Is Property Snagging Mandatory in Dubai? 2025 Legal Insights

Dubai continues to shine as one of the world’s top real estate investment destinations in 2025. With hundreds of new apartments, townhouses, and luxury villas being handed over every month, homebuyers and investors are eager to protect their investment. A common and pressing question has surfaced among both first-time and seasoned buyers: “Is property snagging legally required in Dubai before taking possession of a home?”

While the short answer is no, snagging isn’t yet a legal requirement under Dubai law, the long answer tells a different story—one that every property buyer needs to understand.
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Let’s unpack the legal standpoint, the practical realities, and why GTA Inspectors strongly recommend snagging before you accept the handover of any property in Dubai.

Know The Property Snagging and Why Does It Matter?

Before diving into legalities, it’s important to understand what property snagging actually involves.

Snagging is a detailed quality inspection of a newly built (or renovated) property prior to final handover. The purpose is to identify defects, unfinished work, or quality concerns that the developer or contractor should resolve.
Snagging usually reveals problems such as:

• Scratched or damaged floor tiles
• Cracked paint or uneven finishes
• Water leaks or faulty plumbing
• Loose door handles or misaligned windows
• Electrical faults or non-functioning sockets
• Issues with HVAC or smart home systems
  
  

At GTA Inspectors, we conduct comprehensive snagging inspections across all areas of the property—interiors, exteriors, mechanical systems, and more—ensuring nothing is left unchecked.

Is Property Snagging Mandatory in Dubai?

The Legal Perspective in 2025

As of 2025, Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) do not make snagging inspections mandatory by law. Buyers are not legally obligated to hire a snagging company before taking handover of a new home.

However, this doesn’t mean snagging isn’t important. In fact, here's what the law does provide:

• Defect Liability Period (DLP): Developers are legally responsible for fixing construction or mechanical defects for up to 12 months after handover.
• Structural Warranty Period: Developers must fix structural issues within a 10-year period from the date of completion.
  
  

But there’s a catch: once you sign the handover documents, your negotiating power significantly weakens. Without a proper snagging report, you may not be able to prove that an issue existed prior to handover.

Key Legal Facts Every Buyer Should Know

• Snagging isn’t legally required, but it is legally advantageous.
  
• Dubai's courts will request documented proof of pre-handover defects during any legal dispute.
  
• Your ability to hold a developer accountable depends heavily on the quality of the snagging report.
  
  

So while you’re not forced to perform snagging, you’re taking a serious risk if you skip it.

Why Many Dubai Buyers Regret Skipping Snagging

A shocking statistic we’ve seen in 2025: Over 90% of buyers who skip professional snagging face issues within the first few months of moving in.
Let’s look at what often goes wrong:

• Hidden leaks behind ceiling tiles that lead to mold and water damage
  
• Faulty air conditioning that causes discomfort in summer months
  
• Unsafe electrical wiring that creates fire hazards
  
• Cracked exterior walls or waterproofing issues that result in water ingress during rain
  
  

These aren’t just minor inconveniences—they’re expensive repairs that could’ve been avoided with a professional snagging inspection.

When Should You Schedule a Snagging Inspection?

Timing is critical in the snagging process. At GTA Inspectors, we advise the following approach:

• After receiving the property completion notice
  
• Before you make the final payment or sign handover documents
  
• Allow at least 7–10 working days for the developer to resolve issues identified in the report
  
  

Conducting snagging too early might cause you to miss post-construction issues. Doing it too late means you’ve already accepted the property—and potentially its flaws.

What Does a Professional Snagging Inspection Include?

At GTA Inspectors, our snagging inspections are carried out by certified civil and MEP engineers. We follow a meticulous checklist that includes:

Interior Checks

• Floor finishes, tiles, and skirting boards
  
• Wall paint consistency, cracks, and surface bubbles
  
• Kitchen counters, cabinetry alignment, and hardware function
  
• Bathroom fixtures, sealants, and waterproofing
  
  

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP)

• Power sockets, light switches, and DB panels
  
• Water pressure, drainage flow, and hot/cold supply
  
• Air conditioning cooling performance and air duct integrity
  
  

Structural & External

• Roof waterproofing and terrace slope checks
  
• Balcony railing safety and tile finish
  
• Façade cracks or moisture penetration signs
  
• Door lock alignment, hinges, and handle operation
  
  

All defects are documented with photographic evidence, location references, and severity ratings, ensuring the developer has no room to delay or deny fixes.

Is Snagging Important for Villas, Apartments, and Townhouses?

Yes—every type of property needs snagging, even those built by top developers.

• Apartments: Common issues include soundproofing defects, weak HVAC performance, or fire safety non-compliance.
  
• Villas: Often experience waterproofing failures, poor landscaping drainage, or swimming pool system defects.
  
• Townhouses: Shared wall issues, boundary alignment errors, and garage finishing defects are common.
  
  

Whether you’re buying in Dubai Marina, JVC, Arabian Ranches, or Downtown, no property is immune from construction oversight.

Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Developer-Supplied Snagging Teams

Some developers offer “in-house” snagging inspections, but beware: these teams work for the developer—not you.
Here’s what often goes wrong:

• They skip or ignore costly, hard-to-fix issues
  
• Reports may be superficial and lack evidence
  
• Inspections are rushed to meet handover deadlines
  
  

Hiring a neutral, RERA-compliant, third-party inspector like GTA Inspectors ensures an honest and complete evaluation of your property.

Real-Life Mistakes That Prove the Importance of Snagging

Case Study 1: The AED 9,000 Ceiling Repair
A buyer accepted the handover of a luxury apartment without a snagging inspection. Two weeks later, a water leak from a hidden AC vent required a full ceiling teardown. Final repair cost: AED 9,000.

Case Study 2: The Villa Garden Flood
A family moved into a villa in the suburbs only to discover faulty drainage. The first rainstorm caused a garden flood and water seepage into the living room. The developer refused responsibility—because no snagging report was submitted before handover.

These are just two of many examples that underscore the high price of skipping a simple but powerful step: property snagging.

Expert Tips to Maximize Your Snagging Benefits

• Hire only certified snagging companies with engineering expertise
  
• Ask for a detailed PDF snagging report with photos and descriptions
  
• Share the report with the developer and demand a timeline for fixes
  
•  Request a follow-up inspection to confirm that all issues are resolved
  
• Never sign the handover document until all critical defects are rectified
  
  

Remember: Signing the handover means you're legally accepting the condition of the unit.

What Dubai Homeowners Say About Snagging Services

“GTA Inspectors found 37 issues I would have never noticed myself. Their report helped me avoid major post-handover expenses.” – Nasser, Jumeirah Village Circle
“They inspected everything thoroughly. Even tiny details like uneven tile joints and loose light fittings. Worth every dirham!” – Leila, Dubai Hills Estate

Final Thoughts: If Not Mandatory, Make It Essential

While snagging might not be a legal requirement in Dubai (yet), the risks of skipping it in 2025 are far too high. Delays in fixes, costly repairs, safety issues, and even reduced property value can follow you long after you’ve moved in.

At GTA Inspectors, we’ve seen first-hand how a professional snagging report saves time, money, and stress. That’s why we believe:
If snagging isn’t mandatory by law — make it mandatory for yourself.

​Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, let GTA Inspectors be your trusted partner in safeguarding your real estate investment in Dubai’s evolving property landscape.