Moving in Toronto Condos: Elevators, Parking & Building Requirements

Reserve Your Moving Elevator Early

One of the first things you should do after confirming your moving date is contact your condominium's property management or concierge. Many Toronto condo buildings require residents to reserve a service or freight elevator for moving. Elevator availability can be especially limited around weekends, month-end and other popular moving dates. Once your elevator is confirmed, provide the exact reservation window to your moving company.

• How far in advance should the elevator be reserved?
• What moving dates are available?
• What time slots are available?
• How long is each reservation?
• Is there a reservation fee?
• Is there a refundable damage deposit?
• Does the building provide elevator padding?
• Are there separate procedures for moving in and moving out?

What If You're Moving From One Condo to Another?

A condo-to-condo move requires coordination with two buildings. You'll need to confirm the move-out requirements at your current building and the move-in requirements at your new building. That may mean two elevator reservations, two sets of building rules and two different loading arrangements. For example, your current building may provide an elevator from 9:00 a.m. to noon, while your new building may provide one from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Your moving company should know both reservation windows in advance so the crew and transportation schedule can be planned accordingly.

Check Your Building's Approved Moving Hours

Having an elevator doesn't necessarily mean you can move at any time. Condominium corporations may restrict moves and large deliveries to specific days and hours. Some buildings may restrict evening, weekend, Sunday or holiday moves. Don't assume your building's rules are the same as another Toronto condo you've lived in. Before booking your moving company, ask management about permitted days, earliest start time, latest finish time, whether weekends are permitted, and any restrictions on statutory holidays. Your moving company's scheduled arrival should be coordinated with the building's approved moving window.

Ask About Moving Truck Parking

Parking is one of the most important logistical considerations for a Toronto condo move. Depending on the building, movers may have access to a designated loading dock, loading bay, service entrance, designated moving-truck area, street loading, or another building-approved location. Ask your building management exactly where the moving truck is permitted to park. This is particularly important in downtown Toronto, where parking space can be limited. The distance between the truck and the elevator also matters. If movers have to transport every piece of furniture through a long loading dock, garage, hallway or outdoor path, the move may take longer than if the truck can park immediately beside the service entrance.

Check Loading Dock and Garage Clearance

Don't assume every moving truck will fit into your building's loading area. Some condominium buildings have underground or covered loading areas with height, length or access restrictions. Before moving day, ask management about maximum vehicle height, maximum vehicle length, loading dock dimensions, garage clearance, and which entrance the moving truck should use. Provide this information to your moving company before the move. If the truck cannot enter the loading area, an alternative parking and loading arrangement may need to be made.

Does Your Condo Require a Certificate of Insurance?

Some Toronto condominium buildings require documentation showing that the moving company carries liability insurance before allowing movers to access the building. Requirements vary by property. Ask your property manager whether a Certificate of Insurance (COI) or other proof of insurance is required. If it is, request the building's exact insurance requirements and send them to your moving company well before moving day. Don't wait until the moving crew arrives to find out that management requires documentation.

Ask About Elevator or Damage Deposits

Your building may require a refundable security or damage deposit when reserving the elevator. The deposit is generally intended to cover potential damage to elevators, hallways, doors or other common areas during the move. The amount, payment method and refund procedure are determined by the individual condominium corporation or property manager.

• Is there a deposit?
• How much is it?
• How must it be paid?
• Is there a separate non-refundable moving or elevator fee?
• When is the deposit returned?
• Is a post-move inspection required?

Protecting Elevators and Common Areas

Condo management may have rules regarding protection of common areas during a move. This can include elevator padding, floor protection or restrictions on which hallways and entrances movers may use. In some buildings, management installs elevator protection. In others, specific requirements may be communicated to the resident or moving company. Ask who is responsible for preparing the elevator and moving route before the crew arrives. Your movers should also be told about any special building instructions in advance.

Measure Large Furniture Before Moving Day

A large sofa may fit perfectly in your condo but still be difficult to get into the service elevator. Before moving day, consider measuring oversized furniture such as sectional sofas, king-size bed components, large dining tables, cabinets, desks, exercise equipment, and large artwork or mirrors. If you're concerned about an item, compare its dimensions with your doorways, hallways and service elevator. Some furniture may need to be disassembled before it can be safely moved through the building. Tell your moving company about oversized or unusually heavy items when requesting your quote.

Don't Forget Your Storage Locker

Toronto condo residents often have belongings stored somewhere other than their unit. If you have a storage locker, tell your movers before moving day. Provide information about which floor the locker is on, whether elevator access is available, how far it is from the loading area, approximately how many items are stored there, and whether you have the required keys or access fob. A storage locker full of boxes, bicycles and seasonal belongings can add a meaningful amount of work to a move.

Building Access: Keys, Fobs and Concierge Check-In

Confirm how your movers will enter the property. Depending on the building, the crew may need to check in with the concierge or security desk before accessing the service elevator or loading dock. Make sure you have any necessary keys, access fobs, garage remotes, elevator authorization, and loading dock access. Keep these items with you on moving day rather than packing them inside a box.

Tell Your Movers About Long Carries

A moving truck parked outside a building doesn't necessarily mean the movers are close to your unit. Some Toronto condominiums have substantial distances between the loading area and elevator. Your movers may need to travel through a loading dock, service corridor, underground garage and elevator before reaching your floor. Provide accurate information about these access conditions when requesting your estimate.

Coordinate Both Buildings Before a Long-Distance Move

Building coordination becomes even more important when your condo move is also a long-distance relocation. For example, if you're moving Toronto → Montreal, Montreal → Toronto, Toronto → Ottawa, Toronto → another Ontario city, or another province → Toronto, your delivery elevator should be arranged around the expected delivery schedule. Tell your moving company about any strict elevator reservation windows as early as possible.

Toronto Condo Moving Checklist

Before moving day, make sure you have confirmed the items below. If you're moving between two condos, complete this checklist for both properties.

• Moving date with building management
• Service elevator reservation
• Elevator start and end times
• Permitted moving hours
• Loading dock or parking location
• Truck clearance restrictions
• Building insurance requirements
• Any required deposits or fees
• Elevator and common-area protection requirements
• Storage locker access
• Oversized furniture
• Keys and access fobs
• Destination-building requirements

Why Building Information Matters to Your Moving Company

Accurate building information helps your moving company determine how your move should be planned. A two-bedroom condo with direct loading-dock access and a reserved service elevator can have very different requirements from a similar two-bedroom condo with street parking, a long walk to the elevator and a limited reservation window. When requesting your moving estimate, provide as much information as possible about parking, elevators, stairs, loading access, moving hours, storage lockers and specialty items. This helps avoid surprises on moving day.

Toronto Condo Moving Services

Keep Moving provides residential moving services for condos, apartments, townhomes and houses throughout Toronto and the GTA. Depending on the requirements of your move, services may include local moving, long-distance moving, packing services, furniture protection, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and loading and unloading. We recommend confirming all building-specific requirements directly with your condominium management before your moving date.

Planning a Condo Move in Toronto?

Whether you're moving into a downtown Toronto high-rise, relocating between GTA condos or leaving Toronto for another city, proper planning can make moving day significantly easier. When requesting your quote, send us your pickup address, delivery address, moving date, condo size, elevator reservation times, loading and parking information, approximate inventory, and additional services needed.