Apartment Moving in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa: Common Problems and Smart Solutions
Introduction: Moving into a new apartment is supposed to be an exciting fresh start, but for many renters it can quickly become a stressful experience. From movers who arrive late to discovering pests in your new unit, a lot can go wrong on moving day. The good news is that most of these issues are avoidable with proper planning and help from the right professionals. Below, we dive into real problems renters face when moving apartments in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, and how to fix or prevent each one.
Issue 1: Movers Showed Up Late or Not at All Some movers run late due to traffic or overbooking, while others might not show up at all. In the best case, it means wasted time and a scramble to find help. In the worst, you’re out the deposit and forced to rebook everything. This is common with unlicensed or cheap movers.
Fix: Research and hire trustworthy movers with verified reviews. Confirm the date and time a day or two before. In a city like Toronto with heavy traffic, reliable movers plan around delays. Always have a backup plan in case something falls through. Professional movers value your time and communicate any delays clearly.
Issue 2: Wrong Truck Size or No Parking Space If the movers arrive with a truck that’s too small, your items may get crammed or left behind. DIY movers often underestimate the truck size they need. In places like downtown Ottawa or Toronto, strict parking rules add to the stress.
Fix: Professional movers assess your inventory ahead of time to send the right size truck. If you’re renting your own, go a size up. Secure a legal parking spot or permit in advance. Many movers handle this for you, but if not, contact your city to reserve a spot. Avoid ticketing and delays with proper planning.
Issue 3: Landlord Demanding Unit Access During Your Move Sometimes landlords want to inspect or show the unit while you're still moving out. This slows everything down and creates unnecessary tension.
Fix: Communicate with your landlord early. Let them know your move-out schedule and ask to avoid walk-throughs during that time. Most leases require notice before entry. Professional movers help you vacate quickly, giving the landlord access sooner.
Issue 4: Moving Into an Infested Apartment Nothing ruins a move like finding mice, roaches, or bedbugs. These issues are common, especially during high-volume move days in cities like Montreal.
Fix: Inspect the unit before move-in day if possible. Look for signs of pests. If you find any, report it to your landlord before unloading your belongings. Use sealed containers and avoid picking up used furniture from the curb. If problems appear after the move, act fast to schedule pest control.
Issue 5: Getting Billed for Damage After Moving Out After you’ve handed over the keys, getting a surprise bill for damages is frustrating. Sometimes it’s valid, other times not.
Fix: Take dated photos before and after moving out. If possible, do a final walkthrough with your landlord. Professionals protect your floors and walls with equipment and are insured in case anything gets damaged. This can save your security deposit and peace of mind.
Issue 6: Lease Signed, But Old Tenants Haven’t Left Arriving to find the previous tenants still in the unit is a logistical and legal problem. It delays your move and leaves you scrambling.
Fix: Contact your landlord immediately. They are responsible for providing access. Ask about temporary options such as a vacant unit or storage. Experienced movers can hold your items short-term until you can move in.
Issue 7: Discovered Pests While Moving Across the Hall Even short moves within the same building can reveal problems like pests. Moving from one unit to another can spread existing infestations.
Fix: Treat in-building moves with the same care. Inspect furniture, seal containers, and clean thoroughly before moving. Use dollies or wraps to avoid tracking anything between units. If pests are found, pause the move and notify management right away.
Issue 8: Underestimating the Labor Many people think they can handle everything with one friend, only to find themselves exhausted and stuck halfway through the move. Some furniture is just too heavy or awkward for two people.
Fix: If your apartment has stairs or large items, hire movers or add an extra set of hands. Professionals bring tools that make lifting and loading faster and safer. It’s worth the investment to avoid injuries and damage.
If you're planning an apartment move in any of these cities, having a team that knows the local quirks can make all the difference. Hustlers Moving offers reliable apartment moving services in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. From navigating traffic and elevator bookings to protecting your belongings during harsh weather or tight stairwells, our crews are trained to handle it all. Wherever you're moving, we make sure your apartment transition is fast, smooth, and stress-free.
