Moving in or out of a strata building in Sydney

What the rules actually say

Every NSW strata scheme has its own by-laws. Many older buildings still use the model by-laws, which include one about moving: you need to tell the owners corporation (in practice the strata committee or building manager) before you move furniture or large objects through common property, so they can protect it.

Newer by-law sets may not mention moving at all, but most buildings still have house rules for lifts, loading docks and moving hours. The building manager or strata managing agent can tell you exactly what applies, so ask them first.

Booking the lift

• Ask if there’s a goods lift or a lift that can be reserved, and book it as soon as you have a date.
• Most buildings fit protective padding to the lift for moves. Ask whether they install it or whether you need to arrange it.
• Buildings often allow moves only on weekdays or within set hours, and some charge a refundable bond or a booking fee.
• If you’re moving between two buildings, book both lifts for the same day and leave a gap for the drive.

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Loading docks and car parks

• Check whether removalists can use the loading dock, and for how long. Docks are often shared with deliveries and garbage collection.
• Check the height. Many basement car parks are too low for a removal truck. Ours is a 4.5-tonne truck and needs about 3.3m, so a low car park means loading from the street.
• Ask where the nearest legal stopping spot is if the truck can’t use the dock.

Street parking

Where there’s no dock, the truck needs a legal spot as close to the entrance as possible. Clearways, bus zones and permit-only streets are common around Sydney apartment buildings. If your street is tight, ask your council whether they offer a temporary parking arrangement for removal trucks, and give them a couple of weeks’ notice. On the day, holding a spot with a car until the truck arrives saves real time.

Insurance certificates

Many building managers ask for the removalist’s public liability certificate before they’ll confirm a booking. A reputable removalist will send it straight to them. Ours carries $20M public liability and $250K goods in transit cover.

Protecting common property

• Take photos of the lift, corridors and doorways before the move, in case of any question later.
• Doors and lift walls should be padded and floors protected where furniture is carried.
• Don’t leave boxes, packaging or unwanted furniture in common areas or the bin room. Take them away or book a council clean-up.
• Return keys, fobs and access cards to the building manager or agent as agreed.

Your strata moving checklist

• Two to three weeks before: ask the building manager for the moving rules, then book the lift and dock.
• Send the removalist the booking times, the building contact and any access instructions.
• Ask the removalist to send their insurance certificate to the building.
• Check the car park height and the closest legal parking.
• The day before: confirm the booking, the lift padding and the access details.
• On the day: keep the lift and route clear, and photograph common areas before and after.