Moving in Los Angeles has specific challenges: traffic, parking, HOA rules, building COIs, and more. This checklist covers everything you need to do, organized by timeline.
8 Weeks Before
- Start decluttering — reducing volume before you move saves real money
- Get quotes from at least 3 moving companies
- Book your mover — peak season (May–September) books 6–8 weeks out
- Notify your landlord in writing (most LA leases require 30–60 days notice)
6 Weeks Before
- Contact your new building: COI requirements, elevator reservations, move-in fees, allowed days/hours
- File USPS address change at usps.com — takes ~2 weeks to take effect
- Transfer utilities: LADWP for electricity/water, SoCalGas for gas
- Begin packing non-essentials
4 Weeks Before
- Reconfirm your mover — date, time, address, COI process
- Update address with bank, DMV (car registration), voter registration, insurance, employer HR
- Transfer medical records if switching doctors (can take 2+ weeks)
- Start school transfer process if you have children
2 Weeks Before
- Confirm elevator reservation at new building
- Pack the majority of your belongings — label every box with contents and destination room
- Arrange childcare and pet care for moving day
- Defrost your refrigerator 24 hours before movers arrive
Moving Day
- Be present for the entire move — don't leave movers unsupervised
- Do a full walkthrough of your old place before the truck leaves — check closets, attic, garage, outdoor areas
- Take photos of the empty old place for your security deposit claim
- Keep essentials with you: medications, phone charger, important documents, one change of clothes, toilet paper
- At the new place, walkthrough before unloading starts to note pre-existing damage
- Tip appropriately: $20–$40 per mover for a good local move
After Moving Day
- Return keys to old landlord and get written confirmation
- Report any damage at new place to landlord in writing immediately
- Update CA DMV registration within 20 days
- Set up renter's insurance at the new address
Best Movers LA handles COIs, parking, HOA rules, and building requirements across all of LA County. Call (213) 676-9460 for a flat-rate quote.
Related questions
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