Apartment & Condo Moving Guide

In This Guide

• How to check apartment and condo moving rules
• How to coordinate with building management
• How to reserve an elevator
• How to arrange parking and loading access
• How to prepare for stairs and other access limitations
• How to protect shared building spaces
• How to prepare your apartment before moving day
• What to confirm before the movers arrive

What Should You Check Before Moving Into or Out of an Apartment or Condo?

Start by contacting the building management, property manager, landlord, or homeowners association, depending on how your building is managed. Ask for the current moving requirements and find out whether there are specific days, hours, entrances, or procedures for moving.

Don't assume that rules are the same at your current and new buildings. Check both locations separately because each property may have different requirements for elevators, parking, loading areas, deposits, or move reservations.

Questions to Ask Building Management

• Are there designated moving days or hours?
• Do I need to reserve a moving elevator?
• Is a move-in or move-out reservation required?
• Where can the moving vehicle park?
• Is there a designated loading area?
• Is there a time limit for loading or unloading?
• Are there deposits, fees, or forms required?
• Are there rules for protecting floors, walls, doors, or common areas?
• Is there a specific entrance movers must use?

How Should You Coordinate With Building Management?

Once you understand the building's requirements, share the important details with everyone involved in the move. This may include your moving company, landlord, property manager, building staff, or anyone responsible for providing access.

Keep a written record of reservations, approved times, access instructions, and contact information. Having these details available can make it easier to resolve questions on moving day.

Keep Track of These Details

How Should You Reserve the Elevator?

Many apartment and condo buildings require residents to reserve a service or freight elevator for moving. The building may limit the number of reservations available each day or assign specific moving windows.

Ask management how the elevator reservation works and whether movers need to check in with the front desk or building staff. Confirm the reservation after it has been scheduled and keep the approved time available on moving day.

Elevator Reservation Checklist

• Ask whether a moving elevator is required.
• Find out how far in advance reservations must be made.
• Reserve the elevator for the approved moving window.
• Confirm whether there is a time limit.
• Ask where movers should enter the building.
• Confirm whether building staff needs to be present.
• Ask about required floor or wall protection.
• Share the reservation time with your moving team.

How Should You Handle Parking and Loading Areas?

A moving truck may need more space than a regular passenger vehicle, and not every apartment or condo property allows moving vehicles to park directly in front of the building. Find out where the truck can legally and safely stop before moving day.

If the designated loading area is some distance from the building entrance, let your moving team know. The distance between the truck and the apartment can affect how belongings need to be moved.

What to Confirm

• Where the moving vehicle should park.
• Whether a loading zone must be reserved.
• How long the vehicle can remain in the loading area.
• Whether permits or authorization are required.
• Which building entrance movers should use.
• Whether there are height, weight, or vehicle restrictions.
• Whether street parking or loading rules apply outside the property.

How Should You Prepare for Stairs and Limited Access?

Not every apartment or condo move has direct elevator access. Stairs, narrow hallways, small doorways, tight turns, and long walks from the loading area can all affect how belongings move through the building.

Walk through the access route before moving day if possible. Identify anything that could make it difficult to move large furniture or other oversized belongings and communicate those conditions in advance.

Access Checklist

• Check the building entrance.
• Measure narrow doorways when necessary.
• Check hallway width and tight turns.
• Identify stairs along the moving route.
• Check elevator dimensions if large furniture is involved.
• Identify long distances between parking and the entrance.
• Point out unusually large or heavy belongings.

How Should You Protect Shared Building Spaces?

Apartment and condo moves often involve shared hallways, elevators, lobbies, entrances, and other common areas. Follow the building's requirements for protecting these spaces and avoid leaving boxes, furniture, or packing materials where they could block access.

Ask management what protection is required before moving day. Some buildings may require specific floor coverings, wall protection, elevator padding, or other procedures during a move.

Shared Space Checklist

• Follow the building's floor and wall protection requirements.
• Keep hallways and entrances clear whenever possible.
• Don't block fire exits or building access points.
• Use designated elevators and entrances.
• Keep loading areas clear of unnecessary belongings.
• Remove packing materials from common areas.
• Report any accidental damage to the appropriate building staff.

