Quick answer: After collecting condo keys, document defects first, confirm the defect-reporting procedure, activate utilities, learn renovation rules, measure the unit and only then finalise renovation, furniture and appliance purchases.
There’s a strange stillness the moment you unlock your own front door for the first time — right before the boxes, the furniture, the noise of actually living there. That quiet window, right at handover, is also the most valuable moment you’ll have to catch problems before they become your problems.
What you should actually do first depends a bit on whether this is a brand-new unit from a developer or a resale purchase. New developer units usually come with a defects liability period, where the developer is responsible for fixing issues you report within that window. Resale units generally don’t carry that protection — what you see really is what you get, which is exactly why inspecting before or immediately after handover matters so much more.
The first few things to do
Inspect for defects, thoroughly. Walls, ceilings, flooring, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical points — check all of it. For new units, this typically happens during the vacant possession (VP) handover, and defects should be reported in writing within the applicable defects liability period. The exact duration and how it applies to your specific purchase should be confirmed against your Sale and Purchase Agreement and current regulations, since terms can vary.
Document everything, including the parts that look fine. Photos and videos of every area create a record of the unit’s condition at handover — useful protection if a dispute comes up later, whether with a developer or a seller.
Get utilities transferred into your name, or set up if this is a new unit. Delays here can leave you without service right after moving in.
Register with the management office. For strata properties, this is where you register with the JMB or MC, arrange lift booking for moving furniture, and find out the house rules.
Check basic security and safety. Test locks, intercom or access systems, and smoke detectors. Know your fire escape route and any building-specific procedures.
Understand the renovation approval process before you touch anything. Many strata properties require submitting renovation plans, paying a deposit, and following specific working hours or contractor requirements — worth knowing before you start planning, not after.
A proper clean and pest check, especially for resale units or ones that sat vacant before handover.
Confirm your insurance. What’s already covered through your home loan, and does additional content or householder insurance make sense for you?
Roughly in this order
| Order | Task | Why It Matters |
| 1 | Defect inspection and documentation | Protects your rights, especially within a defects liability period |
| 2 | Utility transfer | Avoids service interruption after move-in |
| 3 | Management office registration | Needed for building access, lift booking, and house rules |
| 4 | Security/safety check | Basic protection from day one |
| 5 | Renovation approval process | Avoids penalties or disputes with building management |
| 6 | Cleaning/pest check | Prepares the unit before furnishing |
| 7 | Insurance confirmation | Protects against loss going forward |
Worth asking early
- What’s the exact defects liability period for my purchase, and how do I submit a defect report?
- Who do I contact to report defects — the developer directly, or a specific claims process?
- What’s the process and deposit for renovation approval through the JMB/MC?
- Are there specific working hours or contractor requirements for renovation in this building?
- What’s already covered by insurance through my home loan, if applicable?
Easy to get wrong
Not documenting defects immediately at handover is the big one — delayed reporting makes it harder to prove a defect existed from the start. Starting renovation before checking the management body’s approval process can lead to fines or forced stoppages. It’s also easy to assume a resale unit comes with the same protections as a new developer unit — sub-sale purchases generally don’t include a defects liability period. Delaying utility transfer can leave you without power or water right after moving in. And a basic security check is worth doing even for units that seem fine, especially resale properties with unknown history on locks and access.
What comes after the essentials
Once defect inspection, utility transfer, and management registration are handled, most homeowners move into furnishing and appliance decisions — covered under Furniture, Electrical Appliances, Kitchen & Cabinet, and Interior Design at a MYHOME exhibition. For renovation work specifically, the Renovation category makes it possible to compare several contractors once you know the building’s approval process and any contractor requirements.
Quick questions people ask
What is a defects liability period? A period after handover during which a developer is responsible for fixing defects in a new unit, typically reported in writing by the buyer. The exact duration and process vary and should be confirmed against your specific SPA and current regulations.
Do resale units come with a defects liability period? Generally no — this protection is typically tied to new units bought directly from a licensed developer under standard housing contracts, not resale purchases. Always confirm the specific terms of your purchase.
What should I check first when I get my keys? A full defect inspection with photo and video documentation, then utility transfer and management office registration.
Can I start renovating right after getting my keys? Not necessarily — many strata properties require approval from the JMB or MC before renovation work begins.
Do I need to register with the management office even if I’m not renovating yet? Yes — it’s generally needed for building access and lift booking regardless of renovation plans.
