VEFA Handover: The Complete Snagging List Checklist (Alpes-Maritimes & Var)

{“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “I’m taking handover of my off-plan (VEFA) property next week and I can see defects: what should I do?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Do NOT sign the handover report without listing snags. Record every defect in writing, with photographs. If a defect is visible, it must appear in your snagging list. A building expert can attend the handover with you to spot what you might miss.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “The developer refuses to fix the listed snags: what timeframe do I have?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “The developer has a deadline set out in the contract (usually 12 months) to remedy the listed snags. If they fail to do so, you can take the matter to court and request a court-ordered expert assessment. Keep all written evidence.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can I withhold part of the payment if the work is poorly done?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. As long as the work does not comply, you can place the balance in escrow or withhold it. Never pay the full balance if defects exist – payment in full implies acceptance.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can a building expert attend the VEFA handover with me?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. An expert attending the handover with you identifies defects you would otherwise miss, measures them precisely (crack gauge, laser level, moisture meter) and drafts a snagging list that is legally binding on the developer. This is the best moment to document everything.”}}]}

Buying off-plan (VEFA – Vente en l’État Futur d’Achèvement) means buying from blueprints. Handover is the legal act by which the buyer accepts the completed property, with or without listed snags. It marks the starting point of the statutory warranties. Getting it right is essential to protecting your investment in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, where new-build developments are plentiful.

Reservation contractNotarial deedSite monitoringHandoverWarrantiesDeposit paidWork startsSite visitsSnagging list1/2/10-year warranties Reservation contractNotarial deedSite monitoringHandoverWarrantiesDeposit paidWork startsSite visitsSnagging list1/2/10-year warranties

The key moment: the handover walkthrough

Handover can be tacit, contradictory (in-person), or ordered by a court. The most common is the contradictory handover: a walkthrough with the developer present, followed by the handing over of the keys and the signing of a handover report. Never sign without having methodically inspected the property. You can be assisted by a professional (architect or building expert): the cost is modest compared to what’s at stake.

Room-by-room inspection checklist

• Joinery: opening/closing, weatherproofing, scratches, seals, handles.
• Finishes: tiling (hollow sound, cracks, chips), flooring, paintwork (marks, patch repairs).
• Plumbing: water flow, drainage, no leaks, mechanical ventilation (VMC) operation.
• Electrics: sockets, switches, circuit breaker, compliance with the plans.
• Cracks: walls, ceilings, corners, thresholds.
• Plans and compliance: floor areas, partition placement, fittings as specified.
• Exterior (houses): façade, roof, gutters, terraces, water drainage.
• Communal areas (apartment buildings): lobbies, cellars, car parks, technical rooms.

Wording your snagging list within the deadlines

At handover, you record your snags in writing on the handover report. Visible defects at delivery must be listed immediately. For hidden defects or unlisted snags discovered later, you have a set timeframe:

• One-year completion warranty (garantie de parfait achèvement): any defect reported in writing within the year following handover must be repaired, even if it wasn’t listed on the handover report.
• Biennial warranty (garantie biennale / proper functioning): detachable equipment (boiler, roller shutters, doors).
• Ten-year structural warranty (décennale): defects affecting structural soundness or making the property unfit for its intended use.

The building expert’s role in a VEFA purchase

A building expert assists you before and during handover. They check compliance with the plans and contract, detect construction defects an untrained eye would miss, and help you draft a precise, legally binding snagging list. In the event of a dispute with the developer (delay, non-compliance, refusal to remedy listed snags), their technical report forms the basis for a formal notice and, if needed, legal action. For an investment of several hundred thousand euros, this assistance is essential peace of mind.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Signing the handover report “with no snags” under pressure from the developer.
• Overlooking non-visible defects (damp, ventilation, energy performance).
• Failing to notify defects discovered after handover by registered letter.
• Confusing the two-year warranty with the ten-year structural warranty.

Learn more

• Ten-year warranty and dommages-ouvrage (DO) insurance: how compensation works when defects occur
• VEFA: step-by-step site monitoring to secure your off-plan purchase
• VEFA: delivery delays, penalties and recourse against the developer

📅 Updated on 02/08/2026 – By Cassini Expertise, independent building expert covering the Alpes-Maritimes & Var. Free quote: 04 22 46 06 04.

Frequently asked questions

What snags should I list at VEFA handover?

At VEFA handover, you must list any visible defect, such as cracks, waterproofing issues, obvious construction faults, or non-compliant fittings. It’s essential to record them in writing on the handover report, with supporting photographs, so they can be corrected under the one-year completion warranty.

How does the handover of a VEFA property work?

VEFA handover takes place when the keys are handed over, generally once the work is complete. You walk through the property with the developer or their representative, note every snag on the handover report, then sign the document. This step marks the transfer of ownership and the start of the statutory warranties.

What is the deadline for listing snags after VEFA handover?

Visible defects must be listed at the time of handover, otherwise they are deemed accepted. For non-visible defects, you have one year after handover to report them under the one-year completion warranty. After that, you can still take action under the two-year or ten-year warranty, depending on the nature of the defect.

See also our structural diagnosis in the Alpes-Maritimes and our building expert Alpes-Maritimes page.

See also: Developer Ignoring Snagging Items in Nice: What to Do in 2025?

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”ProfessionalService”,”name”:”Cassini Expertise – Independent Building Expert”,”telephone”:”+33422460604″,”email”:”contact@cassini-expertise.fr”,”address”:{“@type”:”PostalAddress”,”streetAddress”:”22 rue Vauban”,”addressLocality”:”Antibes”,”postalCode”:”06600″,”addressCountry”:”FR”},”areaServed”:[“Alpes-Maritimes”,”Var”,”Bouches-du-Rhône”],”description”:”Independent building expert: damp, drought-related clay shrinkage (RGA), cracks, off-plan (VEFA) defects, workmanship defects, odours, structural diagnosis. Detailed written report, no works sold, works alongside lawyers.”}

Survey carried out by Frédéric Faucouneau, independent building expert – Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes (06), Var (83), Bouches-du-Rhône (13). Find out more

📅 Last updated 06/11/2026 - Cassini Expertise, independent building expert – departments 06, 83 and 13.