Moving into an apartment building: a practical guide

Read the by-laws and house rules first: moving hours, lift bookings and where trucks can park vary by building.
Book the lift and loading dock well ahead, and ask whether protective lift pads must be hung.
Register with building management so you get access, parcel notifications and building notices.
Access cards and fobs are usually issued by building management under a building policy; tenants may need to show a lease.
Do not block corridors, doors or the driveway; obstructing common property is usually a by-law breach.

Two to four weeks before: read the rules

By-laws bind everyone in a strata scheme, including tenants. In NSW your landlord or agent must give you a copy before you sign the lease, and if you are buying, the by-laws must be attached to the contract of sale (NSW Government – Strata by-laws). Look for rules on:

moving hours and days, and whether moves are allowed on weekends
booking the lift and loading dock, and any bond or cleaning fee the by-laws allow
where removal trucks can park, and vehicle height limits for the car park
pets (you may need to give written notice), balconies, bins and smoking

The NSW model by-laws do not include a specific moving rule, so many buildings add their own. The model by-laws do say residents must not obstruct lawful use of common property except on a temporary and non-recurring basis, and must not park on common property without approval (Model by-laws, Schedule 3).

Two weeks before: book the lift and loading dock

In most high-rise buildings, moves go through one service lift and a shared loading dock. Book early, especially for Saturdays and month-end. When you book, confirm:

Ask about	Why it matters
Time slot and duration	Removalists charge by the hour; a short slot can cost more
Which lift	Passenger lifts are often off limits for furniture
Lift protection pads	Many buildings require pads or a lift key so the car can be held
Loading dock height and access	Large trucks may not fit; the removalist needs the clearance
Who lets the truck in	Docks often need a fob, intercom or building manager on site
Rubbish and cardboard	Many buildings have rules for boxes and bulky waste

Give your removalist the building's rules in writing. Damage to lifts, walls or doors during a move can become your cost if a by-law or approval condition makes the resident responsible.

One week before: access cards, fobs and parking

Apartment buildings use access cards, fobs, keys or phone credentials for the front door, lift floors, car park and storage. If your scheme has adopted the NSW common property memorandum, keys, security cards and access passes are the lot owner's responsibility (NSW Government – Common property memorandum). In practice:

Owners usually receive cards at settlement or from building management.
Tenants get them from the agent or building management, often after a lease is checked.
Replacement cards usually cost money; check the building's policy.
Check that your car space is part of your lot or allocated to you. Residents may only use their own space and visitor spaces are for visitors (NSW Government – Strata parking).

Register with building management

Registering gets you on the building's contact list for notices, parcel collection, outages and emergencies. It is separate from the strata roll, which records owners and tenants for legal purposes. In NSW, new owners and landlords must give their details to the secretary, usually within 14 days, and a landlord or agent must give the owners corporation a tenancy notice within 14 days of the lease starting (NSW Government – Record keeping). If your landlord does not, you can give the notice yourself.

Moving day checklist

Meet the building manager or check in at the agreed time.
Hang lift pads and put down floor protection if required.
Keep doors, fire exits and the driveway clear; never prop fire doors open.
Take photos of the lift and corridors before and after.
Remove packaging the way the building asks, not in the general bins.
Return any lift key and release the loading dock on time.

After you move in

Parcels: find out where deliveries go (parcel room, lockers or concierge) and how you are notified.
Bins and recycling: check the chute or bin room rules.
Emergencies: learn the fire exits and evacuation points, and give building management an emergency contact.
Repairs: owners report common property problems to the strata manager or building manager; tenants report to their agent or landlord (NSW Government – Repairs).
Insurance: the building policy does not cover your belongings, so consider contents insurance.

How Watchdog Strata handles move-ins

In buildings that use Watchdog Strata, new residents first request access; building management approves them and checks tenancy details. Residents then book the lift, loading dock or parking access for a set time through bookings. Management approves the request and building management receives an email, so the dock and lift are ready. Access-card requests cover new cards, free transfers to a new phone and guest cards for up to 60 days, and parcel logging sends a collection code when a delivery arrives. Watchdog Strata manages the requests; the door and lift access system itself is the building's. It does not book amenities such as pools, gyms or BBQ areas.

General information only, not legal advice. Check the current legislation or ask a strata lawyer for your scheme.

Questions people ask

Do I need to book the lift to move into an apartment?

In most apartment buildings, yes. Moving and lift rules come from your building’s by-laws or house rules, so check them and book with building management before moving day.

Who gives me access cards when I rent an apartment?

Usually your agent or the building manager. Many buildings check that you have a current lease before issuing tenant cards.

Does my landlord have to give me the by-laws?

Yes, in NSW. The landlord or agent must give you a copy of the by-laws before you sign the lease, and a new copy within 14 days of any change.

Can the removal truck park in the visitor spaces?

Only if your building allows it. Under the NSW model by-laws, vehicles cannot park on common property without the owners corporation’s written approval or an authorised sign.

Who pays if the lift is damaged during my move?

It depends on your by-laws and any booking conditions. Many buildings make the resident responsible for damage caused during a move, so take before-and-after photos.

Moving into an apartment building: lifts, loading docks, access cards and by-laws