Your move at a glance
The tasks spread over roughly three months. Here’s the timeline; below it, every item to tick off.
| When | What matters |
|---|---|
| 3 months before | Give notice, set the date, get quotes |
| 1–2 months before | Book movers or helpers, arrange final cleaning, declutter |
| 2 weeks before | Parking permit, address changes, packing |
| The last few days | Emergency box, take furniture apart, defrost the fridge |
| Moving day | Meter readings, move-in report |
| After the move | Handover, registration, list of defects |
Three months before: give notice and plan
Rental apartments can usually be terminated with three months’ notice to a local termination date (Art. 266c Swiss Code of Obligations); your lease may set longer periods or other dates. Notice must be in writing and signed (Art. 266l CO) and must reach the landlord in time, so send it by registered mail.
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If you’re looking for movers, our configurator gives you a quote straight away: get a moving quote.
Moving out early? You can propose a reasonable, creditworthy replacement tenant who takes over the lease on the same terms. You’re then released from your obligations under the lease (Art. 264 CO).
Day off: a day for moving is generally considered one of the customary days off under Art. 329 CO. The details are often set out in your employment contract or collective agreement.
One to two months before: organize and declutter
This is when the decisions that need lead time get made. And the less you take, the cheaper and faster the move: every box you don’t pack is one you don’t have to carry or unpack.
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Cleaning with an acceptance guarantee: the company keeps cleaning until the landlord accepts the apartment. Get the price, date and guarantee in writing.
Electricity: as a private household, you get power from your local utility. Deregister at the old address and register at the new one.
Two weeks before: change your address and pack
Start with what you won’t need before moving day: basement, attic, books, out-of-season clothes. The kitchen and bathroom come last.
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The last few days: emergency box and disassembly
Now it’s about everything that needs to be at hand on moving day, and about the furniture.
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On moving day: meter readings and move-in
Note the meter readings in both apartments and photograph the meters so the meter number and reading are legible. When you take over the new apartment, you fill in a report with the landlord. Only sign what’s actually accurate.
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After the move: handover, registration, defects
Register with your new municipality, usually within 14 days; the exact deadline is set by the canton. If you’re changing municipalities, you also deregister at the old one. In many municipalities, you can do both online with eUmzugCH.
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Road traffic office: you must report a new address within 14 days.
Defects: many leases set a short deadline for reporting defects you discover after moving in. Check yours and send the list by registered mail.
Rental deposit: it sits in a blocked account in your name (Art. 257e CO) and is released with both parties’ consent. If the landlord makes no claim within a year after the lease ends, you can request the release yourself.
Radio and TV fee: Serafe gets your new address automatically from the population register.
When a storage unit helps during a move
Not everything has to go into the new apartment on moving day. In these situations, a storage unit makes the move easier:
- Bridging a gap: you’ve already handed over the old apartment, but the new one isn’t ready yet. Instead of paying rent twice, your furniture goes into storage for a few weeks.
- Moving somewhere smaller: what you want to keep but can’t fit waits in storage until you’ve decided.
- Renovating before moving in: empty rooms are quicker to paint, and floors are easier to lay.
- Decluttering without time pressure: whatever you don’t want to decide on right away goes into storage first, so you only pack what you really need in the new apartment.
The emergency box: what to keep at hand on moving day
Pack one box or bag that doesn’t go in the van but stays with you.
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The most common moving mistakes
- Missing the termination date: if you don’t give notice for a local termination date, you may pay rent for months longer.
- Giving notice by email: it isn’t valid.
- Family home without consent: without the signature of your spouse or registered partner, the notice is void.
- Forgetting the meter readings: without proof, you can barely check the final bill.
- Underestimating the handover: landlords look closely at the cleaning. If you plan tightly, you may have to clean again.
- Unlabelled boxes: unpacking takes longer than labelling would have.
Frequently asked questions about moving
When should I start planning my move?
About three months before, because of the notice period and termination dates. Moving companies are heavily booked around the end of the month, so book even earlier if you’re moving then.
How many moving boxes do I need?
As a rough rule of thumb, plan on 10 to 15 boxes per room, and more for the kitchen and bookshelves. Better to get a few too many: running short on moving day costs more time than having spares.
By when do I have to register with my new municipality?
Usually within 14 days of moving in. The exact deadline is set by the canton.
Can I move out before my notice period ends?
Yes, if you propose a reasonable, creditworthy replacement tenant who is willing to take over the lease on the same terms. You’re then released from your obligations under the lease (Art. 264 CO).
What if my move-out and move-in dates don’t line up?
You can try to agree on different dates with your landlord, or bridge the gap: furniture and boxes can go into storage until the new apartment is ready.