Prilly borders Lausanne to the west and spreads across the slopes overlooking the Mèbre valley. For a move in Prilly, the terrain and the narrowness of some access routes matter as much as the volume to be transported. Whether you are looking for a removal company in Prilly or packing the boxes yourself, this guide helps you anticipate what counts before you move.
Prilly from a removals point of view
The commune adjoins Lausanne and lies in the Ouest lausannois area. It mixes apartment-block districts with districts of detached houses, and the Malley shopping centre is close by, which makes it easy to buy packing materials and run last-minute errands.
In the apartment-block districts, you will mostly deal with upper-floor flats, with or without a lift depending on the building. In the villa areas, the move tends to involve large volumes, cellars, garages and sometimes gardens on uneven ground. Older districts have narrow access, where a large vehicle cannot always get close to the building.
Because the commune is built on a slope, the same address can be easy to reach from one side and awkward from the other. This is best settled when you request a quote: say whether the entrance is below street level, whether steps lead up to the door, or whether the home is served by an outdoor staircase.
Access, parking and floors in Prilly: what to plan for
On sloping streets with tight access, the size of the lorry needs careful choosing. A large vehicle cannot always reach the building entrance: you then have to accept a longer carrying distance, or use a smaller vehicle with more trips. These choices affect how long the job takes, and therefore the quote.
In apartment blocks, count the floors, whether there is a lift and how big it is, and the width of the stairwells and landings. A sofa, a wardrobe or a piano will not necessarily fit up or down the stairs. If furniture has to go out through a window or balcony, a furniture lift may be the answer, provided it can be set up on the road or on a clear area with a reasonable gradient.
Occupying the public road with a lorry, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior permission from the commune or the police. Ask the commune a few days, or even a few weeks, before the planned date. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure. Also remember to let your neighbours know and, if possible, to reserve a space in front of the entrance.
In winter, snow and ice make the slopes trickier: allow extra time and a cleared access route, or choose a date that is less exposed.
The right time to move in Prilly
In the canton of Vaud, leases end on the date set by local custom or, failing that, at the end of a lease quarter. The tenant gives notice respecting a three-month notice period (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless the contract provides for longer. Customary move-out dates vary by canton and commune: check the exact date in your lease. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). The guide on how to terminate a lease in Switzerland sets out the steps.
The periods around these dates are the busiest: removal companies in the area are in high demand and slots fill up. If your date is flexible, a move in mid-week or away from the end of the month often gives you more choice. Request your quote early to keep control of your schedule.
As for the season, summer brings heat, which is tiring when climbing stairs repeatedly, while winter adds the risk of snow and ice on the slopes. Spring and autumn generally offer more comfortable conditions.
Paperwork in Prilly before and after the move
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): your departure in your old commune and your 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 the service is available. The guide on registering with the commune adds to this information.
Also remember to change your address with your insurer, your employer, your bank and the services you rely on. For handing back the flat, prepare a careful move-out inspection (état des lieux): the home must be returned clean and empty.
If you leave the lease before its end date, you can be released by putting forward a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO). For your new home, the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in the tenant’s name.
If the home is the family home, notice given by a married tenant or one in a registered partnership requires the express consent of the other (art. 266m and 266n CO). If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, customs and residence formalities apply: check with the relevant authorities.
Useful services for a move in Prilly
Residential moving
For a flat or a house, professional removal companies in the area organise loading, transport and delivery. On a commune built on a slope, they assess carrying distances and access during a possible site visit. See residential moving.
Furniture lift
When the staircase is narrow or the item is bulky, the furniture lift goes in through the façade. It needs a stable position and clear access, which may require a permit to occupy the public road.
Packing and unpacking
Well-built boxes and properly protected fragile items limit breakages on a route with stairs. Packing and unpacking can be handed to professionals to save time.
Furniture assembly and disassembly
Taking apart a wardrobe or a bed before carrying it down the stairs makes it easier to get through. Furniture assembly and disassembly means everything is put back together properly on arrival.
Storage
If your move-out and move-in dates do not coincide, storage keeps your belongings between the two homes.
End-of-lease cleaning
To hand the flat back in the condition expected at the move-out inspection, end-of-lease cleaning avoids unpleasant surprises.
Requesting a quote
- You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, access and preferred date.
- Professional removal companies in the area contact you, possibly for a visit on site.
- You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not.
The cost varies with the volume, the distance, the floors and access, the use of a furniture lift, packing and the date. For a reliable estimate, requesting a quote is free and without obligation.
Around Prilly
If your journey takes you through a neighbouring commune, see our pages on Lausanne and Renens. You will also find general information on moving in the canton of Vaud, and the list of all communes.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving in Prilly
It depends on the street. In older districts, access is sometimes tight and sloping, and a large vehicle cannot always get close. Describe the access in your request: the movers will adapt the size of the lorry or plan for a longer carry.
Occupying the public road with a lorry, a furniture lift or a skip may require permission from the commune or the police. Ask a few days, or even a few weeks, before the moving date.
The periods around lease end dates are the busiest. If your date is flexible, you will have more choice outside those periods. In winter, snow can make access on the slopes more difficult.
Report your departure to your old commune and your arrival to the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, this is done online via eMoving (eUmzugCH). Also inform your insurer, your employer and your bank.
Depending on your needs: furniture lift, packing, furniture assembly and disassembly, storage or end-of-lease cleaning. State them in your request so that the quotes can be compared.