Handover day is the last day you are in a strong position. Once you sign that you have accepted the apartment, every problem turns into a polite request instead of a contractual obligation.
Bring the contract with you
Check point by point what was promised: the type of windows, the floors, the heating system, the bathroom fittings. If something has been replaced with something else, this is the moment to raise it, not a month later.
Water and drainage
Open every tap and let it run. Check the flow and the drainage. Flush the toilet several times. Check under the sinks for damp.
Electrics
Test every socket and every switch. Take a phone charger with you — it is the quickest way. Check the fuse box and ask which fuse covers what.
Doors and windows
Open and close them all fully. They should move easily and close without force. Check the seals around the frames and see if there is a draught. A window that does not close properly means cold and noise for years.
Surfaces
Look at the walls in side light — that is how unevenness shows. Check the tiles for cracks and the grout for gaps. Walk on the wooden floor and listen for creaks.
Heating
If possible, ask for the system to be switched on even in summer. Check that every radiator heats up and that the thermostat works.
Common areas
Check the lift, the stairwell lighting, the entrance and the parking space assigned to you. Ask who handles maintenance and how it is paid for.
Write everything down
Make a written list of every remark and ask for it to be attached to the handover report, with a deadline for fixing. Photograph every problem with the date. Sign only once the list has been accepted.
This is not mistrust — it is normal practice, and a serious investor expects you to do it.