How to Plan a Condo Move Around HOA Rules

What rules do condo associations usually set for moves?

Every association writes its own, but the same topics come up again and again. Ask for the rules in writing and read them before you pick a date, because some of them decide the date for you.

• Permitted moving days and hours, and sometimes days when no moves are allowed
• Advance notice to the manager, often with the mover's name
• An elevator reservation, elevator pads or a key for independent service
• The entrance and hallway movers must use
• A certificate of insurance from the moving company
• A refundable deposit or a move fee set by the association
• Where the truck may park and how long it may stay
• Rules for protecting floors and walls, and for removing empty boxes

What is a certificate of insurance and who provides it?

A certificate of insurance is a document from the moving company's insurer that summarizes its coverage. Associations often ask to be named as the certificate holder, with specific wording, before movers may use the common areas. Connecticut's Insurance Department notes that the certificate describes a policy; it does not add coverage by itself.

Ask the manager for the exact wording and send it to your mover as early as you can. Major Movers lists building certificate requests and elevator scheduling as part of apartment and condo moving, and the team confirms what can be provided for your building when you book.

How do you schedule around the elevator and the move window?

Line up four things: the move window at the old building, the move window at the new one, the key handover and the elevator reservations. If both are condos, the tightest window sets the day. Book the elevator for the full window, not an estimate of how long you think the move will take, and ask what happens if the move runs past the permitted time.

Measure the elevator's interior, the door opening and the hallway turns against your largest pieces. A sofa that fits through the front door may not fit in a passenger elevator. If it will not fit, ask whether there is a freight elevator or a stair route the association allows.

Where will the moving truck park?

Ask the manager where a moving truck may stop and for how long. Some complexes have a loading area by the service entrance; others want the truck in visitor spaces or at the curb. Fire lanes must stay clear. If the only legal spot is far from your door, tell your mover, because a long carry changes the plan. The guide to moving-truck access in Connecticut covers parking and building access in more detail.

What happens if a common area is damaged or the move runs over?

Associations usually protect themselves with a deposit, a move fee or an inspection, so it pays to document the route. Walk the hallway, the elevator and the entrance before the move starts, ideally with the manager, and take photos of any scuffs or dents that are already there. Do the same walk at the end. If something is marked during the move, report it the same day rather than waiting for a letter from the board.

If the move looks likely to run past the permitted hours, tell the manager early. Some buildings will extend a slot if they know in advance; others will not, and the rest of the load has to wait for another day. A realistic inventory and packing finished before the crew arrives are the best protection against running over.

What if you are selling one condo and buying another on the same day?

Then two sets of rules and two closings have to line up. Ask both associations for their windows, and ask your attorney or agent when keys will realistically change hands, not just when the closing starts. If the new building will not let you in until the afternoon and the old one needs you out by noon, plan a short storage stop or keep the loaded truck waiting, and agree that plan with your movers in advance. The guide to moving between closing dates covers the options.

What should you send your movers before the move?

Send the association's written rules, both move windows, the elevator reservation times, the certificate wording, the parking instructions and the unit numbers and floors. Add your inventory and photos of the largest pieces. If the window is short, packing and unpacking help makes it easier to finish on time, since everything is boxed and ready when the elevator slot opens.