Moving house in Cairo and to Hurghada, movers, trucks and deposit

How to start preparing for a move

First open your lease and check how many days of notice the landlord needs and on what terms he returns the deposit. Give notice in writing, at least as a WhatsApp message, and keep the reply.

Choose the moving date with some margin. Book the truck and movers a few days ahead, and even earlier on holidays and at the end of the month, when many people move. Agree in advance with the new landlord when he will hand over the keys.

Movers and trucks, who to look for

Cairo has moving companies that pack your things, take apart and reassemble furniture and bring a closed truck. This costs more but suits a family with a large flat.

If you have few things, a small truck with a driver and two or three loaders is enough. In Egypt such vehicles are called “rub naql” (a pickup) and “nuss naql” (a bigger truck). People find them through recommendations, in community chats and on services where several providers see your request at once, for example Homerun.

If furniture does not fit on the stairs or in the lift, it is lifted or lowered with a winch through a balcony or window. Ask in advance whether this service is available and how much it costs.

How to agree on the price

The price depends on the volume of things, the floor, whether there is a lift, the distance and extra services. There are no standard rates, so compare offers from two or three providers. Send them photos or a video of the rooms so the estimate is fair.

• Ask for one price for the whole job, not “we will see as we go”, and confirm it in writing in the chat.
• Check what the price includes: how many loaders, taking apart and assembling furniture, packing, carrying up floors without a lift.
• Ask who is responsible if something gets broken or scratched.
• Do not pay the full amount upfront. Usually part is paid at the start and the rest after unloading.
• Tips for the loaders are not required, but people often give them after heavy work.

How to pack your things

• You can ask for boxes at supermarkets and electronics shops or buy them from the moving company.
• Label every box with the room and what is inside. Wrap dishes in paper or towels.
• Carry documents, passports, money, your laptop and chargers yourself, not in the truck.
• Photograph furniture and appliances before loading, so you have proof if something gets damaged.
• A split air conditioner should be removed and installed only by a technician, otherwise you can lose the refrigerant gas and damage the pipes.
• Defrost the fridge the day before the move and drain the water from the washing machine.

The bawab, the lift and building rules

Tell the bawab (the building doorman) the day and time of the move. He will tell you whether furniture can go in the lift, where the truck can park and at what hours the neighbours will not mind the noise. People usually give the bawab a small tip for his help.

In compounds the rules are stricter. A permit from the management is often needed to take furniture out or bring it in, and sometimes it is issued only after a check that you owe no service charges. Ask the compound office about the procedure a few days ahead, otherwise security may not let the truck through.

How to hand back the flat and get the deposit back

The deposit is returned after the flat is inspected, so prepare for the inspection in advance.

• Clean the flat and take out the rubbish. If a deep clean is needed, book it in advance.
• Walk through the flat with the landlord and compare it with the photos you took when moving in.
• Photograph the meters, pay the last bills and show the landlord the receipts.
• Return all keys and remotes, and confirm that you received the deposit with a receipt or a message from the landlord.
• If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, ask him to explain exactly why and rely on the lease.

Moving from Cairo to Hurghada

Hurghada is about 460 kilometres from Cairo, and a truck with your things spends almost the whole day on the road. Such a move is booked separately: agree on the price for the whole trip, the departure time and who will meet the truck on arrival.

Many flats in Hurghada are rented furnished, so it is often cheaper to sell bulky items in Cairo through the furniture section and take only personal things. Ask to see the new flat on a video call, and read about the districts in the article life in Hurghada.

A checklist for the new flat

On moving day, check everything before you start unpacking.

• Electricity, water and gas meters: the balance and whether previous tenants left debts. More in the article utilities in Egypt.
• Water: pressure, the water heater, leaks under the sink.
• Gas: piped or a cylinder, and no smell of gas.
• Air conditioners and sockets: does everything work.
• Locks: changing the front door lock cylinder gives peace of mind.
• Photos of every room and appliance, sent to the landlord in the chat.
• The lease in your hands. The landlord must report a foreign tenant to the police, and a foreigner also has to report a change of address, so check the procedure with the passports office or your university.

How Tullab helps with a move

Find movers, trucks and furniture assemblers in the moving and transport section: listings show the district, terms and contacts, and you can call the author or write in Telegram.

Do you carry loads or assemble furniture yourself? Post a listing for free with your district, vehicle type and how to reach you. You can also sell or give away things you no longer need before the move.