Moving day in Dubai can feel like a marathon — boxes everywhere, calls from the movers, DEWA disconnection, and that one missing box of kitchen stuff you swear you packed last night.

No matter how organized we try to be, moving day chaos can sneak up fast. But here’s the good news — most of the big moving day problems are totally avoidable. So before the trucks roll in, take a minute to read through these top 5 mistakes tenants often make on moving day (and how you can skip them).

1. Forgetting to Reserve the Building Elevator or Parking Slot

This one catches so many people off guard. Most apartment buildings in Dubai require you to book the service elevator for moving — especially in towers around Downtown, JLT, or Marina.

If you forget to book it in advance, you might find yourself waiting for hours because someone else is moving out too.
Tip: Call your building management at least two days before your move and block both the elevator and a parking space for the moving truck.

2. Not Labelling Boxes Clearly

It sounds simple, but trust us — this makes a huge difference later. When everything arrives at your new apartment, you’ll thank yourself for knowing exactly where things go.

Label your boxes by room and category, like “Kitchen – Fragile” or “Bedroom – Clothes.”
Pro tip: Use colored stickers — one color for each room. It makes unpacking faster and less confusing for the movers.

3. Leaving Important Documents or Valuables in Moving Boxes

One of the most common (and stressful) mistakes!
Don’t pack your passport, tenancy contract, chequebook, jewellery, or electronics with your general stuff. These should stay with you in a personal bag throughout the move.

Losing even one document during the move can cause serious hassle — especially in Dubai, where you’ll often need your Emirates ID or Ejari right after moving in.

4. Forgetting to Check the Apartment Condition Before Handover

Before you leave your old apartment, take 15 minutes to do a quick walk through with your landlord or agent. Check for:

• Wall marks or damages
• AC filter condition
• Light fixtures
• Cleanliness

If you skip this, you might lose part (or all) of your security deposit later.
Tip: Take a few photos or short videos of each room before handing over the keys — it’s proof of the condition you left it in.

5. Not Hiring a Professional Moving Company

We get it — some people try to save money by calling small local movers with pickup trucks. But in most cases, it ends up costing more time, stress, and sometimes even broken furniture.

A professional moving company takes care of packing, dismantling, transport, and re-assembly — safely and quickly.
They also handle the tricky stuff like insurance and delicate items (TVs, glass tables, artwork, etc.).

So instead of running around last minute, book your movers early and relax knowing the experts have it under control.

Final Thought

Moving day doesn’t have to be chaos — it just needs a little planning and a good checklist. Avoiding these five mistakes can save you from delays, damages, and unwanted stress.

Whether you’re upgrading to a bigger apartment or just switching neighborhoods, take it one step at a time — and don’t hesitate to call the pros if you need a hand.