At the final inspection, shortly before completion, you check whether the home is being handed over as agreed. Bring the purchase agreement, inventory list and any repair agreements. Allow enough time so questions do not first arise at the notary’s desk.
Prepare for the final walk-through
Make one short list of what you want to check: agreed repairs, items staying behind and rooms that could not be accessed at an earlier viewing. Have a phone ready for photographs and know whom to contact if there is a problem.
Notaris.nl (in Dutch) explains that buyers and sellers, or their agents, check the property’s condition, repairs and items left behind before the appointment with the civil-law notary. Meter readings are also recorded.
Go through the home room by room
- Compare: does the visible condition match the agreements, and have agreed repairs been completed?
- Look: are there new damp patches, damage or other changes?
- Try: where possible, have the agreed installations and appliances demonstrated; record what could not be tested.
- Check: are the agreed items present and the items to be removed gone?
- Remember: the storage room, balcony, garden and other spaces included in the purchase.
- Record: meter readings, keys, remote controls and available manuals.
A photograph of a meter is more useful if its identification number is also legible. If a meter cannot be reached, record that its reading still needs to be established rather than estimating a number.
Discuss discrepancies
Is an agreed appliance missing, or is there new damage? Record what you see and discuss it with your agent and notary before signing. Specify who will resolve it and when. The appropriate solution depends on the purchase agreement and seriousness of the issue; do not automatically deduct money yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does the final inspection replace a building survey?
No. This walk-through checks the handover. Technical uncertainties require appropriate investigation, preferably well before completion.
What if the seller promises to fix a defect later?
Have the agreement recorded precisely. For a significant issue, discuss with your advisers whether the proposed solution gives sufficient certainty.
Which list should I bring?
The final inventory list and written repair and handover agreements. Check that you have the latest versions.
Explore our buying service for support from the first viewing to completion.
English edition: 25 September 2026. Source: Notaris.nl, linked above. This checklist is general practical preparation; the purchase agreement determines the parties’ obligations.