Moving to a new apartment can take some different planning than a regular house relocation. You'll have to handle elevator bookings, street parking permits, building rules, and getting a Certificate of Insurance. You'll also need to document your unit's condition and carefully measure your space to make sure your furniture will fit, which isn’t usually a task you need to complete for a home.
At HireAHelper, we've spent over a decade connecting people with trusted, affordable moving labor to remove the stress from complex city moves, so we know what it takes to move into an apartment. In this guide, we break down what you should know about moving into a city apartment, including how to avoid unexpected costs and understand your building's lease terms and regulations.
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Kevin Kato is a travel and home services writer with over 20 years of experience as a professional mover.
Having been both a professional mover and a crew leader, Kevin has seen it all in the world of moving: hectic moves, unique packing, bizarre accident claims, truck mishaps, or just run-of-the-mill moves as advertised; there is virtually no situation Kevin hasn't managed. Today, Kevin provides his insights as Kevin The Mover for professional movers and "movees" everywhere.
Most apartment complexes have specific dates and times that you’re allowed to move in. This is usually for reasons around the lifestyle and rhythm of the building to make sure your move disrupts deliveries, traffic, and other residents as little as possible.
This may mean you have to move during a weekday when foot and car traffic is lessened, or you may only be allowed to move during specific time slots due to the building’s quiet hours.
Make sure you check your building's move-in policies well in advance. This helps when booking movers and is especially necessary if you have other time constraints for getting everything moved in.
Homes often have driveways or more obvious streetside parking than apartments, and this is especially true if you’re moving to the heart of a big city. Ask your management office about hours, time limits, permits, and where you need to park. If you need a permit, apply as soon as possible so processing times don't delay your move-in.
Some buildings offer a rear service entrance or loading dock. This can make things easier since you have a designated place to park, but like with other tasks, you may have to schedule a block of time to use it.
Before moving day, ask your building management about how and where unloading works. Some apartment complexes require you to unload onto a staging area and move your truck away from the loading dock or service entrance as quickly as possible.
Others won't allow you to leave items out, or they'll require you to keep clear paths for egress. Don't forget to inform your moving team of any rules or requirements so they know what they’re allowed to do too.
Many buildings set specific rules for how to dispose of moving boxes and packing materials. Even if a recycling bin is available, they may ask that moving debris not be placed there to prevent it from filling up too quickly.
Your building manager can tell you the preferred way to dispose of boxes. You can also try giving away empty boxes on social media groups. Or, if you unpack quickly, the movers might be willing to haul the boxes away for you.
You don’t want to be in the situation of paying to move your big sectional couch only to find you physically can’t get it into your apartment. To prevent this, you’ll need to compare the exact dimensions of your largest items against every space they'll pass through, from the elevator to your front door.
First, check the depth, width, and height of the elevator car and its door opening. If you're in a walk-up, measure the stairwell landings and note any sharp turns. Then measure your unit's doorways and any narrow interior corners your furniture has to clear.
If a couch or desk won't fit, check if you can safely take it apart. You can also ask the property manager if the building has a freight elevator, which offers more clearance.
Use this simple checklist to measure key items before moving into a city apartment:
Don't forget to measure the main lobby doors. Even if an item easily fits inside your actual unit, it still has to pass through the front entrance of the property first.
Many buildings require floor protection to prevent damage in shared areas, especially those with hardwood or tile flooring. This is usually Masonite, a wooden hardboard that can prevent damage to the floor while you're shifting furniture. If you need it, make sure your movers have one on hand. Some buildings may have hardboards available to lend you, and some require additional protection in doorways and stairwells, so ask ahead of time.
Many apartment buildings and other homes require a Certificate of Insurance. This isn’t insurance for your items, but instead is a document that assures management that your movers have the proper coverage in case they cause damage or get injured on the job.
Ask property management if they require a Certificate of Insurance (COI). If you need this document, tell your movers right away. They need time to get the COI form from the office and process the paperwork with their own insurance company.
Uninsured movers cannot provide an official COI, which can result in management denying your move-in on the spot. When you book through HireAHelper's platform, you're choosing from fully vetted and insured moving companies that can supply a COI and meet building requirements, so your relocation stays on schedule.
You should document your new apartment so you have a record of its condition before your belongings are inside and to prove that you didn't cause any existing damage.
Walk through every room with your phone camera before opening a single box. Take wide shots of each room, then close-ups of any scuffs, stains, cracks, or worn spots you notice. Open cabinets, closets, and drawers, and photograph those too.
Once you're done, email these files to your landlord or property management right away. This creates a timestamped record showing the unit's condition before you moved in, which protects your security deposit down the road.
Inspect and photograph these 5 key areas as soon as you enter:
We also recommend saving these records in a secure cloud folder so you can easily access them when your lease ends.
To make sure the first night in your new place is comfortable, you'll need to set up internet and other utilities in advance. It's also a good idea to pack a box with the essentials for your first night, so they don't get buried under the rest of your belongings.
When you're moving into a city apartment, those two steps make the biggest difference on move-in day. Here's how to handle both.
To find out which internet providers serve your building, contact your property manager or landlord well before your move. Once you know your options, schedule an installation appointment before your move-in day so your connection works right away. We recommend making the appointment three to one days before, but not on moving day, so your movers aren’t getting in the way of the utility techs, or vice versa.
Keep in mind that some multi-unit properties sign exclusivity agreements with a single provider. This means that the internet company you used at your old address might not even be an option at your new apartment.
Packing a clearly labeled first-night essentials box prevents you from searching through dozens of sealed boxes after an exhausting move to find your electric toothbrush or phone charger. Keep this box with you in your personal vehicle or separate from the main load so it stays accessible throughout the day.
Be sure to include at least these items:
City apartments often have smaller floor plans that leave little room to spread out unboxed items, so you likely won't unpack everything on day one. An essentials box keeps you comfortable while the rest of your move waits until you're ready for it.
There's plenty more to know to make your move seamless. Check with your apartment complex about common rules like:
Finally, quickly check your lease for daily living rules before you settle in. You'll want to understand the building's guest policies, valet trash pickup schedules, and package handling rules.
At HireAHelper, we understand that moving into a city apartment presents unique logistical challenges. Over the past two decades, our marketplace has facilitated 1 million successful moves, earning an average customer rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
On our platform, you can easily find and book experienced local movers who understand building rules, elevator reservations, and Certificate of Insurance requirements. Our goal is to make your city move affordable and hassle-free.
Ready to make your move as smooth as possible? Check out our moving checklist to make sure you have all the necessary supplies, such as dollies, stretch wrap, and moving blankets.
Additionally, if you're moving on a narrow city street or to the top of a towering apartment building, let us know. We make budgeting for apartment moves easy by providing clear, upfront quotes from local moving companies. Compare services and book trusted, vetted, and highly rated movers through HireAHelper's online platform.
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