To help take the sting out, we’ve put together our change of address checklist, so you'll know exactly who to notify and what to do when moving home. From utility providers to your local GP!
1. Redirect Your Mail
It’s always a good idea to redirect your mail when you move out of your old address. It’s astonishing how many correspondences you get from various places. You may not remember to change your address on absolutely everything and you don’t want your mail going to your old address for months (sometimes even years) after you have moved.
Make sure your information is protected and identity theft is prevented by getting your mail redirected by Royal Mail. Do this in advance of moving day. It takes around a week to process, and you can apply to redirect 6 months before or after your moving day. There may be a small charge involved with redirecting your mail, but it will be worth it if you can avoid your paperwork falling into the wrong hands! The fee starts from around £34 for three months, and you can redirect your post for up to 12 months to your new address.
2. Change your Car Insurance Details
You’re not the only thing moving, your car needs to make the journey too! Simply update the information on your car insurance, car ownership certificate and your driving license. We know moving is a busy time, but you can do this online on the GOV.UK website, or if you have the time, visit your nearest Post Office to submit the paper application. Your car insurance company also needs to be informed of your change of address, as most policies are based on location. If your area is considered to be more high risk, you may end up paying slightly more, but if it’s considered safer, you could end up getting a refund.
3. Take Final Meter Readings
Before you move, remember to take your final water, gas and electricity meter readings. Notify your suppliers before you move so you aren’t then billed with someone else’s usage. Moving home is also a good time to consider changing suppliers to get the best deals. Let your utility provider know your moving day around a month before the date, provide your new address, and remember to submit your final meter readings on moving day.
4. Change Address Details on the Electoral Role
By updating your information on your electoral role, you can ensure that you get to vote in local and national elections at your new address. Being registered at your new address will also help to improve your credit score as it helps lenders check your name and address.
5. Change Address for Deliveries
Are you someone with a lot of subscriptions or do a lot of online shopping? When you move into your new home, you should change your address on these platforms so that your deliveries arrive at the right place. Imagine your devastation when your Amazon parcels keep arriving at your old address!
6. Inform the Local Authority
You must remember to inform the local authority that you’ve moved as you will need to register to pay council tax. Some wait to get a letter from the LA regarding their council tax, hoping they will get away with it for a few weeks but it does get backdated and you’ll have to pay either way so you’re better off just getting on with it.
7. Inform your GP about your Address Change
You'll need to tell your GP, dentist and any other medical professionals about your change of address so they can update your records. If you’re moving to a different catchment area, it will probably be easier to sign up to a new GP anyway, in which case you will need to inform them of a new address.
8. Inform the Bank About your Change of Address
It’s super important to inform your banks, building societies, insurance companies or any other businesses that deal with your finances so they can update their records of you. You don’t want any bank details to be sent to your old address... For all you know, there’s an evil genius living there now. If your mortgage is with your current bank they should update all your records automatically but it’s still worth checking. You'll also want to cancel any direct debits that are no longer required.
9. Change Your Address for Subscriptions
Remember to change the address for those monthly things you may take for granted, like gym, Netflix, and magazine subscriptions. It's easy to forget to update the address related to these services, especially if on a rolling contract. Postal subscriptions will need to be updated too, so you don't miss out on your newspapers/magazines at your new home.
10. Change Address Details on TV License
You need to notify your TV licensing company about your change of address and the date that you’re moving to your new house. This will ensure that you are covered from the day you move in.
11. Update Your House Insurance
It's important to remember to update the details on your home and contents insurance, as your insurance premium is likely to change alongside your address. Your insurance provider will likely deem an area riskier or safer than your old address, and your insurance costs will then reflect this.
A change of address is the perfect time to research switching your home insurance provider, especially as you'll likely have an up-to-date inventory list to inform your contents insurance. Even if you see no change in insurance cost, it's vital they have an up-to-date address for bills and further contact.
12. Tell Friends and Family About Your Address Change
This is entirely up to you. You could go into hiding for a couple of weeks so you know there will be no unannounced visits. That could be considered pretty harsh though. Go ahead and let your family and friends know where you are.
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