Moving to a new house can be an exciting time, but it also comes with a long list of tasks to complete.
One of the most important things you need to do is change your address with all the services that you use.
So, here’s a checklist to guide you through the process of who to tell when changing your address.
1. Notify the Post Office
The first step in changing your address is to notify the Post Office and get a mail redirection service set up.
There are several ways you can do this, either online, by phone, or in person at your local post office.
Once your change of address has been processed, the Post Office will forward your mail to your new address for up to 6 months.
There is a charge for this service, but it’ll ensure you won’t miss any vital post.
It’s also worth leaving a note for your home’s new owner asking them to send on any mail that may slip through the net.
You can leave them some pre-addressed A4 envelopes and a book of stamps to make it easier for them to do.
2. Update your Driver’s License
Your driver’s license should reflect your current address and it’s an offence not to notify the DVLA/DMV or equivalent agency.
In the UK, there’s no cost for updating the address on your driving licence and you’re legally allowed to drive while waiting for your new licence to arrive.
Make sure you notify your car insurance company as well as it’s highly likely that the move will impact your premium. You might be lucky and it’ll actually go down!
In the UK you’ll need to update your V5C Vehicle Log Book as well, and if you’re a member of the AA, RAC or similar breakdown service, let them know too.
3. Update your bank information
These days we all tend to have multiple bank and building society accounts, both with high street and online institutions.
You’ll need to notify them about your change of address so that your bank statements and other important financial documents are sent to the right address.
Fortunately, many of us opt to bank online and have important notifications sent to us via email so you’re less likely to miss anything.
But it’s still important to keep your address up to date with all the accounts you hold.
4. Update your voter registration details
If you’re registered to vote, don’t forget to update your voter registration details with your new address.
You can do this by contacting your local council/authority or election office.
Councils routinely send out forms for homeowners to complete to ensure they have the current details on file.
5. Update your Council Tax details
In the UK you’ll also need to provide the local authority with your details to register for Council Tax.
Make sure you notify your current authority if it’s different to your new one.
6. Notify essential services
You’ll need to notify all the essential services you use, such as your utility companies, insurance providers, and healthcare providers of your change of address.
For many of us this can be a lengthy list so carefully go through all your documents to ensure you cover everyone.
Again, it’s important to cancel you’re existing utility services, such as gas, water and electricity that you’re moving from so you don’t accrue any unexpected bills.
If you still use a landline, you’ll need to tell your provider you’re moving house and ask them to migrate the number for you.
It’s likely it’ll be the same company who provides your internet broadband service so you can change these details at the same time.
Don’t forget to change your TV licence information as well if you intend to watch BBC channels in the UK.
7. Update your online accounts
Don’t forget to update your address on your online accounts such as Amazon, eBay, and PayPal.
It’s likely that you’ll have many more as well and it’s sometimes difficult to keep track of everything you’ve signed up to.
However, failing to notify companies that you order items from could result in your deliveries going to the wrong address.
At best this could cause a headache for you as you’ll have to go to collect them, while at worst the items could ‘go missing’ and you’ll have to raise a claim with the company you ordered from.
Concentrate on the companies you use regularly to start with and work your way down the list.
8. Register at the GP surgery nearest to you
It’s essential to have your medical records updated with your new address, especially if you have a chronic condition or need regular check-ups.
Contact your local surgery and ask them to update your medical records with your new address.
It’s also advisable to register at a local dentists as well, if they have capacity for new patients.
There’s no reason why you can’t stick with your old dentist, but it might mean a long journey to receive treatment which is not ideal in an emergency.
9. Notify your employer
If you’re employed, don’t forget to notify your employer of your change of address.
This will ensure that any information from the company that’s posted out will get to you.
It’s crucial to do this if you have a pension with the company to ensure any confidential financial documents are received.
If you have other pensions from previous jobs, or private pensions, do the same with them as well.
10. Update your subscriptions and memberships
Don’t let your favourite magazines and club memberships be interrupted because of your move.
Contact the companies and organisations you’re subscribed to and ask them to update your address.
Think about things like gyms, golf clubs, spas or similar.
Also, you’ll need to update any billing information with digital subscriptions, such as to TV providers like Netflix, Paramount and Disney.
11. Change your address with the Inland Revenue/HMRC/IRS
It’s important to let the tax agencies know that you’ve changed address, especially if you’re self-employed.
They’ll need you current details for correspondence and to send any tax rebates that you may be due.
You should also update your National Insurance information as a matter of course.
12. Update your Address with other Government agencies
If you receive services or support from the Government, such as unemployment benefits or Child Benefit, it’s important to update your address with them as well.
Contact the agencies you receive services from and ask them to update your address.
13. Notify your child/children’s school
If you’re a parent of school aged children you’ll need to let their educational facilities know your new address.
It’s worth remembering that changing address can have an impact on catchment areas so this is something to consider when choosing a location for your next property.
14. Property services
If you employ a cleaner, gardener or anyone else to help maintain your home, let them know your new address and that you will continue to use/no longer need their services as a courtesy.
15. Other financial/professional services
If you have a solicitor/financial adviser or similar that helps manage your affairs, make sure they have your latest address.
This is crucial for them to be able to send important documents to you, some of which will require action on your behalf.
16. Premium Bonds
Any Premium Bond holder will tell you how they’ve dreamed of spending the top £1 million prize, but they need to be able to let you know!
Rumour has it that an agent from Premium Bonds personally visits all top prize winners each month to share the good news.
Of course, I’m sure they’ll contact you by other means as well if they find you’ve moved so you don’t have to worry too much.
Still, it would be nice to get that knock on the door…
17. Loan companies
It might be tempting to ‘forget’ to notify the companies you owe money to, but they’ll find you eventually.
To avoid defaulting on any loans and ruining your credit score you should always let your creditors know where you’re currently living.
18. Vet / pet insurance
If you’re moving home with a pet, such as a cat or dog, it’s important to register at a vet near your new house for both routine appointments and supplies and emergency treatment if needed.
Likewise, if you have pet insurance let the company know so their records are up to date.
19. Distant friends and relatives
We all lose track of friends and relatives, only to suddenly realise that we’ve forgotten to send them a Christmas card when theirs drops through the letterbox.
So it’s wise to keep a list of people who are perhaps not close but whom you’d like to keep in touch with and send them a little ‘we’ve moved’ card when you’re in your new pad.
Conclusion
Changing your address when moving house is an important step in ensuring that your mail and other important documents are delivered to the right place.
It may seem like a tedious task, but it’s one that you should complete as soon as possible.
You could always use it as an opportunity to scrutinise the services you’re signed up to and see if you still need them.
You might find you can actually save some money by getting rid of subscriptions that are no longer useful to you.
