Moving to Hermance is nothing like moving in a city: the medieval village, set on the lake at the north-eastern tip of the left bank, has tight access and homes with plenty of character. To move to Hermance without nasty surprises, it is best to plan truck access, carrying and paperwork well in advance. Describe your project online: professional removal companies from the area will get back to you with a free, no-obligation quote.
Hermance, a lakeside village: what it means for your move
Hermance is a medieval village on the lake, at the French border marked by the River Hermance. The built-up area consists of village houses, small walled gardens and lakeside properties. You will therefore mostly find medium-sized homes in old buildings, as well as larger residences, sometimes set back behind a gate or a garden.
These two types of housing raise different questions. In a village house, staircases can be narrow, doors low and rooms an unusual shape: bulky furniture should be measured before the day itself. In a lakeside property, it is more the amount of furniture, the number of rooms and the distance between the front door and the truck that make the difference. If you are looking for a removal company in Hermance, mention these particularities in your request: they allow the quote to be adjusted.
Access, parking and stairs in Hermance
The old centre is a compact area where streets are often narrow and a large truck cannot always get close to the door. Depending on the address, movers may use a smaller vehicle, make several trips or plan for longer carrying distances. The longer the distance between the truck and the home, the more working time is needed.
Staircases in old houses, sometimes winding or steep, limit the passage of large furniture, wardrobes and sofas. In that case, a furniture lift going through a window or balcony can be a solution, if the outdoor space allows it. Conversely, properties with gardens often offer more room to manoeuvre, but paths, gravel and garden steps should be checked in advance.
To park a truck, a furniture lift or a skip on the public road, prior authorisation from the commune or the police may be required. Find out a few days, or even a few weeks, before the planned date, especially if the street is narrow or busy. Our guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure. As Geneva is a very urban canton where traffic and parking are tricky, planning ahead remains the best precaution.
When to move to Hermance: lease dates and seasons
If you are a tenant, notice must be given in writing and in principle respects a three-month period for the date set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a three-month lease period (art. 266c and 266l of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless your contract provides for longer. Customary dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and local custom before sending your letter. For the family home, the spouse or registered partner must expressly consent to the termination.
Around the usual moving dates, removal companies are in high demand: booking early gives you a wider choice of dates. If you cannot meet the notice period, you can be released by proposing a solvent replacement tenant, willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO). Our guide to terminating a lease in Switzerland sets out the steps.
As for the seasons, a lakeside village enjoys lovely summer days, but the heat makes carrying more tiring, so allow for staying hydrated and protecting certain sensitive items. In winter, cold, rain or frost can make lanes and steps slippery: plan floor protection and some margin in the schedule.
Administrative steps for moving to Hermance
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the previous commune, arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, this can be done online via eMoving (eUmzugCH); check with the commune whether this is the case. Then remember to change your address with your bank, insurer, employer and suppliers. The guide on registering with the commune helps you avoid forgetting anything.
When leaving your previous home, plan for the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and the return of the keys. Note that a 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: it is returned to you under the applicable rules once the property has been handed back.
With the French border very close, cross-border moves are common in the canton. If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, customs and residence permit formalities are added: check with the relevant authorities before fixing the date. Our guide to moving between France and Geneva gives the main points.
Useful services for moving to Hermance
Residential moving
For a flat in the village or a village house, a residential move lets you plan the truck, the number of people and the carrying according to the real access. Specify the floors, stairs and parking distance in your request.
Furniture lift
When the staircase is too narrow or winding, a furniture lift avoids forcing a way through and protects old walls. Its use depends on the space available in front of the façade and, often, on a permit to use the public road.
Packing and unpacking
In a character home, fragile items, crockery and decoration deserve careful packing. Packing and unpacking saves you time, especially if you are leaving a large property.
Furniture assembly and disassembly
Large pieces of furniture pass more easily through a low door or narrow staircase once taken apart. Furniture assembly and disassembly lets them be reassembled properly on arrival.
Storage
Between two homes, or if your new house is not ready, storage lets you keep part of your belongings for as long as necessary.
End-of-lease cleaning
Before the move-out inspection, end-of-lease cleaning helps you hand back the property in the expected condition and avoid disputes.
Requesting a quote for your move to Hermance
- You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, access and preferred date.
- Professional removal companies from the area get back to you, possibly for a visit of the premises.
- You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not.
The cost depends on the volume, the distance, the floors and access, a possible furniture lift, packing and the date. To request a quote, simply fill in the form.
Around Hermance
Hesitating between several communes? See our pages on moving to Jussy, moving to Thônex and moving to Chêne-Bougeries. For an overview, see moving in the canton of Geneva or all the communes.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving to Hermance
It depends on the address. The old village has narrow streets where a large vehicle cannot always get close to the door. The movers can then use a smaller truck or plan for longer carrying. Give the exact address in your request.
Occupying the public road with a truck, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior authorisation from the commune or the police. Find out a few days or weeks in advance, especially on a narrow street.
For a rented home, the notice period is in principle three months for the date set by local custom or the end of a three-month lease period, unless the contract provides for longer. Check your lease. Around the usual moving dates, removal companies are in great demand: book early. In summer, the heat slows down carrying; in winter, the lanes can be slippery.
You must report your departure in the previous commune and your arrival in the new one to the residents' registration office (contrôle des habitants), within the period set by the canton. In many communes, this is done online via eMoving. Also remember to tell your bank, insurer and suppliers your new address.
It can be when the staircase is narrow or winding and the furniture will not fit. You need space in front of the façade and, often, a permit to use the public road. A removal company from the area can assess this on site during a visit.