Handover on a new townhouse or apartment near the Metro
What changes when your new home is a strata lot.
In short: On a November 2025 Castle Hill handover of a new home with a balcony, the list ran from missing ceiling insulation to caulking smeared on the balcony wall.
The lot is yours, the rest is shared
On a strata title townhouse or apartment, the inspection covers your lot as defined by the strata plan. Common property belongs to the owners corporation.
What we recorded
On one Castle Hill handover we found no ceiling insulation installed, an air conditioner drain not connected, a laundry with no working ventilation and black caulking smeared across a balcony panel.
Timing before settlement
Inspect before settlement so the developer has a clear list while the balance is still unpaid.
Building bond
Residential apartment buildings in NSW generally carry a strata building bond. Defects in common property are dealt with through that process.
Recheck before you settle
A return visit confirms the items you were promised were completed.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Castle Hill. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
