and see if it fits within your budget and living requirements.

That said, what is there to check and look out for? If you’re not sure of which parts of your apartment to inspect – take a look at this checklist we’ve prepared for defects inspection in your condominium.

Main areas to check

No matter how small the defect may be, it is still an issue that can raise problems in the future; which is why you need to do the inspection thoroughly.

If possible, hire a professional inspector to check everything for you since he or she has the right experience. Certain defects and flaws are subtle, and you cannot see them easily unless you are a professional. Some of the main areas to start when inspecting include the following:

1. Walls

Here, you must make sure that there are no cracks or visible patches. Any blistering should be taken care of immediately – as it may pose a threat to the occupants in due course of time.

You should also check on the presence of any stains on the walls. Watermarks should not be visible on the wall – especially in areas where doors and windows exist. You will equally need to check the evenness of the painting – any slight deviation affects the beauty of the apartment.

2. Doors

The first thing to confirm is the security system of the door – it should function perfectly. There should be no gap seen between the door and the frame. You also need to check for any cracks, dents and nail holes.

3. Electrical and mechanical fittings

These are important parts inside the apartment. They should not be loose in any way and should not have any exposed wirings.

The switches should not have any gaps on the wall. In addition, there’s a need to ensure that all the fittings fall in the right alignment.

4. Windows

You should make sure that all the windows are clear and have no sign of visible damages. There should be no paint stains, nor cement residues or plaster left over.

Likewise, check for any cracks, dents or scratches on the frame and glass. Get the developer to take a look and make arrangements if damages are severe. Finally, you shouldn’t have a hard time using the windows; they should open and close easily.

5. Ceiling

Check for any water seepage in the ceiling – this issue needs to be rectified at once before the construction of false ceilings beneath the bare ceiling. Also, ensure there aren’t any stains, cracks, and patches.

6. Floors

Defects like hollow floor tiles have to be resolved before you decide to make any wardrobes, shelves, and cabinets installation on the floor. Also, scan for any inconsistent joints between your tiles, chips, marks, cracks, or even stains on the floor.

The process for rectifying these defects

Once you spot any defects – take pictures and present them to the developer. You can equally report the defects directly to the Building Services Centre (BSC). Reporting to the nearest HDB branch is also another option on the table.

Kindly note that your claim will only be valid throughout the defects liability period (DLP), which starts from the 15th day once you have gotten the notice of Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) or within the span of 12 months from the date of key collection. When you report after this period, the developer has no obligation to carry out repairs. The procedure for rectifying these errors includes:

• Writing a notice with the defects specified clearly.
• Request an inspection where both parties will be present – the developer and you.
• Give the developer time to carry out the rectifications and repairs.

All in all, this comprehensive checklist covers the different parts of your condo unit you should check before you officially start decorating your home. On the other hand, if you have not yet decided on a condo – give the Starlight Suites a look. It offers a variety of condo unit options; starting with the cosy 1-Bedroom unit up to the spacious and lavish 4-Bedroom unit.