Moving Checklist for BC: What to Do From 8 Weeks Out to Moving Day
A smooth move in BC comes down to a handful of dates: give your landlord at least one full month’s written notice, book your movers three to six weeks ahead (earlier for a month-end date), reserve the elevator or loading bay as soon as the date is set, and update your address with ICBC within 10 days of moving. This checklist puts every task in the week it belongs, with the BC rules that set the timing.
The BC Dates That Set Your Timeline
| Deadline | What applies in BC |
|---|---|
| Notice to your landlord | On a month-to-month tenancy, at least one full month’s written notice, ending the day before rent is due. A fixed-term lease can’t usually be ended early without agreement. |
| Booking movers | Three to six weeks ahead for most dates. Month-end and the last week of August fill first. Tingsapp bookings open 30 days ahead, and you can see your price at any time. |
| Elevator and loading bay | Book as soon as your date is set. Most strata and rental buildings require a reserved time slot, and some charge a move-in fee or deposit. |
| Move-out inspection | Landlord and tenant complete a condition inspection report together at move-out. |
| Damage deposit | Your landlord must return it, or file for dispute resolution, within 15 days of the later of the tenancy ending and receiving your forwarding address in writing. |
| ICBC address change | Within 10 days of moving, for your driver’s licence and vehicle insurance. |
8 Weeks Before: Set the Date and the Budget
- Fix your move date. Mid-month weekdays are the easiest to book. The first and last days of the month, and late August, are the busiest across Metro Vancouver.
- Give notice if you rent, in writing, using the Residential Tenancy Branch notice form or a signed letter.
- Get a price. Enter your items and addresses on Tingsapp to see a fixed price. Small moves start at $79 and full home moves at $249.
- Start a moving folder for your lease or purchase documents, building move rules, and receipts.
4 to 6 Weeks Before: Book and Declutter
- Book your movers once your date is inside the 30-day booking window, or earlier with a company that takes longer bookings.
- Reserve the elevator or loading bay at both buildings, and get the move rules in writing: allowed hours, elevator pads, deposit.
- Check street parking. If neither building has a loading area, ask your city whether you need a permit to reserve street space for the truck.
- Declutter. Sell or donate what you won’t move. Fewer items means a smaller move and a lower price.
- Collect supplies: boxes, tape, markers, and plastic bins for anything that can’t get wet.
2 Weeks Before: Switch Over Accounts
- Set up mail forwarding with Canada Post.
- Transfer or close utilities: BC Hydro for electricity, FortisBC if you have gas, and your internet provider. Book the internet install early; appointments can take a week or more.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance, and the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Pack non-essentials room by room and label each box with its room and contents.
- Arrange care for children and pets on moving day.
Final Week: Prepare Both Homes
- Confirm your booking, arrival window and both addresses.
- Disassemble large furniture and bag the hardware with each piece.
- Drop off hazardous items such as old paint, propane and batteries at a depot; movers won’t carry them.
- Pack a first-night box: toiletries, chargers, medication, bedding, a kettle, and documents.
- Clean as you empty each room, and book the move-out inspection with your landlord.
Moving Day
- Protect floors and furniture. In BC’s wet months, wrap upholstered pieces and mattresses before they leave the door and lay runners at both ends.
- Walk the crew through the job: fragile items, what goes where, and anything that stays.
- Track the move in the Tingsapp app and keep your phone on for the crew.
- Do a final walkthrough: closets, cabinets, balcony, storage locker and parking stall.
- Complete the inspection and give your forwarding address in writing.
The First Two Weeks After
- Update ICBC within 10 days. If you moved to BC from another province, you have 90 days to switch to a BC driver’s licence.
- Update MSP with Health Insurance BC. New residents from outside BC face a waiting period, so apply right away.
- Register for garbage and recycling pickup if your city or strata requires it.
- Unpack the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom first, then work room by room.
Quick Reference Timeline
| When | Main tasks |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks before | Set the date, give notice, get a price |
| 4–6 weeks before | Book movers, reserve elevator, declutter |
| 2 weeks before | Mail forwarding, utilities, address changes, pack |
| Final week | Confirm, disassemble, hazardous drop-off, first-night box |
| Moving day | Protect, direct the crew, walkthrough, inspection |
| First 2 weeks | ICBC, MSP, local services, unpack |
Sources
- BC Residential Tenancy Branch — notice to end a tenancy, condition inspections, and damage deposit return (gov.bc.ca), 2026
- ICBC — updating your address, and moving to BC from another province (icbc.com), 2026
- Health Insurance BC — MSP enrolment, address changes and the waiting period for new residents (gov.bc.ca), 2026
- Canada Post — mail forwarding (canadapost-postescanada.ca), 2026
- BC Hydro and FortisBC — moving and transferring service (bchydro.com, fortisbc.com), 2026
- Metro Vancouver Recycles — household hazardous waste drop-off locations (metrovancouverrecycles.ca), 2026
Related guides
- Top 10 Moving Tips for a Smooth Move in the Lower Mainland
- Essential Packing Supplies for a Local Move in BC
- Your Moving Day Essentials Checklist
- The Cheapest Months to Move in BC
- Top Moving Mistakes in BC (and How to Avoid Them)
- Get an upfront moving price
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I start planning a move in BC?
About eight weeks. That leaves time to give a full month’s notice if you rent, book movers three to six weeks out, and reserve the elevator before slots fill.
How much notice do I need to give my landlord in BC?
On a month-to-month tenancy, at least one full month’s written notice, ending the day before rent is due. A fixed-term lease usually can’t be ended early unless your landlord agrees or a specific exception applies.
How soon do I have to update my address with ICBC?
Within 10 days of moving. If you’ve moved to BC from another province, you have 90 days to get a BC driver’s licence.
When do I get my damage deposit back?
Your landlord must return it, or apply for dispute resolution to keep part of it, within 15 days of the later of the tenancy ending and receiving your forwarding address in writing.
How far ahead can I book Tingsapp?
From the next day up to 30 days ahead. You can check your fixed price at any time before that.
Can I track my move on the day?
Yes. The Tingsapp app shows the crew’s progress in real time, and you can message or call them during the move.
Ready to Book Your Move?
Get a fixed price and book with Tingsapp, or see the Lower Mainland cities we serve. Bookings are accepted anywhere in BC.