Snagging

Snagging is the detailed inspection of a newly completed property to identify defects — 'snags' — before or shortly after handover from the developer. Typical snags range from cosmetic issues like poor paintwork and misaligned doors to serious problems with waterproofing, electrical wiring, or air conditioning. In UAE practice, buyers commission an independent snagging company to inspect the unit and produce a report, which is then submitted to the developer for rectification within the defect liability period. Snagging matters because handover is a pressure point: once you accept keys and sign handover documents, proving that defects existed at delivery becomes harder, and rectification leverage drops. A professional snagging report creates a documented, timestamped record that supports later claims — including, if the developer refuses to fix genuine defects, a complaint to the regulator or a civil claim. Most buyers meet snagging at first handover and again at the end of the first year.