Moving into or out of a Toronto condo or apartment comes down to three things: booking the service elevator early, sorting out where the truck will park, and following your building's move rules to the letter. Get those right and the move itself usually goes smoothly. Miss one, and you can lose your time slot, pay extra, or end up carrying furniture down the stairs. Here's how to plan each piece.
Start With Your Building's Move Rules
Every condo corporation and apartment building sets its own rules, and they can vary a lot from one tower to the next. The first step is to get a copy of the move-in and move-out rules from your property management office or concierge. Do this for both buildings: the one you're leaving and the one you're moving into.
Questions to ask property management
- How do I book the service elevator, and how far ahead?
- Which days and hours are moves allowed?
- Is there a deposit or fee for using the elevator? [VERIFY: amounts vary by building; confirm with management]
- Does the building need a certificate of insurance from the moving company?
- Where is the loading dock, and what is its height clearance?
- Do elevators need protective pads, and does the building provide them?
- Are there rules about using the front lobby or main elevators?
Treat the building's move rules like the plan for the day. Your movers should see them before they arrive.
Booking the Service Elevator
The service elevator is the single most important booking in a condo move. Many buildings only allow one move at a time, and popular slots, like weekends and the last few days of the month, fill up quickly.
- Book as soon as you have a confirmed moving date
- Get the booking confirmed in writing, with the time window
- Ask how long the booking lasts and whether you can extend it
- Share the time window with your moving company so they can plan arrival
- Make sure the booking at your new building lines up with travel time from the old one
If your two bookings are on the same day, leave a realistic gap between them. A move across downtown in rush hour can take much longer than the map suggests.
Parking and Loading: Where Will the Truck Go?
Parking is often the hardest part of a downtown move. A moving truck needs space close to the loading area, and every extra metre of carrying adds time.
Loading docks
Many newer towers have a loading dock for moves. Check the height clearance before moving day, because a full-size moving truck may not fit under some underground docks. Tell your mover the clearance so they can bring the right truck.
Street parking
If there's no dock, the truck may need to park on the street. On some Toronto streets you may need a temporary permit to park a moving truck. [VERIFY: City of Toronto street-occupancy or temporary parking permit rules for moving trucks] Ask your building whether movers usually use a lay-by, a laneway or a side street, and pass that on to your crew.
Certificates of Insurance
A lot of condo buildings ask the moving company to provide a certificate of insurance before the move. It usually needs to name the condo corporation and sometimes the property management company. Requirements differ, so ask management for the exact wording and send it to your mover a few days ahead. Leaving this until moving morning is one of the most common reasons a move gets delayed at the front desk.
Protecting the Building and Your Belongings
Condo boards take damage to common areas seriously, and repairs can come out of your deposit. A professional crew will protect the route as well as your furniture.
- Elevator pads hung before loading starts
- Floor runners in hallways where needed
- Corner and door-frame protection on tight turns
- Furniture wrapped in blankets and stretch wrap
- Mattresses bagged and TVs boxed or wrapped
For tips on wrapping fragile items yourself, read our guide on how to pack fragile items, TVs and mattresses.
Measure Before You Move
Condo units are often smaller than the homes people are moving from, and hallways and elevators are tighter. A sofa that came in fine ten years ago might not fit in the new building's elevator.
- Measure the service elevator: height, width, depth and door opening
- Measure doorways and hallway turns in the new unit
- Measure your largest pieces: sofa, bed frame, dresser, dining table
- Decide what needs to be taken apart before moving day
If something won't fit, you have time to sell it, donate it or plan for junk removal rather than discovering the problem on moving day.
Your Condo Moving Day Timeline
- Two to four weeks before: get the building rules, book elevators at both buildings, request the insurance certificate.
- One week before: confirm bookings, share times and dock details with your movers, start packing.
- Day before: pack the last boxes, take apart furniture, set aside essentials and keys.
- Moving day: meet the crew, check in with concierge, walk the route, and do a final check of the unit.
We move condos and apartments across the city, including Downtown Toronto, Toronto, Etobicoke and North York. See our residential moving service and full-service Pack & Move option.
Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space
A lot of condo moves are also downsizing moves. If you're going from a house or a larger rental into a one- or two-bedroom unit, decide what's coming before you pack rather than after. Storage lockers in condo buildings are often small, and balconies usually can't be used for storage under building rules. Our guide to downsizing before you move can help you sort it out early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a condo service elevator?
As soon as you know your moving date. Popular days fill up quickly, especially weekends and the end of the month, and many buildings only allow one move at a time.
Do movers need a certificate of insurance for a condo move?
Many Toronto condo buildings ask for one. Check the exact requirements with property management and send them to your moving company a few days before the move.
What if my sofa doesn't fit in the elevator?
Measure the elevator and your furniture ahead of time. Some pieces can be taken apart; others may need to be carried by stairs if the building allows it, or replaced.
Can movers park on the street downtown?
It depends on the street and building. Ask your property manager where moving trucks usually park, and check whether a temporary permit is needed.
Planning a Condo Move?
Send us your building details and moving date, and we'll plan the crew, truck and timing around your elevator booking. Get a free quote today.
