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Stage 6 — Handover / TOP

Works complete, Temporary Occupation Permit obtained, retention clock starts.

Handover / TOP is the formal completion of the works. The Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) is obtained, the client takes possession, and the project shifts from building to closing out.

What happens here​

  • Site-walk and handover checklists are completed and signed off.
  • The TOP is obtained, which marks practical completion.
  • The retention clock starts: the first half of retention is typically released at this point, with the balance held until the end of the DLP. See Retention.

Your job at this stage​

Hand over cleanly. Walk the site with the client, capture every snag, and make sure the handover documentation is complete. A tidy handover is what earns you the first retention release and sets up a calm DLP.

What comes next​

The project moves into its Defects Liability Period.