Have Your Information in Place Before Moving

Miami-Dade County's Moving Ordinance protects consumers.  If you are planning a household move, the Miami-Dade County Moving Ordinance can help you.  The information provided in this article will answer many moving related questions, explain the major provisions of the Moving Ordinance, and help make your relocation less problematic.

The Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department (CSD), Consumer Protection Division, licenses and regulates moving companies located in Miami-Dade County that perform moves within the South Florida area (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties).  If you are moving from Miami-Dade County to another part of Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties, or you are coming from Broward or Palm Beach Counties to Miami-Dade, your move is covered by the Miami-Dade County Moving Ordinance.

Choosing a Mover
All businesses located within Miami-Dade County that perform South Florida household moves must be registered with the County.  The registration number (example: MR-1234) must also be placed in all advertising including the Yellow Pages listings and on all estimates and contracts.  Each moving truck must display the moving company's name, physical address, telephone number and registration number on the doors and a CSD decal on the lower left corner of the front windshield.  It is recommended that you check with CSD's Consumer Mediation Center regarding a mover's licensure status and complaint history prior to contracting with them to perform your move.

Estimates
Movers are required to provide you with a written estimate.  It is recommended that you obtain several written estimates before deciding on a mover.  Remember, the lowest estimate is not always the best deal. You must be provided with the opportunity to sign a copy of all estimates you receive.  However, signing the estimate does not obligate you to enter into a contract with the mover.

When getting estimates, show the movers or describe in detail everything that needs to be packed and moved.  It is important that you tell the movers whether there are stairs or elevators located at either site of your move or if there are any moving time/day restrictions.  If you fail to provide information at the time of your estimate, it may add to the cost at the time of your move.  Make sure your written estimate includes everything you plan to have moved.

Movers cannot charge you separately for equipment such as pads, blankets, strapping, dollies, etc. or for packing materials if the mover does the packing.

Movers may charge you for an estimate if they clearly and conspicuously disclose to you in writing the amount of the charge for preparing the estimate and get your written authorization on the written estimate to prepare an estimate.

Whenever possible, it is recommended that you have the mover come to your location to create the estimate.  This minimizes the likelihood of a misunderstanding between what you want moved and what the mover thinks you want moved.

Contracts
The mover you choose must present you with a contract and a Tri-County Consumer Bill of Rights/Disclosure Statement for your signature before the move begins.  The contract and Disclosure Statement must contain the final cost of your move and may not exceed the written estimate unless you have added items to be moved or failed to provide information at the time of the estimate.

The contract and Disclosure Statement must state the acceptable methods of payment.  A mover must accept at least two of the three following forms of payment: Cash (including bank checks and money orders); valid personal checks; or valid credit cards (including Visa or MasterCard).

Inventories 
Before loading your property onto a truck, the mover is required to prepare and provide you with a written inventory.  The inventory lists each piece of property you are moving, including the number and sizes of boxes.  The mover may charge you for the preparation of an inventory only if that charge has been disclosed to you in writing beforehand.  If you choose to do so, you may inform the mover in writing that you do not want an inventory.

Insurance      
Movers must insure your property at a minimum of sixty (60) cents per pound per article.  This coverage, called valuation, is at no cost to you.  However this free minimum coverage does not change with the value of your property.  For example, if you have a five (5) pound table lamp valued at $300 and it is damaged or lost, you are only entitled to $3.00 for your claim regardless of the lamp's replacement or declared value.

Movers are required to offer you the opportunity to purchase added value coverage.  If you are concerned that the minimum coverage may not be adequate, consider purchasing the added value coverage at an amount closer to the declared or replacement value.  The amount of added value coverage you purchase is up to you.  Ask you mover for details and costs associated with added value coverage.  If a deductible applies, you are still entitled to the standard valuation coverage of sixty (60) cents per pound on the deductible amount.

Claims  
You have sixty (60) days after the final delivery of your household goods to notify the moving company in writing of any claim for loss, damage or delay.  No claim for damage may be denied solely because the damage was not noted at the time of delivery.  You must be notified of the status of your claim within 90 days of receipt of the claim.  

Complaints
If your move results in a dispute and you can not resolve it directly with a mover or moving business, contact CSD's Consumer Mediation Center via telephone at (305) 375-3677 or the Web at www.miamidade.gov/scsd.  Experienced Investigative Analysts will investigate your complaint and contact you with the results of the investigation as well as any recommended courses of action.   

If your complaint involves your belongings being held hostage by the mover, you have the right to post a bond with the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts, Court Registry.  The posting of the bond will allow you to retrieve your belongings.  The mover is required by law to release your belongings once presented with the bond. If the mover refuses to do so, contact the police department of jurisdiction for assistance.  For information regarding the bond process, call (305) 275-1155 and then press zero (0). 

Other Moves
The Miami-Dade County Moving Ordinance offers protections to consumers involved with South Florida moves.  However, if you are leaving South Florida or coming from outside South Florida, then your move is not regulated by the County's Moving Ordinance.  For moves within Florida, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (800) 435-7352.  For state-to-state moves, contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at (888) 368-7238.

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