The Handover File: Every Document You Should Receive

The last day of home construction in Mysuru usually feels like a celebration. The painters have left, the keys are in your hand and the family is planning the griha pravesha. Yet the most valuable thing you receive that day is not the key. It is the folder of documents that proves what was built, how it was built and who is responsible if something goes wrong.

Homeowners often discover a missing paper years later, when they apply for a loan, sell the house or chase a leak. Collecting a complete handover file while everyone is still on site costs you only an afternoon.

This article lists what that file should contain, why each item matters and how to check it before you sign off.

Approvals and ownership papers

This is the legal spine of your file. Keep originals in a safe place and scanned copies in cloud storage.

• Sanctioned building plan with the authority’s stamp and approval reference. Compare it with what was actually built.
• Khata documents updated to reflect the new building, along with the latest property tax receipts.
• Licences and permissions obtained during the build, such as the building licence and any commencement related papers your local authority issued.
• Completion or occupancy related certificates, where your authority requires them. Requirements differ between the city corporation, development authority layouts and panchayat areas, so confirm with the authority or an advocate which certificates apply to your plot.
• Receipts for statutory fees you paid directly to government bodies. These prove payment if a file is questioned later.

Utility connections and service records

Power, water and drainage are where handover gaps show up first. Ask for:

• Electricity connection papers: sanction letter, meter number, consumer or account number and the first bill.
• Water supply and sewage connection papers with connection numbers and receipts.
• Borewell details, if you have one: depth, casing, yield noted at drilling and the pump model.
• Rainwater harvesting details where installed, including the location of the recharge pit or sump.

At Uniq Builders, government approvals such as plan sanction, khata, licences and the power, water and sewage connections are handled by the company as part of every package, while statutory fees are paid directly by the client. Knowing this split early tells you which receipts will carry your name.

Drawings of the house as it stands

Approved drawings show intent. You also need drawings that show reality, because small changes almost always happen on site.

• Architectural working drawings for every floor, with room sizes and door and window schedules.
• 2D and 3D elevations matching the final facade.
• Structural drawings: foundation, column, beam and slab details, with reinforcement information.
• Soil test report used for the structural design.
• Electrical layout showing points, circuits, the distribution board and the earthing location.
• Plumbing and drainage layout showing concealed pipe routes, inspection chambers, sump, overhead tank lines and septic or sewer connection.

Mark the plumbing and electrical sheets clearly. Before you drill a wall to hang a television or fix a shelf, these two sheets will save you from hitting a pipe. If you are still at the planning stage, our architectural design service explains how working drawings and elevations are prepared and revised.

Specification, quality and financial records

This group of papers lets you check that you received what you paid for.

• The written specification agreed at the start: cement and steel brands, block type, flooring, tiles, sanitaryware, fittings, doors, windows, paint and electrical make.
• Change orders signed during the build, with the revised cost for each.
• Material test records where available, such as concrete cube test results and steel mill certificates.
• Final bill and statement of account, showing the contract value, approved variations, separately quoted site conditions and all payments made, with receipts.
• A no dues or final settlement letter confirming nothing further is owed by either side.

Site conditions such as rock excavation, extra foundation depth or imported filling earth are commonly quoted separately after the site visit, so make sure any such items appear clearly in the final statement. Tax treatment of these payments is a question for your chartered accountant, not your builder. You can compare what each level includes on our construction packages page.

Warranties, snag list and final checks

The final group protects you after you move in.

• Workmanship warranty from the builder, stating what it covers and how to raise a complaint.
• Service commitment details, including the period and the contact person. Every Uniq Builders package includes a workmanship warranty and one year of free service after handover.
• Manufacturer warranty cards and invoices for waterproofing, tiles, sanitaryware, taps, water heaters, pumps, inverters, modular kitchen hardware and appliances.
• Operation manuals for anything with a motor, a switch panel or a filter.
• Signed snag list: every defect noted during the handover walkthrough, the date it was fixed and your sign-off.
• Contact sheet for the site engineer, electrician, plumber and key suppliers.

Photograph the house room by room on handover day and store the images with the file. Dated photographs make warranty conversations far simpler.

Finally, do not accept the folder at the door. Sit with the site engineer and go through it item by item against a printed checklist. Open the plumbing layout and walk to two or three chambers to confirm the drawing is accurate. Match the meter numbers on the papers with the meters on the wall. Check that the name on every approval and connection is spelt exactly as on your sale deed.

If something is pending, such as a connection still in process, write it down with an expected date and get it acknowledged in writing.

To discuss what a complete handover looks like for your plot, speak with our team on +91 98449 93200 or read more guides in our home construction in Mysuru section.

Frequently asked questions

What if my builder does not give me as-built drawings?

Ask for them in writing before the final payment is released, since site changes make approved drawings unreliable for future repairs. If they truly do not exist, an architect or engineer can measure the house and prepare them, though concealed pipe and cable routes are hard to trace after plastering.

Should I keep originals or copies of the handover documents?

Keep the originals of approvals, khata papers, connection letters and warranties in a fireproof folder or bank locker. Store scanned copies in cloud storage and share access with one trusted family member so the file survives a lost folder.

Which documents will a bank or buyer ask for later?

Lenders and buyers typically ask for title documents, the sanctioned plan, khata and tax receipts, and completion related certificates where applicable. Exact requirements vary by bank and authority, so confirm the current list with the lender and an advocate before you apply or sell.