Home inspection guide: Who is responsible for water and electricity problems after handing over the house? 4 stages of finishing

On the day of home inspection, 7 items that must be checked for water and electricity

• Whether all the sockets in the house are properly powered
• Whether the circuits of the distribution box are clearly marked and there are no electrical jump abnormalities
• Whether the drainage in bathrooms and kitchens is smooth and without blockage
• Whether the ignition and outlet temperature of the water heater are normal
• Is there any trace of water seepage on the walls and ceiling
• Is there any dripping water at the water pipe joints
• Whether switches and lamps are functioning normally

How to deal with defects found on the day of handover

If water and electricity problems are discovered during the home inspection or on the day of handover, it is recommended to take photos on the spot and clearly record the defective items and the handling methods confirmed by both parties on the handover documents to avoid making unsubstantiated claims afterwards.

What to do if defects are found within 6 months after handing over the house

Many water and electricity defects will not appear immediately and may be discovered after a period of use after moving in, such as leaking pipe joints or insufficient circuit load. It is recommended that when problems are discovered, take photos and document them, and keep a record of notifying the builder or previous owner in writing.

Liability determinations are significantly different inside and outside the warranty period (General provisions organized)

Newly built homes usually have a certain warranty period. In principle, the builder is responsible for handling defects during the warranty period. Transactions of second-hand houses outside the warranty period are mostly handled in accordance with the agreement between the two parties in the sales contract. This part is only a general guide. Actual cases still need to be judged according to the content of the contract.

Defects, responsible parties, claimants and deadlines comparison table

10 must-photographed water and electricity evidence

1. Whole house socket test screen
2. Distribution box circuit markings
3. Bathroom drain test
4. Water heater outlet water temperature display
5. Close-up shot of signs of water seepage on ceilings and walls
6. Drip location of water pipe joint
7. Time-stamped photo of the day of home inspection
8. House handover document signing page
9. Both parties’ confirmation record of defects
10. Follow-up maintenance estimate

Situational Case

Three months after the handover of a certain medieval house, traces of water leakage appeared on the bathroom ceiling. The owner first took pictures and obtained an estimate of the house inspection by a master. This was used as a basis for coordination with the previous owner, and was ultimately settled according to the sales contract. In practice, the results of this situation will still vary depending on the contract and agreement content of the case.

The importance of supporting the valuation sheet

Whether it is seeking reimbursement within the warranty period or coordinating outside the warranty period, a estimate that clearly lists the test results and repair items is an important basis for communication. You can first use /tools/repair-quotation-generator to do a trial calculation and obtain written records.

The aspect of house inspection that cannot be omitted: find a third party to re-inspect

It is recommended that before handing over the house or when suspected defects are discovered, arrange for a third party with plumbing expertise to come to the site for re-inspection and obtain an independent inspection record. This record will be important evidence in the subsequent coordination or compensation process, and can also avoid relying entirely on the unilateral statement of the builder or the previous owner.

Common home inspection myths

Many people think that as long as the socket is powered and there is water in the faucet, it means that there is no problem with water and electricity. However, in fact, whether the load of the distribution circuit is sufficient, whether the drainage slope is normal, and whether the water heater safety device is complete. These details often require professional testing to discover. It is easy to miss potential problems with the naked eye or simple tests.

Differences in the key points of home inspection between newly built houses and second-hand houses

The focus of home inspection on newly constructed homes is to confirm whether the construction quality complies with the contract specifications, while on second-hand homes, special attention should be paid to the aging of pipelines caused by the age of the home. The inspection angles of the two home inspections are slightly different. It is recommended to adjust the key items of the home inspection checklist according to the type of house.

It is recommended to entrust a professional home inspection team or a certified plumber technician to conduct a re-inspection of the water and electricity circuit before handing over the house to protect your own rights and interests.

Extended reading: For more water and electricity planning before renovation, please refer to "Complete Guide to Home Water and Electricity Planning" and "Old House Acceptance Checklist".

FAQ

Q1: If there are no problems found on the day of the home inspection, can I still claim it later?

Depending on the warranty scope and the house delivery agreement, defects within the warranty period usually still have the opportunity to be claimed. It is recommended to retain evidence as soon as possible after discovery and notify relevant parties in writing.

Q2: If water leakage is discovered after the second-hand house is handed over, is it necessarily the responsibility of the previous owner?

