Return move in September: what to do before, during and after

September comes sooner than you think

Between the summer at the beach and classes starting again, six weeks go by on average. They sound like a lot, but if you haven't found the new flat yet, organised the box delivery and done the cleaning, you realise time gets very tight very quickly.

This is a practical guide to organising your return to Milan without arriving on 15 September with everything to do at once. The timings are designed for those who left their boxes in storage in June and need to get them back for the new academic year.

4 weeks before: lock in the date and the new address

First step is obvious but often forgotten: knowing WHERE your boxes will arrive. If you've already signed the contract for the new place, you have the address. If you're still searching, plan a temporary solution (a trusted friend, a transitional student residence, your parents' if they're nearby).

Important: even if your contract starts on 1 September, the agency or owner often hands over the keys a few days later. Don't schedule the delivery on the first possible day — leave a 2-3 day margin to handle delays.

With Smoves you can book the delivery online by entering the date and new address. Date changes are free up to 10 days before delivery.

2 weeks before: prepare the new place

When the boxes arrive, the last thing you want is to pile them in a corner of an empty room. Ideally the flat should already be clean, with utilities active and minimum furniture (at least the bed and something to put things on).

Also check: how does the operator get in? Working lift? Permits needed for the driveway? Is there a concierge or do you have to be there yourself? Tell the delivery service before the day — especially if the building has specific constraints.

1 week before: confirm and final details

A week before, double-check the booking: date, address, any notes. If you changed your phone number or want to update the address (it happens), let the service know.

Mentally prepare a priority list: which box do you open first when everything arrives? Typically: clean sheets, a towel, a few plates and glasses, urgent books for the first classes. Having this list in mind makes the first night in the new place much less chaotic.

Delivery day: what to check

When the boxes arrive, before signing the delivery check two things: the total count (must match the quote) and the integrity of the seals. With Smoves each box has a unique numbered seal that confirms it wasn't opened during storage.

If you see a broken seal or a number different from the original, flag it immediately to the operator before signing. Much easier to handle a problem on the spot than days later.

Once signed, you get a delivery confirmation by email with all the seal codes. Keep it — useful as a reference.

After delivery: unpack with a plan

Resist the urge to open everything. Open only the "priority" box you prepared in May (see our packing guide if you didn't). From there work in order: first what you need to sleep and eat, then clothes and daily items, then books and study material.

Keep empty boxes — they're handy again next May. If you have no space, dispose of them in cardboard recycling or give them to someone moving in around the same days.

Common return mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Most common one: booking the delivery too early, before having the keys to the new place. Result: boxes arrive and you don't know where to put them. Always better to leave an extra day of margin.

Second mistake: forgetting that September traffic in Milan is October-level. Delivery service schedules fill up fast. Booking late risks losing the time slot you wanted.

Third: not communicating address changes. It happens that you sign a contract, change your mind, find another place. The delivery service works with the address you provided — communicating changes a few days in advance avoids complications.