How Should You Prepare Your Apartment or Condo Before Moving Day?

Once the building arrangements are confirmed, prepare the apartment itself. Finish as much packing as possible, clear pathways, and make sure boxes and furniture can be moved through the home without unnecessary obstacles.

If you're moving out, check closets, cabinets, storage areas, and other spaces where belongings may be easy to overlook. If you're moving in, make sure you know where large furniture and major boxes should go before unloading begins.

Apartment Preparation Checklist

• Finish packing as much as possible before the movers arrive.
• Label boxes with their destination rooms.
• Clear hallways and pathways.
• Keep doors and entrances accessible.
• Separate items that are traveling with you.
• Protect items that require special handling.
• Identify where major furniture should be placed.
• Complete a final walkthrough before leaving.

What Should You Keep With You During an Apartment or Condo Move?

Some belongings are better kept with you rather than placed in the moving truck. This is especially important for items you'll need immediately or belongings that are difficult to replace.

• Identification and important documents.
• Medications.
• Keys and access cards.
• Wallet and other personal essentials.
• Valuables and important small items.
• Phone, chargers, and other necessary electronics.
• Basic toiletries and a change of clothes.
• Items you'll need for the first night.

What Should You Confirm With the Moving Team?

Before moving day, make sure the moving team has the information they need to reach the property and work within its requirements. Share details about the building entrance, elevator, parking, stairs, and any unusual access conditions.

If anything changes after scheduling the move, communicate the change as soon as possible. A building rule or access restriction discovered at the last minute can affect the moving process.

Information to Share

• Building name and complete address.
• Approved moving date and time.
• Moving entrance or loading area.
• Elevator reservation details.
• Parking instructions.
• Number of stairs or floors.
• Long carrying distances.
• Large or unusually shaped belongings.
• Building-specific access or protection requirements.

What Should You Do on Moving Day?

On moving day, keep the building's requirements in mind from the moment the moving team arrives. Make sure the correct entrance and loading area are being used, confirm elevator access, and keep shared areas clear.

Stay available to answer questions about your belongings and the building. You don't need to manage every step, but being available can help resolve access or placement questions quickly.

Moving Day Checklist

1. Confirm the moving team has arrived at the correct location.
2. Verify parking and loading access.
3. Confirm elevator access if applicable.
4. Make sure required building protection is in place.
5. Keep personal essentials separate.
6. Point out fragile or oversized belongings.
7. Keep hallways and shared spaces clear.
8. Check rooms and storage areas as they become empty.
9. Complete a final walkthrough before leaving.

What Common Apartment and Condo Moving Problems Should You Avoid?

Many apartment and condo moving problems come from access details that were never confirmed. A little coordination with building management and the moving team can prevent avoidable delays.

• Not reserving the elevator: Some buildings require a reservation and may have limited moving windows.
• Assuming street parking is available: Check where the moving vehicle is permitted to park and load.
• Ignoring building moving hours: Your preferred moving time may not be allowed by the property.
• Not checking the access route: Stairs, narrow hallways, tight turns, and small elevators can affect large furniture.
• Forgetting shared-space requirements: Ask about floor, wall, door, and elevator protection before moving day.
• Leaving packing materials behind: Keep common areas clean and follow the building's disposal procedures.
• Failing to communicate changes: Tell the moving team about new access instructions or restrictions as soon as possible.

What Should You Do Before the Movers Arrive?

Use the final hours before the move to confirm the details that affect access rather than trying to solve them during loading. Have your reservations, building instructions, and contact information available.

1. Confirm the moving date and arrival time.
2. Verify the building's approved moving hours.
3. Confirm the elevator reservation.
4. Check parking and loading arrangements.
5. Make sure access cards, keys, and required permissions are available.
6. Clear pathways inside the apartment.
7. Separate belongings that should travel with you.
8. Keep building management's contact information available.
9. Confirm any special handling or access instructions with the moving team.