Resale Property Inspection in Dubai

This service is for buyers of existing homes on the secondary market in Dubai, whether the property is vacant, owner-occupied or tenanted. It suits you if:

• you have agreed terms in principle and want a condition picture before completing;
• the property has been lived in, and you want to understand wear, past repairs and any visible concerns;
• you are buying to let and want to anticipate work needed before a new tenancy;
• you are buying from abroad and need a documented view of a home you cannot easily visit.

Snagging a new home compares delivery against what a finished property should look like at handover. A resale inspection looks at a home that has been used. Some marks and wear are normal for a property's age. The report aims to separate ordinary wear from items that may need attention, repair or a closer look by a specialist, without guessing at causes that cannot be seen.

Timing matters more than for new homes, because the inspection needs to happen while there is still room to act on it. Consider booking:

• after an offer is agreed, and before any deadline for completing the purchase;
• with enough time to read the report and ask the seller follow-up questions;
• at a time when the occupier can give access to every room.

Talk to your agent or conveyancing adviser about how an inspection fits into your purchase timetable.

The scope is written into your quote and adapted to the property type. Where present and accessible, it typically covers:

• Finishes: walls, ceilings and floors, with attention to cracking, staining, lifting tiles and visible patch repairs.
• Water and drainage: taps, showers and drains in use; visible signs of past or current moisture near wet areas, windows and ceilings.
• Electrical fittings: visible sockets, switches and light fittings, noting damage, scorching marks or loose fittings at user level.
• Cooling and ventilation: air-conditioning operation and airflow in each room; condition of visible grilles and extract fans.
• Openings and joinery: doors, windows, locks, seals, wardrobes and kitchen units, including wear to hinges and runners.
• External areas: balconies, terraces and gardens belonging to the property, where included.

• valuation, title checks, service charge or legal due diligence;
• structural assessment and invasive investigation;
• moving furniture or the occupier's belongings, or inspecting behind fitted appliances;
• the age, warranty or service history of equipment;
• common areas, shared facilities and building-wide systems;
• pools, irrigation and specialist plant unless separately agreed.

• the seller's agreement to the visit, and the occupier's cooperation if the property is tenanted;
• access to every room, store, balcony and outdoor area in scope;
• water and electricity on, and cooling running;
• reasonable clearance around wet areas, windows and electrical fittings.

The inspection provider's report sets out the conditions on the day, including occupancy and furniture, then lists findings by room. Each finding has a reference number, photographs, a description and a provider-defined priority, together with a suggested next step. That might be a question for the seller, a repair to plan or a specialist check. Read our guide on how to read a snagging report for help interpreting priorities.

You decide how to use the information. Depending on your situation, you might:

• ask the seller about specific items, such as when a stain appeared or whether a repair was carried out;
• request that particular repairs are completed before transfer, if the seller agrees;
• obtain quotes for work they will carry out themselves after completion;
• arrange a specialist investigation where the report suggests one.

The report does not decide who is responsible for any item, and it does not set or adjust the property's value.

If the seller agrees to carry out repairs before transfer, a Reinspection (sometimes called de-snagging) can check those specific items against their reference numbers. Its terms are confirmed in writing before it is arranged.