Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019 states that a developer remains liable for ten years for structural defects in jointly owned property and for one year for specified defective installations. The SPA and handover documents should also be reviewed for project-specific warranties.
Snagging and the defect-liability period are not the same
Snagging is the inspection process used before or around handover. The defect-liability period is the time after handover during which specified defects may remain the developer’s responsibility. A clean handover inspection does not guarantee that concealed leaks, drainage problems or equipment failures will never appear. Owners need a reporting process after move-in.
The official liability framework
Article 40 of Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019 provides a ten-year developer liability for defects in structural parts of jointly owned real property, counted from the project completion certificate. It also provides a one-year liability from handover for repairing or replacing defective mechanical, electrical, sanitary, sewerage and similar installations. The exact SPA terms and other applicable rights should be reviewed by a qualified adviser.
Create a defect log from day one
Use one spreadsheet or folder with the date discovered, room, description, photos, video, effect on use, and every communication. Keep emails and service-request numbers. For intermittent issues such as water pressure, AC drainage or odour, record the time, conditions and frequency. A clear evidence trail is more useful than repeated phone calls.
Report through the official developer channel
Use the developer or community-management system stated in the handover pack. Describe the defect precisely and request a reference number and written response. Avoid combining unrelated issues into one vague complaint. If access is needed, keep records of appointments, attendance and the work completed.
Inspect again before the one-year point
Schedule a systematic review before the contractual or statutory one-year installation period expires. Recheck plumbing, drainage, AC, electrical points, doors, windows, waterproofing signs and recurring cracks. Allow enough time to submit the report and obtain acknowledgement before the deadline in the SPA or applicable law.
Common areas and structural concerns
Problems in elevators, roofs, facades, shared drainage or other common parts should also be reported to the management entity. Structural symptoms require specialist assessment; owners should not label a crack structural without professional evaluation. Where a dispute or serious risk exists, obtain legal and technical advice rather than relying on a blog article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the one-year period cover every defect?
No. Coverage depends on the law, SPA and nature of the issue. Article 40 identifies specified installations, while structural liability follows a different period.
When should I conduct a DLP inspection?
Before the relevant deadline with enough time to submit and acknowledge the report; confirm the exact SPA date.
Can I rely on WhatsApp messages?
Use the formal reporting channel and keep written evidence and reference numbers. Legal advice may be needed in a dispute.
Action Summary
Use this guide as a decision checklist, then request the documents for the exact property and compare options on one consistent basis. Confirm every changeable detail through the official source or contract before paying.
Call to Action
Contact Laguna Life to compare available properties by budget and objective, with the layout, location, costs and documents reviewed before reservation or purchase.