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Step-by-Step First-Home Purchase Guide: Common Defects to Check During Vacant Possession (VP)

 

 

Step-by-Step First-Home Purchase Guide: 
Common Defects to Check During Vacant Possession (VP) 


When you receive Vacant Possession (VP) for a new property, the developer is handing over the unit for your inspection and occupancy. This is one of the most important stages for a first-time homeowner because defects discovered during the Defects Liability Period (DLP) can usually be rectified by the developer at no cost to you. 
  1. Before Your VP Inspection 
    • Step 1: Prepare Inspection Tools 
      • Bring: 
        •  Defect checklist 
        • Smartphone/camera 
        • Measuring tape 
        • Torchlight 
        • Masking tape or stickers (to mark defects) 
        • Phone charger/power bank 
        • Small marble or golf ball (to check floor levels) 
        • Electrical tester (optional) 
        • Notebook or inspection app 
    • Step 2: Obtain Relevant Documents 
      • Ensure you have: 
        •  VP letter 
        • Floor plan 
        • SPA 
        • Defect submission procedure from the developer 
        • Keys and access cards 
  2. Exterior Inspection 
    • Step 3: Check Main Door 
      • Inspect for:  
        • ✅ Scratches and dents 
        •  ✅ Proper alignment 
        •  ✅ Smooth opening and closing 
        •  ✅ Functional locks and handles 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Door rubbing against floor 
        • Misaligned frame 
        • Loose lockset 
        • Damaged door surface 
    • Step 4: Check Windows 
      • Open and close every window. 
      •  Inspect: 
        •  ✅ Locks 
        •  ✅ Handles 
        •  ✅ Rubber seals 
        •  ✅ Glass condition 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Cracked glass 
        • Difficult operation 
        • Gaps between frame and wall 
        • Water leakage points 
  3. Floor Inspection 
    • Step 5: Check Floor Tiles 
      • Walk through every room. 
      •  Look for: 
        •  ✅ Hollow tiles 
        •  ✅ Cracked tiles 
        •  ✅ Uneven surfaces 
        •  ✅ Poor grout lines 
      •  How to Test 
        • Tap tiles lightly with a coin or hard object. 
        •  A hollow sound may indicate poor bonding. 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Hollow tiles 
        • Chipped edges 
        • Poor alignment 
        • Uneven tile joints 
    • Step 6: Check Floor Levelness 
      • Use: 
        •  Marble 
        • Golf ball 
        • Place it on various locations. 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Uneven screed 
        • Floor ponding 
        • Sloping in wrong direction 
      • Particularly important in: 
        •  Bathrooms 
        • Balconies 
        • Yard areas 
  4. Wall Inspection 
    • Step 7: Check Wall Finishes 
      • Inspect every wall carefully. 
      •  Look for: 
        •  ✅ Smooth paint finish 
        •  ✅ Uniform color 
        •  ✅ Proper plastering 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Hairline cracks 
        • Bulging plaster 
        • Paint peeling 
        • Uneven surfaces 
    • Step 8: Check Corners and Joints 
      • Pay attention to: 
        •  Wall-to-wall joints 
        • Wall-to-ceiling joints 
        • Door frame connections 
      • Common Defects 
        • Settlement cracks 
        • Poor finishing 
        • Gaps 
  5. Ceiling Inspection 
    • Step 9: Inspect Ceiling Surfaces 
      • Look upward carefully. 
      •  Check for: 
        •  ✅ Flat surfaces 
        •  ✅ Consistent paint 
        •  ✅ No staining 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Water stains 
        • Ceiling cracks 
        • Uneven gypsum board joints 
        • Paint defects 
        • Water stains may indicate roof or plumbing leakage. 
  6.  Plumbing Inspection 
    • Step 10: Test All Water Taps 
      • Open every tap fully. 
      •  Check: 
        •  ✅ Water flow 
        •  ✅ Water pressure 
        •  ✅ Leakage 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Dripping taps 
        • Weak pressure 
        • Loose fittings 
    • Step 11: Test Toilets 
      • Flush several times. 
      •  Check: 
        •  ✅ Proper flushing 
        •  ✅ Refill function 
        •  ✅ Leakage around base 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Weak flushing 
        • Continuous running water 
        • Leaks 
    • Step 12: Test Drainage 
      • Pour water into: 