Big City Challenges: Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa
Each city has its own moving quirks and potential nightmares. Here are a few real issues to be mindful of, especially if you’re moving apartments in Canada’s major cities:
Moving Challenges in Toronto: Traffic, Timing, and Tower Rules
Toronto is packed with people, traffic, and red tape. Between elevator bookings, permit requirements, and rush-hour delays, moving in the city requires serious planning.
Traffic Delays: Toronto drivers lose an average of 77 hours per year in rush-hour traffic. If your movers don’t plan around that, your entire schedule gets thrown off. A 9AM move can easily start at noon if the crew is stuck on the Gardiner or DVP.
Elevator Restrictions: Many downtown condos require booking a service elevator days or weeks in advance. Miss your slot and you could be delayed for hours or end up carrying heavy furniture down 20 flights of stairs.
Strict Parking Rules: You can’t just pull up and unload. Temporary parking permits are often required for moving trucks. Illegal parking near apartment entrances can lead to tickets, towing, or heated arguments with building managers or neighbors.
Solution: Hire experienced Toronto movers who know how to navigate permits, building rules, and traffic patterns, so you don’t get stuck paying for someone else’s mistakes.
Moving Challenges in Montreal: Day Madness and Old Buildings
Montreal’s infamous July 1st Moving Day means thousands of people all moving on the same weekend. It's not just hectic but it's brutal.
Massive Demand on July 1: Thousands of leases end and begin on this one day. Moving trucks are booked solid, streets are jammed, and elevator access becomes a competition. If you wait too long to book, you may not find any mover available.
Double-Parking Headaches: Narrow streets in Plateau or Mile End become warzones of trucks, ramps, and frustrated tenants. With trucks stacked three deep, there’s often no easy way in or out of the building.
Tight Staircases and No Elevators: Many of Montreal’s apartments are walk-ups with curved, exterior staircases. You’ll need experienced movers with the strength and strategy to maneuver large items without breaking them or getting injured.
Curbside Furniture means Bedbugs: It’s common for people to leave unwanted furniture on the curb, but this increases the risk of bedbugs especially during peak moving week. Even clean-looking items can carry hidden pests.
Solution: Book professional Montreal movers early. Avoid using furniture from the street and use pest-proof covers when needed. If you can move a few days before or after, do it.
Moving Challenges in Ottawa: Seasons, Permits, and Pacing
Ottawa may be calmer than Toronto or Montreal, but it has its own set of complications especially related to timing.
Winter Moving Woes: Snowy sidewalks, icy steps, and subzero temperatures can make moving physically dangerous. Many streets also enforce parking bans during snow emergencies, which could force you to delay or reroute last minute.
Summer equals Booking Rush: July 1 and May 1 are Ottawa’s peak lease turnover dates. If you don’t book early, most moving companies, especially trusted ones, will be full. You could be stuck paying double for last minute help.
Permits and Elevator Rules: Downtown apartments, especially high rises near Elgin or Rideau, often require parking permits and elevator reservations. Skip this step and your move can grind to a halt midday.
Government Zones and Construction: Many government heavy areas near Parliament Hill experience frequent roadblocks, protests, or infrastructure projects. These delays aren’t always listed on GPS but local movers usually know alternate routes.
Solution: Hire local movers in Ottawa who understand seasonal patterns and building protocols. Hustlers Moving preps for snow, brings salt and ramps, and checks ahead for route blocks, so you don’t have to.
Conclusion:
Every apartment or condo move comes with its own challenges, but with the right moving team, those headaches don’t have to be yours. At Hustlers Moving, we’ve seen it all, the tight staircases, last-minute parking issues, elevator restrictions, and even snowstorms. We understand the real pain points renters face in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, and we’re built to solve them. We show up on time, communicate clearly, and never surprise you with hidden fees. Our team takes your move seriously from the first call to the final box. When you want a smooth, honest, and stress-free move, Hustlers Moving gets it done right.
