How do you move in winter?

What should you think about when moving in winter?

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   Step 1: Check that the removal van and the trailer have winter tyres if you move between 1 December and 31 March.

   § 4 kap. 18 a § trafikförordning (1998:1276), checked 5 October 2026

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   Step 2: Ask the landlord or property owner to ensure the walkway and stairs are cleared and sanded on moving day. our advice

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   Step 3: Put down floor protection in both homes and keep a mat for shoes by the door. our advice

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   Step 4: Pack the computer and other electronics so that you can carry them in yourself, and let them reach room temperature before you switch them on.

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   Step 5: Start early in the morning so that the heavy carrying is done in daylight. our advice

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   Step 6: Photograph your belongings before they are carried out, so you have something to show if anything is damaged.

Source: Transportstyrelsen: Vinterdäck, Konsumentverket (the Swedish Consumer Agency): Anlita flyttfirma, tips vad du ska tänka på. Steps marked our advice are the editors' own.

Which tyres must the removal van have in winter?

From 1 December to 31 March, passenger cars, light lorries and the trailers they tow must have winter tyres or equivalent equipment when there are winter road conditions. Winter road conditions mean snow, ice, slush or frost on any part of the road, and it is the police who decide whether they apply at the location. The tread depth must be at least 3 millimetres, and studless winter tyres must be marked with the mountain and snowflake symbol.

The car must not have studded and unstudded tyres at the same time. If the car has studded tyres, the trailer must have them too. If you rent a heavy lorry, over 3.5 tonnes, the requirement applies from 10 November to 10 April regardless of road conditions. Trailers and driving licence categories are covered on the page about renting a one-way trailer.

Source: Transportstyrelsen: Winter tyres, Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) (riksdagen.se). 4 chap. 18 a and 18 b §§ traffic ordinance.

Who clears and grits at the house?

The rules differ between municipalities, and here are Gothenburg's. In Gothenburg, the property owner is responsible for sidewalks, stairs and walkways up to 10 meters outside the property line. If there is no sidewalk, the responsibility applies to 1.2 meters of the street. The property owner must also remove snow and icicles from the roof and can be liable for damages if someone slips. The city takes care of the streets and bus stops, which have a winter preparedness from October 15 to April 15.

If you live in a rental apartment or tenant-owned apartment, it is the landlord or association you should contact if the walkway is icy. Do it the day before, not in the morning when the car is outside.

Source: Gothenburg City: The property owner's responsibility, Gothenburg City: Snow clearance and ice control. The advice to contact the day before is ours.

How do you protect electronics from the cold?

Dell says that a computer brought from the cold into the warm should be allowed to adjust to room temperature, and that any condensation should have time to evaporate before the power is switched on. Otherwise it can be damaged. Apple says that an iPhone or iPad in severe cold can have shorter battery life, switch off or stop charging, but that battery life returns to normal when the device warms up.

Pack your computer, hard drives and phone in a bag that you carry yourself, and do not start the TV or computer until they have been indoors for a while. None of the sources state how long.

Source: Dell: Best practice for use and maintenance of laptop, Apple: If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold. The advice on the bag is ours.

How do you fit the move into the short daylight?

In southern Sweden the length of the day varies between 7 and 17 hours according to SMHI, and the shortest days fall in midwinter. Start early, do the heavy carrying in the middle of the day and have lighting for stairwells, storage rooms and loading bays. If you book a removal company, ask when they can come and how many hours they expect to need. When in the move you should book is covered in step 2, book a removal company, and what happens on the day in step 5, moving day.

Source: SMHI: Dagslängdens förändring under året. The advice on times and lighting is ours.

What applies if something is damaged on the way?

If the removal company damages or loses something, you have the right to claim compensation. The company must repair or replace the damaged item and has the right to try to repair it first. As a rule you cannot withhold part of the payment because of damage, but if the company is not finished on time you may be entitled to compensation. Photograph your belongings before they are collected. How to make a complaint is covered in the guide on damage and complaints.

Source: Konsumentverket: Problem med flyttfirma, Konsumentverket: Anlita flyttfirma, tips vad du ska tänka på.

How do you protect the floors from snow and grit?

Snow, salt and grit are brought in on shoes and boxes. Lay down floor protection or boxes in the hallway and along the carrying route in both homes, and have a mat at the door. This saves work before the cleaning and inspection of the old home. What is considered damage when moving out is stated in the guide to move-out inspection, and what you should manage before moving day in Your moving plan.

The tips on floor protection are the editorial staff's own.

The law behind it