An apartment move involves more than choosing a date. The building may control the elevator, loading area, insurance paperwork, move hours, floor protection, and vendor access.
Use this checklist for planning. Always follow the current rules from the city, property manager, lease, and signed moving agreement.
Four weeks before the move
Notify both properties
Ask the origin and destination management offices for:
- Approved moving days and hours.
- Elevator reservation procedures.
- Loading-dock, alley, or garage instructions.
- Certificate-of-insurance requirements.
- Vendor registration or security check-in.
- Floor, wall, door, and elevator protection rules.
- Deposit, key, access-card, and inspection procedures.
Get the requirements in writing and send them to the mover.
Check curb and truck access
Cities use different systems for temporary no-parking signs, moving-vehicle permits, meters, containers, and public right-of-way use. Look up both addresses on the official municipal website.
Confirm:
- Truck length or height limits.
- Garage and loading-bay clearance.
- The distance from the legal truck position to the unit.
- Parking-district and street-sweeping restrictions.
- Sign posting and enforcement lead time.
Three weeks before the move
Measure the route
Measure large furniture and the tightest points along the path:
- Unit doors.
- Hallway turns.
- Stair width and landings.
- Elevator doors and interior.
- Loading and service entrances.
Decide what must be disassembled and whether any item needs special equipment or a different route.
Build the inventory
Count boxes by room and list furniture, appliances, outdoor property, storage units, and specialty items. Mark what the mover will pack and what will be owner-packed.
Two weeks before the move
Confirm packing and restricted items
Ask which items the mover will not transport. Arrange separate handling for medication, important documents, valuables, perishables, hazardous products, and anything required by the agreement to stay with the owner.
Prepare neighbors and shared spaces
Avoid blocking hallways, fire exits, elevators, driveways, or accessible routes. Follow building rules for discarded boxes and unwanted furniture rather than leaving material in common areas.
One week before the move
Reconfirm the date, arrival window, addresses, inventory, services, parking, elevator, contact people, and payment method.
Create a personal essentials kit with identification, medications, chargers, documents, keys, access cards, basic tools, cleaning supplies, water, and items needed the first night.
Moving day
- Meet building or security staff as required.
- Verify the approved truck position.
- Walk through the inventory and access path with the crew lead.
- Keep children and pets away from the active work area.
- Photograph the empty unit after loading.
- Complete the building’s final inspection and key procedure.
After the move
California DMV says residents must report a change of address within ten days. Use the California DMV change-of-address service and separately update employers, banks, insurers, subscriptions, schools, medical providers, voter information, and other records.
Inspect the delivery, compare items with the inventory, and keep all moving documents and receipts.