Moving to Epalinges: Lausanne heights and villas

Moving to Epalinges means planning around the particularities of a municipality on the heights of Lausanne: villa-style housing, access roads that are sometimes steep and a cooler climate than on the lakeshore. Whether you are looking for a removal company in Epalinges or simply want to compare offers, just describe your move online. Professional movers from the region will then contact you to prepare a free, no-obligation quote.

Epalinges, between Lausanne and the Jorat forests

Epalinges spreads across the heights of Lausanne, between the city and the Jorat forests. This position gives the municipality a residential character, with many villa neighbourhoods where most moves involve family homes: detached houses, but also more recent apartment buildings in some areas.

For a move, this changes the nature of the job. A villa is often moved across several floors, with a cellar, a garage and sometimes a garden or an attic to empty. The volume to transport is generally larger than for an apartment with the same number of rooms. Mention it in your request: the number of rooms, the outbuildings and any bulky items allow the movers to estimate the work correctly.

Since the canton of Vaud mixes hillside towns, old towns, plateau and uplands, each municipality has its own constraints. In Epalinges they mainly relate to its relative altitude, its residential streets and its proximity to Lausanne.

Access, parking and floors in Epalinges

In the villa neighbourhoods, residential streets can be narrow or steep, and residents’ vehicles often take up the roadway. The removal lorry must be able to get close to the entrance without blocking traffic. The larger the lorry, the clearer the access needs to be: mention in your request any narrow passage, tight bend or steeply sloping private driveway.

Carrying distance matters as much as the size of the lorry. If the vehicle cannot park in front of the door, the movers will have to carry boxes and furniture over a longer distance, which lengthens the job. Indoor staircases, common in villas, also weigh in: a sofa, a wardrobe or a bed may need to be dismantled beforehand.

For upper floors or furniture that will not go up or down the stairs, a furniture lift can be useful. Like the lorry, it takes up space on the public road: prior authorisation from the commune or the police may be required. Find out a few days or weeks in advance, especially if you need to reserve parking spaces in front of the building.

When to move to Epalinges

Residential leases are terminated with three months’ notice for the date set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a three-month lease period (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless the contract provides for longer. Customary dates vary by canton and commune: the safest course is to refer to your lease. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO).

The periods around lease dates are the busiest: movers are in high demand and availability shrinks quickly. To have a choice of dates, ask for your quote early.

The season matters too. Winters are cooler in Epalinges than on the lakeshore: in snow or ice, sloping access roads take more time and care. In summer, the heat makes carrying more tiring and is harder on furniture and boxes. The shoulder seasons often offer the most comfortable conditions.

Admin formalities for your move to Epalinges

Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the former commune, arrival in the new one, within the deadline set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online via eMoving (eUmzugCH). Check what your commune offers.

Also remember to give your new address to your employer, your insurers, your bank and the services you rely on. On the housing side, prepare the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and the return of the keys. The rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent for a dwelling (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in the tenant’s name.

If you cannot meet the notice period or the termination date, you can be released by presenting a solvent replacement tenant who is willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO). For the family home, termination by a tenant who is married or in a registered partnership requires the express consent of the spouse or partner (art. 266m and 266n CO).

If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, additional formalities apply, notably for customs and the residence permit: check with the relevant authorities before the date of the move.

Useful services for a move to Epalinges

Residential moving

For a family leaving a villa or settling in one of the residential neighbourhoods, residential moving covers loading, transport and setting up. Specify the volume, floors and access in your request.

Furniture lift

When the staircase is too narrow or bulky furniture will not fit, a furniture lift lets you move it via the outside. Remember the permit for occupying the public road.

Packing and unpacking

In a house with a cellar, attic and garage, the number of boxes can quickly add up. Packing and unpacking save time and protect crockery, fragile items and small objects.

Furniture assembly and disassembly

Beds, wardrobes and modular kitchens are easier to dismantle before transport. Furniture assembly and disassembly avoids unpleasant surprises on the stairs and on arrival.

Storage

If your move-out and move-in dates do not coincide, storage lets you keep part of your belongings for as long as necessary.

End-of-lease cleaning

To hand the property back in good condition, end-of-lease cleaning prepares the move-out inspection (état des lieux).

Request a quote

1. You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, preferred date.
2. Professional movers from the region contact you, possibly for a visit to the premises.
3. You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose.

To get started, you can request a quote.

Around Epalinges

Epalinges is a neighbour of Lausanne and close to Cugy and Pully. If your departure or arrival is in one of these communes, see their pages too. Find the regional context on the page moving in the canton of Vaud or browse all communes.

Frequently asked questions