Taking handover in a brand-new community like Damac South — what should you check first?

The key mindset shift for a brand-new community: your first maintenance priority isn't wear-and-tear, it's snagging the handover and catching first-year teething faults while they're still the developer's to fix — the leverage window closes once you've signed off and the warranty period runs down.

Check first, at handover — test everything, don't just look: - Water & drainage: run every tap, flush every toilet, check pressure and hot water, and watch that showers and floor drains actually *drain* (falls to the drain) — new-build wet-area falls and waterproofing are a classic miss. - Electrics: test every socket and light, check the distribution board is labelled and the RCD trips on test. - AC: run every unit, check it cools and that the condensate drains (no dripping) — new AC installs often have a drain not run to fall. - Doors/windows/finishes: every door square and sealing, tile lippage, paint, and any gaps.

First-year teething faults in new homes here: hairline settlement cracks (normal, but log them), the odd AC condensate or minor plumbing leak from a rushed first-fix, sealant shrinkage, and door/handle adjustments as things settle.

Developer's vs yours: defects and non-completion caught at handover, plus faults within the warranty/defects-liability period, are the developer's — which is why a proper snagging inspection before you sign is worth it. After that, normal upkeep is yours. A local team that knows the Damac South handovers can help close out anything the developer leaves. Early residents — what teething issues actually showed up for you?

Took handover of a new build and the snagging was the single best money I spent — the report caught first-fit stuff we'd never have found (an AC not draining properly, two dead sockets, a shower with no fall). All fixed by the developer because it was documented before we signed. My one regret: I didn't re-check a few items got *actually* fixed before releasing the last payment. Snag, get the fixes done, re-inspect, *then* sign. Don't let the excitement rush you past the leverage window.

New-community early resident here — one to expect that surprises people: in the first year the landscaping and community infrastructure are often still going in around you, so there's dust and disruption even after you move in (same thing the JVC folks deal with). Keep the AC filters clean through that phase. And log every settlement crack with a dated photo; most are cosmetic and normal, but the record matters if one turns out not to be. Enjoy the new place — just snag it hard first.