Key Inspection Tips for New HOS Flats Handover
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With the new HOS estates such as On Ying Court, On Lai Court, and On Wa Court on Anderson Road, as well as Kai Tak's Kai Yue Court, expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in the second half of 2025, many prospective homeowners are actively preparing for the handover of their flats. The inspection of the flat upon handover is a crucial part of the entire home-buying process. Currently, the handover standards for flats under the Housing Authority's HOS, Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme, and new public housing are mostly 'bare units', making it all the more important to be meticulous during the inspection to avoid discovering problems only during renovation, which could lead to additional expenses. This time, Renovation Man has summarized six key areas to check during the inspection and some tips, so prospective homeowners can be fully prepared.
Six Key Points for Self-Inspection of Buildings
1. Checking Doors, Windows, and Locks:
Doors and windows are the first line of defense in home security, and their functionality and stability should not be overlooked.
Operation Test: Check all doors and windows in the house to ensure they open and close smoothly, without any sticking or unusual noises.
Lock Stability: Inspect the locks on doors and windows to ensure they are secure, tightly fastened when locked, and not prone to loosening.
2. Aluminum Window Inspection: Loosening, Air Leakage, Water Seepage Risk Assessment
The quality of aluminum windows directly affects sound insulation, thermal insulation, and waterproofing. Below are the key points for inspection:
Window Frame Stability: Gently shake the window frame with your hand to check if it is stable. If the window frame shows obvious shaking, there is a risk of loosening, and it is essential to report it to the Housing Authority.
Window Frame Screws: Check if the screws on the window frame are fully installed and if there are any missing or loose screws. Missing screws will directly affect the stability of the window frame.
Air Tightness Test: Close the window tightly and lock it, then try to insert a credit card into the gap of the window frame. If the credit card can be easily inserted, it indicates insufficient air tightness of the window, which may lead to air leakage and water seepage problems.
3. Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures Leakage and Drainage Testing:
The water fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom are crucial to daily life quality. Early detection of problems can avoid unnecessary troubles in the future.
Faucet/Shower: Check if the faucet and shower are functioning normally and if there is any leakage. Observe if the rotation is smooth and if there are any signs of rust.
Drainage Test: Turn the faucet to the maximum to test the drainage speed of the sink, basin, shower tray, and floor drain. Ensure the drainage is smooth, without blockage or leakage.
Pipe Inspection: Carefully inspect the connection points of the drainage pipes to confirm there are no signs of leakage.
4. Electrical Switch and Socket Safety Inspection:
Electrical safety is related to the safety of the residents, so it must be carefully checked.
Function Test: Test all switches and sockets one by one to ensure each one works normally.
Circuit Breaker Test: Test with different electrical appliances to see if there is any tripping and record the location of the problem.
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5. Kitchen and Toilet Tile Hollowing and Waterproofing Inspection:
Although the kitchen and toilet of the public housing come with basic decoration, the quality of tiles and waterproofing layer still requires attention.
Hollowing Check: Use a inspection rod to lightly tap the walls of the kitchen and toilet. If a hollow sound is heard, it indicates that the tiles are hollow and may peel off in the future. The positions where cabinets are to be installed require more careful inspection.
Housing Authority Repair: If hollowing is found, it should be reported to the Housing Authority immediately for repair.
Redo Waterproofing: If planning to replace all tiles in the kitchen and toilet, after removing the old tiles, it is essential to redo the waterproofing layer before laying new tiles to avoid future water leakage problems.
6. Floor Levelness Test:
Floor tilt will affect furniture placement and user experience.
Level Gauge Measurement: Use a level gauge to measure the floor's levelness, especially in main activity spaces like the living room and bedroom, to check for any significant tilt (exceeding 5mm).
Tilt Handling: If severe floor tilt is found, it is recommended to re-lay the floor during renovation.
The Most Important "7-Day Golden Period" After Building Inspection
After taking possession of the property, it is crucial to utilize the 7-day "golden period" to thoroughly inspect the property according to the Renovation Guidelines. Should any issues be discovered, immediately fill out the "Damage Report Form" and submit it to the Housing Authority along with photographic or video evidence. If this period exceeds 7 days, the owner will be responsible for the repairs themselves.
Other Inspection Tips:
Preparation of Inspection Tools: Tape measure, level, flashlight, notebook, camera/phone, sticky notes, etc.
Photographic Records: Be sure to photograph all defects during the inspection for future follow-up.
Make Good Use of Sticky Notes: Place sticky notes on areas where problems are found to facilitate identification and tracking.
Plan Early: Green form applicants are required to return their original public housing within 60 days, leaving only about two months for renovation. It is recommended to start looking for a renovation company as early as possible to commence work promptly.
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The content and images of this article are provided by the columnist Renovation Man.