It depends on the agreement on the condition of the house in the sales contract and the confirmation of the current condition when the house is handed over. It does not mean that all leaks can be attributed to the previous owner.

Q3: Should I do the home inspection myself or should I be accompanied by a professional?

Hydropower projects are relatively professional. It is recommended to arrange for personnel with relevant experience to accompany the inspection at least on key projects (power distribution, drainage, water heaters), so that potential problems can be discovered early.

Q4: How long does it take for defects discovered after handing over the house to be counted?

Depending on the warranty terms or the period stipulated in the contract, it is recommended to confirm the warranty period and scope before handing over the house, and pay attention to whether there are any abnormal conditions within the period. The earlier it is discovered, the easier it is to deal with it later.

Q5: If a small problem is discovered during the house inspection, can I ask for it to be repaired before handing over the house?

You can coordinate with the builder or previous owner to include the defects found in the handover confirmation and agree on a repair period or treatment method. This part still needs to be determined by the agreement between the two parties and the terms of the contract.

Precautions for water and electricity for long-term living after handing over the house

Even if the warranty period is successfully completed, it is still recommended to pay regular attention to the condition of the water and electricity system after living for a period of time, such as checking the distribution box and drainage system every two years. It is more cost-effective to detect problems early than to wait until obvious damage occurs, and it can also extend the service life of the equipment.

Things to note when communicating about defects with the builder or previous owner

When communicating about defect issues, it is recommended to attach clear photos, discovery dates and specific descriptions, and maintain a rational and pragmatic attitude to explain the situation. This is usually easier for the other party to actively deal with than emotional accusations. If the other party fails to respond, it is recommended to reconfirm in writing (LINE, email) and keep the record as a basis for subsequent coordination or seeking assistance when necessary.

Differences in common defects among different housing types

The common water and electricity defects in elevator buildings and Tuotiancuo are not the same. In elevator buildings, leakage at the intersection of public and private pipelines is more common, while in Tuotiancuo, roof waterproofing or basement drainage problems are more common. Understanding the common patterns of defects in your home type can make home inspections and follow-up inspections more directional, rather than aimlessly checking every corner.

The above is a collection of general information, not legal advice on individual cases. For actual disputes, it is recommended to consult a lawyer or the Legal Aid Foundation.

New knowledge on air-conditioning power consumption in recent years and Taiwan climate maintenance regulations (2025-2026 current situation)

With the high temperatures in summer breaking historical records and the adjustment of electricity price structure in recent years, the latest statistics from the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that air-conditioning equipment accounts for more than 47% of residential electricity consumption in summer. Many people mistakenly believe that if the air conditioner is not cold, they only need to "replenish the refrigerant." However, in fact, refrigerant is not naturally consumed during normal operation in a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is insufficient, it means that there are micro leaks in the copper pipes or joints. Simply replenishing the air conditioner will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Refrigerant leakage will aggravate the high temperature overload of the compressor and shorten its service life.

According to Taiwan's standard operating specifications for air-conditioning projects, it is recommended that professional technicians with a refrigeration and air-conditioning decoration technician license perform "full machine high-pressure water washing and evaporator deep sterilization" every 1 to 2 years for detached air-conditioning indoor units. Especially in the humid summer in the Shuangbei Basin, the air drum and water collection tray are easy to breed black mold and jelly-like biofilm. This is also the main reason for the sour smell in the air-conditioning outlet and the backflow of the drainage pipe. Regular maintenance can maintain CSPF (Air Conditioning Seasonal Performance Factor) level one energy efficiency level, which can save an average household 15% to 20% of air conditioning electricity bills every year.

Autonomous simple maintenance vs professional maintenance safety red line

• Homeowners can do by themselves: Remove and clean the nylon filter regularly every 2 to 3 weeks (rinse with clean water and dry in a cool place, do not expose it to the sun to avoid deformation and embrittlement); clean the air outlet blades of the indoor unit with a dry cloth; check whether there is any accumulation of debris within 50 cm around the outdoor unit that hinders heat dissipation.
• Professional technicians must be entrusted according to regulations: Refrigerant pressure testing and leakage repair welding, high-pressure cleaning of indoor unit air drums and aluminum fins with liquid chemicals, reset of the drainage slope of hidden cold water pipes in the ceiling, and 220V dedicated power circuit configuration and leakage circuit breaker replacement.