Quick answer: Move days put more wear on strata common property than almost anything else. A good move process includes a booking system, elevator pads and floor protection installed before the move, a before-and-after inspection of the route with photos, prompt cleanup of lobbies, hallways and elevators afterward, and a clear process for charging damage back under the bylaws. Having a caretaker or building support team handle setup and inspection keeps it consistent.
Moving trucks, dollies, furniture and boxes all take the same path: through the parkade or loading area, into the elevator and down the hallway. Without a plan, that path ends up with scuffed walls, scratched elevator panels, torn carpet and a trail of packing debris. Then the arguments start about who caused it.
Step 1: Make Booking Mandatory
Many stratas have bylaws requiring residents to book moves in advance. A booking system:
- Prevents two moves from happening at once
- Restricts moves to set hours
- Gives time to install protection and do an inspection
- Creates a record of who moved and when
If your bylaws don’t address moves, your property manager can help the council consider adding them at a general meeting.
Step 2: Protect the Route
- Hang elevator pads on all interior walls of the cab
- Lock the elevator on independent service if the building allows it
- Lay floor protection in the lobby and on carpeted hallways if heavy items are moving
- Prop doors safely rather than letting movers wedge them with objects
- Protect door frames and corners on tight turns
Step 3: Inspect Before and After
A quick inspection with dated photos protects both the strata and the resident:
- Before the move: photograph the elevator, lobby, entrance, hallways on the route and the parkade or loading area
- After the move: photograph the same areas and note any new damage
- Share findings with the resident and property manager promptly
Using an app that timestamps photos makes the record more reliable if damage needs to be charged back.
Step 4: Clean Up
Move days leave behind:
- Cardboard, tape and packing materials in hallways and recycling rooms
- Dirt and debris on lobby floors and hallway carpet
- Scuffs on walls and doors
- Fingerprints and smudges on elevator panels and glass
- Overflowing cardboard bins
A post-move clean of the route keeps the building presentable for the next resident and prevents arguments over whose mess is whose.
Step 5: Handle Fees and Charge-Backs Fairly
The Strata Property Act and Regulation set out what stratas can charge for moves. Generally, a move-in fee is limited, and many buildings charge for damage under their bylaws instead. Check your bylaws and get advice from your property manager before setting or changing any fee. Clear before-and-after photos make damage charge-backs much easier to support.
Who Should Handle Move Logistics?
In many buildings, the caretaker or building support team handles pads, inspections and cleanup. This keeps the process consistent and takes the burden off council volunteers. In buildings without a caretaker, a contracted building support service can schedule visits around booked moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the strata require movers to use pads?
Many bylaws require elevator protection during moves. If yours don’t, the council can consider adding a bylaw.
What if damage is found after the move?
Before-and-after photos are key. Share them with the resident and follow your bylaw process for charge-backs.
Should we clean after every move?
At least a route check and tidy-up. Heavier cleaning depends on how much debris is left.
Who handles cardboard overflow?
Ask residents to break down boxes, and plan for extra pickup or caretaker attention after busy move periods.
Make Move Days Uneventful
EcoPlanet Property Services provides caretaker and strata support across Greater Vancouver, including elevator pad setup, move inspections with photo reporting and post-move cleanup. Request a free quote or call 604-565-5238.
