A newly delivered apartment may feel complete when the keys arrive, but an entire residential project is not truly settled until shared facilities are accounted for and their management is clear. The transition from a developer-managed site to an owners' association can affect lift reliability, fire safety, recurring charges and long-term resale confidence. Buyers should understand the **common-area handover**, not just the apartment's individual handover.
Confirm the legal structure first
A housing complex can be governed by an applicable apartment-ownership framework, co-operative structure or another documented management arrangement. Do not assume that a WhatsApp residents group is the legally recognised body. Review the declaration, by-laws, membership rules and ownership or usage rights relating to common areas. The West Bengal Apartment Ownership Act outlines common property and common expenses for buildings brought within its framework. Have a lawyer explain which documents apply to your specific project.
Financial records that should move with control
Ask for a clear statement of owners' maintenance deposits, corpus or sinking funds, interest earned, vendor advances, unpaid bills and association receivables. Separate amounts collected from residents from amounts still owed by the developer or owners of unsold units. Ideally, compare bank statements, invoices, contracts and an independent reconciliation. Clarify the dates from which residents bear ongoing maintenance and whether the budget includes insurance, equipment servicing and future major repairs.
Technical handover goes beyond the clubhouse
Request approved common-area drawings, as-built service plans where available, operating manuals, warranties and annual maintenance agreements for elevators, generators, pumps, water-treatment equipment, fire pumps, alarms, electrical panels and surveillance systems. Confirm the responsible vendor and escalation contacts. Verify that statutory clearances and inspection records required for the building are available, and distinguish municipal completion or occupancy approval from informal assurances. A maintenance team should know where isolation switches and critical valves are located.
Shared rights and pending works
Check the legal status of parking areas, terraces, access roads, common entrances, landscaping, recreational spaces and any shops or facilities promoted as part of the development. List **unfinished works** with photographs, contractor responsibility and documented target dates. If the project is phased, verify which facilities are genuinely delivered and which remain tied to later construction. A promise made in a brochure is not a substitute for the signed agreement, approved plan or governing documents.
