Before you confirm your flat move, check the access at both addresses. Find out who approves moves, reserve any lift or loading bay, check where the removal vehicle can park, and give the building’s instructions to your removal company. These details can affect the crew, vehicle and time needed for the job.

A service lift that has not been booked, a restricted moving slot or a van parked far from the entrance can disrupt an otherwise well planned move. Use this checklist for the flat you are leaving and the one you are moving into.

When to Do Each Task

As soon as you have a likely date: Ask both buildings for their moving rules and the right contact person.
Before confirming your removal booking: Check moving hours, reserve any lift or loading bay, and establish whether parking permission is needed.
Once arrangements are confirmed: Send the written rules, booking times and access details to OIS Removals.
The day before: Reconfirm the lift, vehicle access, key collection and moving day contact numbers.

Notice periods and charges vary by building and borough. Check the requirements for each address directly.

1. Find Out Who Approves the Move

In a managed block, your first contact might be the concierge, building manager, managing agent or landlord. Ask for the moving rules in writing.

☐ Find the right contact for the building you are leaving.
☐ Find the right contact for the building you are entering.
☐ Ask whether either building requires advance notice or written approval.
☐ Check who is allowed to make the booking. If you rent, the landlord or letting agent may need to be involved.
☐ Save a telephone number for moving day.

Do not assume the same rules apply at both properties.

2. Confirm the Permitted Days and Hours

Some buildings allow moves only during set hours or require you to reserve an arrival slot. Check whether those hours give the crew enough time at each end.

☐ Confirm permitted moving days and hours.
☐ Ask about weekend, bank holiday and quiet-hour restrictions.
☐ Check whether the loading bay and lift must be booked for the same period.
☐ Tell OIS about any fixed deadline for leaving or entering the building.
☐ Allow for the time you expect to collect keys to the new flat.

If the building offers a choice of booking windows, discuss the time needed with OIS before choosing one. An appointment that is too short could hold up the move.

3. Reserve the Correct Lift

A passenger lift may not be available for removals. The building might require a service lift booking or protective padding.

☐ Ask whether a lift reservation is required.
☐ Confirm which lift the crew can use.
☐ Check the lift’s internal dimensions and weight limit if you have bulky furniture.
☐ Ask who supplies and fits lift protection.
☐ Check whether there is a deposit or charge.
☐ Obtain written confirmation of the booking and its start and finish times.

No suitable lift? Tell OIS the floor number, the number of flights of stairs, and whether there are narrow landings or sharp turns. Include the same information for the destination.

4. Check Loading and Parking at Both Addresses

The closest place where a van can legally stop may be some distance from the flat. Identify the route the crew will actually use.

☐ Confirm which building entrance is used for removals.
☐ Ask whether there is a loading bay and how to book it.
☐ Check any vehicle height, length or weight restrictions.
☐ Find out whether the crew needs a gate code, key or barrier access.
☐ Check the distance from the loading point to the entrance.
☐ Note long corridors, internal doors and steps along the route.

For on-street parking, check the rules for the particular address. Westminster lists removal vans among the reasons for a parking bay suspension, while Islington has its own guidance for parking to move home. A rule at one end of your move may not apply at the other.

Tell OIS about controlled parking zones, red routes, loading restrictions or height barriers that may affect the vehicle. OIS can arrange local authority parking suspensions where required, so agree who is arranging each permission before moving day.

5. Check the Route for Large Furniture

Measure bulky items and the tightest points on their route out of one flat and into the other.

☐ Measure large sofas, wardrobes and other awkward items.
☐ Check door openings, lift entrances, corridors and stairwell turns.
☐ Tell OIS which items may need dismantling and reassembling.
☐ Send photographs or a short video of any access that is difficult to describe.
☐ Ask whether the building has rules for protecting communal walls, floors or doors.

Let the removal team assess the route before moving day. Do not assume an item will fit because it fitted through the front door when it was delivered.

6. Gather the Building’s Paperwork and Protection Rules

A managed building may ask for information about the removal company before allowing the crew to work there.

☐ Ask whether proof of public liability insurance is required.
☐ Ask whether the building requires a risk assessment or method statement.
☐ Check whether it needs the company name, vehicle details or crew names.
☐ Confirm where the crew should sign in.
☐ Ask who supplies any required floor, wall or lift protection.
☐ Check how keys, fobs and access codes will be provided.

Ask about moving day rules for fire doors and communal routes. Keep corridors, stairs and exits clear, and follow the building’s instructions. If you are concerned about existing marks or damage, photograph the lift and communal route before the move and again afterwards.

Send the requirements to OIS as soon as you receive them, so the team can confirm what it can supply.

Different Flats Need Different Checks

Walk-up flat: Number of flights, landing widths and tight turns.
Converted house: Shared hallway, narrow stairs and where the van can stop.
High-rise block: Service lift booking, long corridors and concierge sign-in.
Managed new-build block: Moving slots, loading bay, deposits and protection rules.
Older mansion block: Porter arrangements, service entrance and lift dimensions.

These are prompts, not rules for every building. Ask the person who manages your particular property.

Keep These Contacts to Hand on Moving Day

The concierge or building manager at both addresses.
A contact for a lift or access problem.
The landlord or managing agent, if they arranged a booking.
The person handing over keys at the new flat.
Your OIS Removals contact.

What to Tell OIS When Requesting a Quote

Give OIS the access information for both properties, even if some details are still awaiting confirmation:

Floor numbers, stairs and lifts.
Lift and loading bay booking times.
Permitted moving hours.
Parking restrictions or permissions.
Distance from the vehicle to each entrance.
Narrow doors, corridors or stair turns.
Furniture that may need dismantling.
Concierge instructions and paperwork requests.
Expected key collection time.

OIS Removals handles flat moves across London, including properties with stairs, lifts and restricted access. Its London Flat Move Difficulty Index can help you spot further details to discuss before the move.

Planning a flat move? Request a quote from OIS Removals and include the access details for both addresses.