        •  Floor traps 
        • Shower areas 
        • Balconies 
        • Yard drains 
      • Common Defects 
        • Slow drainage 
        • Water ponding 
        • Blocked pipes 
        • Bathrooms should drain completely without standing water. 
  7.  Waterproofing Inspection 
    • Step 13: Check Wet Areas 
      • Focus on: 
        •  Bathrooms 
        • Balconies 
        • Yard 
      • Look for: 
        •  ✅ Dry surrounding walls 
        •  ✅ Proper drainage 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Water seepage 
        • Damp patches 
        • Waterproofing failure 
  8. Electrical Inspection 
    • Step 14: Test Every Power Point 
      • Use: 
        •  Phone charger 
        • Socket tester 
        • Check all outlets. 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Dead sockets 
        • Loose outlets I
        • ncorrect wiring 
    • Step 15: Test All Light Points 
      • Switch on every light. 
      •  Check: 
        •  ✅ Functionality 
        •  ✅ Switch operation 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Non-functioning switches 
        • Loose fittings 
        • Faulty wiring 
    • Step 16: Check Distribution Board (DB) 
      • Inspect: 
        •  Labels 
        • Circuit breakers 
        • General workmanship 
      • Common Defects 
        • Poor labeling 
        • Loose components 
        • Missing circuit identification 
  9. Kitchen Inspection 
    • Step 17: Check Countertops 
      • Inspect for: 
        •  ✅ Level installation 
        •  ✅ Surface condition 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Chips Cracks 
        • Poor joint finishing 
    • Step 18: Check Cabinets 
      • Open every door and drawer. 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Misalignment 
        • Loose hinges 
        • Damaged laminate 
  10. Bathroom Inspection 
    • Step 19: Shower Area 
      • Check: 
        •  ✅ Water flow 
        •  ✅ Drainage 
        •  ✅ Tile finishing 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Ponding water 
        • Hollow tiles 
        • Waterproofing issues 
    • Step 20: Check Silicone and Sealants 
      • Inspect around: 
        •  Sink 
        • Shower screen 
        • Toilet fixtures 
      • Common Defects 
        • Missing sealant 
        • Gaps 
        • Poor workmanship 
  11. Balcony Inspection 
    • Step 21: Water Ponding 
      • Test 
        • Pour water onto balcony floor. 
        •  Verify water flows toward drains. 
      •  Common Defects 
        • Incorrect slope 
        • Water accumulation 
        • Blocked drains 
  12. Air Conditioning Points 
    • Step 22: Check Air-Cond Provisions 
      • Inspect: 
        •  Piping points 
        • Drain points 
        • Electrical points 
      • Common Defects 
        • Missing insulation 
        • Damaged piping Improper drain routing 
  13. Safety Inspection 
    • Step 23: Check Railings and Safety Features 
      • Inspect: 
        •  Balcony railings 
        • Stair handrails 
        • Safety barriers 
      • Common Defects 
        • Loose railings 
        • Sharp edges 
        • Poor installation 
  14. Documenting Defects 
    • Step 24: Record Everything 
      • For each defect: 
        •  Take clear photos. 
        • Record location. 
        • Describe issue precisely. 
        • Mark defect physically if allowed. 
        • Example: 

          RoomDefect
          Master Bedroom     Hollow floor tile near window
          Bathroom 2    Water ponding beside floor trap
          Living Room         Paint crack above door

      • Most developers provide: 
        •  Online portal 
        • Mobile app 
        • Defect form 
        • Submit as early as possible within the DLP. 
      • High-Priority Defects That Need Immediate Attention 
        • 🔴 Water leakage 
        • 🔴 Waterproofing failure 
        • 🔴 Structural cracks
        • 🔴 Electrical faults 
        • 🔴 Non-functional plumbing 
        • 🔴 Window leakage 
        • 🔴 Balcony drainage issues 
        •  These defects can become expensive and disruptive if not rectified early. 
 
Professional Tip For properties above RM500,000—or if you are unfamiliar with construction—it is often worthwhile to hire an independent building inspector or architect to perform a detailed VP inspection. The cost is usually small compared to the expense of repairing hidden defects after the Defects Liability Period expires.


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