Signed a lease for a one-bedroom in Astoria. Management sent a lease rider saying keys are available Sunday at 10am. Super calls me today and says no moves on Sunday in this building, house rules. I already booked a U-Haul and two buddies for this Sunday.

Front door is a regular swing door, no freight elevator, four-story walk-up. Is this a real thing or just a super being territorial? I'm not taking a couch up the front steps if there's a service entrance, but there isn't one.

Can the management company put Sunday key pickup in the lease and then have the super block the move? Do I just show up and keep it quiet? I've lived here a while, but this one is new to me.

Oh man, I'm new to renting here and didn't know Sunday moves were a thing. I moved into my place in Harlem last month on a Sunday and nobody said anything, so maybe it's building-specific.

Did the super say why no moves? Is there a fine in the lease or house rules? I'd call management and make them put it in writing so you're not standing outside with a truck.

Congrats on the new place though! I know how stressful moving day is.

In a walk-up it's usually a super flexing, but not always. Co-ops and condos have house rules with no-move days, but rentals? If your lease actually says Sunday key pickup, you've got a good argument.

The real issue is if the super decides to be a hero and calls the landlord or locks the service area. If there's no service area, I'd call the management office now, ask for the specific rule, and get an email. Then move quick and don't block the stairwell with a dresser while everyone's going to work.

Also bring snacks for the super. Works more often than you'd think.

I just moved from out of state to a walk-up in Kensington and had a similar note in my lease, but the super was cool about it. Management sent me a little handbook that said no moving on Sundays and holidays, but nobody enforced it until the super told me a neighbor complained once.

Maybe ask if it's only the front entry? My building has a side door but it's basically for garbage. I moved on a Saturday instead to avoid drama. Could you reschedule the truck or ask if there's an off-hours fee?

Yeah I called management and they acted like the super was just informing me, not denying. They confirmed there's a house rule about Sunday moves if you're using a service elevator, but we don't have one. They said front-door moves are fine as long as you don't prop the door open.

So basically the super was full of it or didn't want to deal. I'm going Sunday anyway, but I'll tape the edges of the sleeper sofa and avoid the 8-10am rush.

HamiltonHeights_H, good call on getting email. first_year_in_nyc, that's exactly why I was confused. Some friends have moved Sunday and it was chill.

Question while we're on this: I'm in my first NYC apartment and our super doesn't allow moves after 5 PM on weekdays. Is that standard? I work until 6 and wanted to bring a small desk in after work.

Does anyone actually ask the super or just do a one-box trip through the front door? Also Nolita_N, keep us posted how Sunday goes. I'm invested now.

first_year_in_nyc, the evening rule is usually because walls are thin and people get home from work. A single box or a chair, nobody cares. But if you're running a dolly over the tile at 8pm, you'll meet the building group chat real fast.

For a desk, bring it in Sunday afternoon or just do one trip after 7 and don't make eye contact. If it's IKEA flat packs, even better. The less furniture-shaped the load looks, the less anyone will notice.

Wait, so the super can just have their own rules that conflict with management? That's wild. I thought the leasing office was the one to listen to.

I'm about to sign a lease in Bensonhurst. Should I ask the super directly before signing if there are no-move times, or trust the rider? The agent didn't mention anything.

Also Nolita_N, did you have to pay a move-in deposit? My friend said some buildings charge refundable if you damage the walls.

NewUtrechter, ask the super directly, but also ask for the house rules from management. Half the time the agent never read them.

I did not have to pay a move-in deposit here, but I've seen co-ops do it. In my old place they charged a small elevator key deposit and refunded it after the move.

The Sunday thing turned into a non-issue. Super just wanted to know nobody would pile a mattress in the lobby. We moved in 90 minutes.

Update: I asked my super about the after-5 thing and he laughed and said, this isn't an airport, just don't bring a piano. So I brought the desk in one trip through the basement door and left cookies for him.

The people in this building are way more normal than I expected.

Nolita_N, congrats! Did you have to carry everything up four flights? I thought I'd die on a fifth-floor walk-up and I only had three bags.

The cookie bribe is a core NYC survival skill. Also first_year_in_nyc, four or five flights will either keep you young or get you to hire TaskRabbit after the first heat wave.

NewUtrechter, don't confuse management rules with co-op board rules. In rentals, if it's not in your lease or a written rider, the super generally can't make up a restriction. In co-ops and condos, house rules can be much stricter. When in doubt, get it in an email so you're not out a truck deposit.

Thanks everyone, this is super helpful. I'm going to ask the super and get the house rules in writing before I sign. My lease they sent said moving allowed Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm, but no mention of Sunday, so Nolita_N's situation made me check.

I'll probably pick a Saturday to be safe. Also noted on TaskRabbit for the sofa. My back already hurts just thinking about a walk-up.