Short answer: Before moving in or out of a Perth apartment, contact your strata manager at least one to two weeks ahead to book the lift, ask about moving hours and lift padding, and arrange where the truck can park. Under WA’s standard strata by-laws, you must give the council of owners notice before moving furniture through common property, and you can’t park on common property without written approval.
Why do Perth apartment moves need extra planning?
A house move is mostly about you and your removalist. An apartment move also involves your strata company, your building manager and every neighbour who shares the lift.
Most apartment buildings in Perth are strata schemes governed by the Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA). Unless a building has replaced them, the default Schedule 2 by-laws apply. By-law 9 says an owner or occupier must not move furniture or large objects through common property “unless the owner or occupier has first given to the council sufficient notice”, so the council can send someone to supervise (Strata Titles Act 1985, Schedule 2).
In practice, that means lifts, foyers, corridors, car parks and driveways are all shared spaces with rules attached. Many newer buildings in East Perth, South Perth, Applecross and Northbridge add their own by-laws on top, such as set moving hours, a refundable bond for lift damage or a ban on weekend moves.
Getting those rules wrong on the day can mean a truck that can’t park, a lift that’s booked by someone else, or a damage bill from the strata company. All of these also add hours to your move.
What should you ask your strata manager before moving?
Send your strata or building manager an email as soon as you have a moving date, and get the answers in writing. These are the questions that matter most:
| Ask About | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Lift Booking | Most buildings let you reserve a lift for a set period. Without a booking, your removalists may need to wait for other residents to finish using it. |
| Lift Padding or Protection | Many buildings require protective blankets or padding inside lifts. Check whether the building supplies them or your removalist needs to bring them. |
| Permitted Moving Hours | Some buildings restrict moves to weekdays or set hours, such as 8 am to 5 pm. Others may prohibit Sunday moves. |
| Moving Bond or Fee | Some buildings charge a refundable bond to cover potential damage to lifts, walls and doors during the move. |
| Loading Bay or Truck Parking | Confirm where the removal truck can park and whether it fits under the car park height restriction. |
| Access Cards and Fobs | Make sure you have working access cards or fobs for the lift, car park and loading dock for the entire moving period. |
| Rubbish and Boxes | Ask where empty boxes and packaging materials can go. Leaving them in shared bin rooms may breach building by-laws. |
Where can the removalist truck park?
Parking is the most common problem on apartment moves in Perth. Standard WA by-laws say you can’t park or stand a vehicle on common property without written approval from the strata company, so don’t assume the truck can sit in the visitor bays or the driveway.
Your options are usually:
- The building’s loading dock or bay, if it has one and you’ve booked it.
- A street loading zone close to the entrance. Check the signed hours and time limits.
- A council permit to reserve street space. Requirements differ between councils such as the City of Perth, City of Vincent and City of South Perth, so call your local council at least two weeks ahead.
Tell your removalist the height clearance of any car park entrance. A 6-tonne truck usually won’t fit into an underground car park, so the crew will need a spot at street level.
How much longer does an apartment move take?
Expect an apartment move to take longer than a house move of the same size. Every load has to travel through a corridor, into a lift, down and out to the truck. The difference between a booked lift with the truck at the door and a shared lift with the truck 50 metres away can easily be an hour or more on a 2-bedroom move.
If you’re paying an hourly rate, the time you spend arranging access beforehand comes straight off your bill.
Perth apartment moving checklist
Two to three weeks before
- Book your removalist and tell them the floor level, lift size and parking situation at both buildings.
- Email both strata managers to book the lift and loading bay, and ask for the building’s moving rules in writing.
- Apply for a council parking permit if you need street space.
- Measure your largest furniture against the lift’s door width and internal depth. Check whether sofas or fridges need to go up the stairs instead.
One week before
- Confirm the lift booking and moving hours with both buildings.
- Pay any moving bond and photograph the lift, corridor and entrance so you have a record of their condition.
- Let your neighbours on the same floor know the date and time.
The day before
- Pack and tape every box, and stack them near the front door.
- Dismantle bed frames and flat-pack furniture.
- Collect access cards, fobs and loading dock keys for both buildings.
On moving day
- Meet the crew at the entrance and show them the lift, loading bay and route.
- Before you leave, check the lift and corridors for marks, and report any damage to the strata manager straight away.
Perth apartment moves: frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to move into a strata apartment in WA?
You don’t need permission to move in, but under the standard Schedule 2 by-laws you must give the council of owners notice before moving furniture through common property. Your building may also have its own by-laws, so ask the strata manager for a copy.
How far in advance should I book the lift?
As early as possible, and at least one to two weeks ahead. Lifts book out fast at the end of the month and in summer, when leases end and settlements happen.
What if my sofa doesn’t fit in the lift?
Measure it before moving day. If it’s too big, it may need to go up the stairs, be partly dismantled, or in some cases be lifted over a balcony by a specialist. Tell your removalist early so they can plan for it.
Who pays if the lift gets damaged?
Usually the resident who booked the move, often through a moving bond. That’s why lift padding and photos taken before and after the move are worth the effort.
Moving to or from an apartment in Perth?
Next Step Removals moves apartments across Perth, from CBD high-rises to walk-up units. We protect the lift and corridors, work within your building’s moving hours, and plan the route before we arrive. See our apartment removals service and hourly rates.
Call 0402 412 063 or request a free quote, and tell us your floor, lift and parking details so we can give you an accurate estimate.
Sources: Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA), Schedules 1 and 2 by-laws; City of Perth, Work zone application.
Recent Comments