Moving Into an Apartment: Lifts, Access and Parking

Book the service lift early

Most managed buildings require a booked lift window, often in two or three hour blocks, and popular slots on Fridays and at month end go quickly. Book as soon as you have a date, and give the booked window to your removalist.

Certificates of currency and building rules

Building managers commonly ask for a copy of the removalist's insurance before allowing access, along with agreed protection of lift walls, floors and lobby areas. Ask the building what it needs and pass the request on when you book your move.

Loading docks and height clearance

A dock with 2.5 metres of clearance will not take a large removal truck. Height clearance decides the vehicle, and getting it wrong means shuttling furniture from the street. Check the signed clearance and tell us the number.

Parking and street access

• Check whether the loading zone has a time limit.
• Ask whether a council permit is required for kerbside loading.
• Note any low branches, bollards or narrow entries on the approach.
• Confirm which entry the lift is closest to, so the carry is as short as possible.

Plan the carry, not just the drive

In apartment moves, most of the time is spent between the truck and the door, not on the road. Anything that shortens the carry — a closer bay, a propped lobby door, a cleared corridor — makes the day faster and cheaper.