Moving Day Etiquette: Minimizing Noise in Hallways and Elevators

Strict Moving Hours

Almost all apartment buildings and HOAs have strict rules about when you can move furniture. This is primarily a noise control measure.

Typical Rules: Moves are often restricted to 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sundays and holidays are frequently blacked out. Attempting to drag a sofa down the hall at 7 AM or 10 PM is a guaranteed way to get a fine from the management.

The Elevator Issue

If you have an elevator, locking it off for your personal use causes delays and noise (the "door hold" beep). You must reserve the elevator with management in advance. They will often pad the walls (dampening impact noise) and give you a key to control the doors silently.

Hallway Acoustics

Apartment corridors are echo chambers. Conversations between movers echo into every unit.

• Don't prop your door open for hours if you aren't actively passing through. It lets your music and conversations blast into the hall.
• Lift, don't drag. Dragging furniture across a hallway floor creates a low-frequency rumble felt by everyone.

The Takeaway

You can't move silently, but you can move respectfully. Sticking to the approved hours and reserving the elevator properly ensures that your first interaction with your new neighbors isn't a noise complaint.