Moving into or out of a Brisbane apartment involves a set of logistical steps that a house move doesn’t — freight lift bookings, body corporate notifications, parking permits, strata by-laws, and bond-clean coordination. Miss one step and your moving day can unravel quickly. This checklist covers everything you need to handle before, during, and after your Brisbane apartment move.
4–6 weeks before your move
- Book your removalists — apartment moves in Brisbane book out fast, particularly on weekends and end-of-month dates. Book Relocation Rangers online or call (07) 3472 7573 at least 3–4 weeks ahead.
- Notify your body corporate or building manager — many Brisbane apartment buildings require advance notice of moving dates and have specific requirements around lift use, moving windows, and truck access. Check your lease and strata by-laws.
- Book the freight lift — if your building has a dedicated freight or service lift, book it for your move date as soon as your moving date is confirmed. Demand is high around end-of-month dates.
- Check parking and access — identify where our truck can park (loading zone, street parking, or building loading dock) and whether a parking permit is required. For inner-city and CBD apartments, contact Brisbane City Council or your local authority about temporary parking permits for removal trucks.
- Advise your utility providers — contact your electricity, gas, water, internet, and phone providers with your moving date and new address. Final meter reads and connection arrangements need to be booked in advance.
- Start decluttering — apartment moves often reveal how much storage space you’ve been using creatively. Sort through wardrobes, under-bed storage, and balcony areas and decide what’s not coming with you.
2–3 weeks before your move
- Order packing materials — boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and wardrobe cartons. We offer packing bundles from $258. See our packing guides for room-by-room advice.
- Confirm freight lift dimensions with us — send us the lift dimensions (height, width, depth) so we can confirm whether your large items (lounges, beds, wardrobes, dining tables) will fit. Some older Brisbane apartment lifts are small.
- Measure doorways and internal spaces — if you’re moving into a new apartment, measure key doorways and the lift at the new building. This prevents the frustration of discovering a piece of furniture doesn’t fit on moving day.
- Arrange storage if needed — if your settlement date doesn’t align with your lease end date, our Brisbane storage is available from $150/week per 20ft container.
- Update your address — electoral roll, bank accounts, Medicare, driver’s licence, subscriptions, and online shopping accounts all need your new address.
1 week before your move
- Pack non-essential items — books, artwork, out-of-season clothing, and rarely-used kitchen equipment can be packed a week early. Label every box with the room and a brief description of contents.
- Confirm move-day logistics with our team — we’ll confirm arrival time, access arrangements, lift booking, and any specific instructions for your building.
- Book your bond clean — schedule the bond clean for the day after your furniture has moved out. Some property managers in Queensland require a professional clean with a receipt for full bond return.
- Notify building management at your new address — confirm the freight lift is booked and that the move-in window is still available.
- Photograph your current apartment — take dated photos of every room (walls, floors, windows, appliances) before you begin packing. This protects you in any bond dispute and gives you a reference for the condition report.
Moving day
- Protect floors at both properties — lay drop sheets or floor protection at the lift entrance, along corridors, and at the main entry to both apartments. Some building by-laws require floor protection and may hold your lift bond if flooring is damaged.
- Be present or have a representative on-site — someone with authority to direct the crew needs to be at both the loading and delivery address. This is the most common source of delay on moving day.
- Supervise the freight lift — keep the lift door held (using the lift hold function or a coordinator) during the load-out and load-in to avoid the lift being called to other floors by other residents.
- Do a final sweep — before leaving the property for the last time, check every cupboard, wardrobe, bathroom cabinet, under the beds, the balcony storage, the communal storage cage, and the car space.
- Complete the outgoing condition report — sign off the condition report with the property manager (or complete the outgoing inspection) and return all keys, fobs, and access cards. Get a receipt.
After your move
- Complete the incoming condition report — at the new apartment, complete the incoming condition report within the timeframe specified in your lease (typically 3 days in Queensland). Note any existing damage thoroughly.
- Check utilities are connected — confirm electricity, internet, and gas are connected and functioning before your first night.
- Register for building amenities — register your car for the building car park, request access fobs for gym/pool/common areas, and introduce yourself to the building manager if there are any outstanding items.
- Review your storage needs — apartment storage is typically limited. Consider whether a storage unit is worth continuing if you still have overflow items that won’t fit.
Frequently asked questions — apartment moving checklist Brisbane
What is a move-in condition report and do I need one for an apartment?
Yes — a condition report (also called a property condition report or entry report) is a document that records the state of the apartment at the time you move in. It is a standard tenancy requirement in Queensland and you should complete it carefully, noting any existing damage, and return it to your property manager within the required timeframe (usually 3 days of moving in).
How do I book a freight lift for my apartment building in Brisbane?
Contact your building manager or body corporate — usually via the property manager or a number listed in the building — to reserve the freight lift for your moving day. Most buildings require at least 48–72 hours notice and some have a fee or bond for lift use. Our crew needs lift dimensions in advance for large items.
Can removalists park on the street outside an apartment building in Brisbane?
In most cases, our truck can park on the street or in a loading bay. For CBD or inner-city apartments with no loading zone, we may need a permit. Contact Brisbane City Council or your local authority in advance. Let us know when you book and we’ll advise on options.
How much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment in Brisbane?
A typical 1-bedroom apartment move takes 2–3 hours for a 2-person crew. At $195/hr plus a $14 fuel surcharge, a 2-hour minimum move would cost around $404. A 3-hour move around $599. See our pricing page for a detailed breakdown.
What should I do about bond cleaning for my apartment?
Bond cleaning (or end-of-lease cleaning) should be booked separately from your removalist. We recommend booking your bond clean after your furniture has been moved out — typically the day after moving day. Some property managers require a professional clean with a receipt. See our guide on bond cleaning for more detail.
Do I need to notify my body corporate before moving?
Yes. Most Brisbane apartment buildings require advance notice of move-in and move-out dates to the body corporate or building manager. Some buildings have specific moving day windows, time restrictions, or requirements for lift use. Check your lease and the building’s by-laws or contact the property manager.
What do I do if the lift breaks down on moving day?
Call your building manager immediately and contact us. For upper-floor apartments, if the lift is unavailable, we’ll assess whether a stair carry is feasible — this may take longer and affect pricing. It’s worth checking whether the building has a service history for lift reliability, particularly in older Brisbane apartment buildings.
Ready to book your Brisbane apartment move?
Our team is experienced with Brisbane apartment moves of all sizes — from studio apartments in the CBD to large multi-level units in Bulimba and New Farm. Book online now or call (07) 3472 7573. See our pricing page, full service areas, and our moving guides for more practical advice.