Who to Inform When Moving House in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Government and Local Authorities

When it comes to informing the government, a few key organisations need to be updated to ensure that your records are accurate and up-to-date. Missing these updates can lead to delays in services, fines, or missed benefits.

Council Tax

Your local council needs to be informed of your change of address so that your Council Tax records can be updated. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your payments are up to date, and you won’t be charged incorrectly for services at your old address.

Electoral Roll

Updating your address on the electoral roll is essential for maintaining your voter registration. Not only does this ensure you can participate in elections, but it also helps verify your identity with banks, lenders, and other service providers.

DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)

If you drive, it’s legally required to inform the DVLA of your new address. You’ll need to update both your driving licence and vehicle logbook (V5C). Failure to do so could result in fines or difficulties in receiving important documents related to your driving records.

HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) and DWP (Department for Work and Pensions)

Whether you’re receiving benefits, pensions, or child tax credits, notifying HMRC and the DWP is essential to ensure your payments continue without disruption. This also applies if you have tax liabilities or any other financial dealings with the government.

2. Utilities and Service Providers

Your utility services are essential for maintaining a smooth transition when moving into a new home. It’s important to inform your utility providers of your move to prevent service disruptions and ensure that final bills are accurate.

Gas, Electricity, and Water Suppliers

Contact your energy suppliers well in advance of your moving date to provide final meter readings and set up your services at the new address. This will help avoid overcharging and ensure a smooth handover of services.

Internet, TV, and Phone Providers

For households with broadband, TV, or phone services, these will need to be transferred to your new address. Ensure you notify your providers in time to avoid service interruptions and to make sure you don’t pay for services you’re not using.

TV Licence

If you have a TV licence, it won’t automatically update with your address. To avoid being charged a penalty, update your details with the TV Licensing authority as soon as possible.

3. Financial Services

Moving to a new address can affect various aspects of your finances, so it’s crucial to inform financial institutions about your relocation. This will ensure you continue to receive important information without delay.

Banks and Building Societies

Be sure to update your bank, credit card providers, and any building societies with your new address. This will ensure that you continue to receive bank statements, correspondence, and any other important financial documents.

Loan and Mortgage Providers

Your mortgage provider and any other loan providers should be updated with your new address to prevent missed communications or important notices regarding your payments or interest rates.

Insurance Providers

Whether you have home, car, life, or pet insurance, your provider needs to be informed of your move to ensure your policies remain valid. Additionally, if you’re changing homes, you may need to update the details of your home insurance policy to reflect the new property.

4. Healthcare Providers

Your health and wellbeing are essential, so it’s crucial that your healthcare providers are informed of your change of address to ensure continuity of care.

GP, Dentist, and Optician

If you are moving to a new area, registering with a new GP and dentist should be one of your first tasks. Even if you’re staying within the same area, updating your details ensures that you won’t miss important health-related correspondence.

Private Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance, notify your provider of your new address to ensure that your coverage continues without issues, and to keep your records up to date.

5. Employment and Education

Employment and education-related organisations also need to be notified of your move to ensure you don’t miss out on important updates or payments.

Employer

Your employer will need your new address for payroll, tax, and pension purposes. Updating your details ensures that your salary and benefits are processed correctly, and that you don’t miss any official communications related to your employment.

Schools and Universities

If you have children, it’s important to notify their school or nursery of your new address to ensure that all records are updated. Similarly, if you’re studying at a university, make sure your institution has the correct address for any correspondence or student loan updates.

6. Subscription Services and Memberships

If you’re subscribed to any services or hold memberships, these should be updated to prevent interruptions to your deliveries or services.

Unions and Professional Bodies

If you’re a member of any union or professional body, don’t forget to update them with your new address. Unions like UNISON, UNITE, and GMB provide essential support and services, and keeping them informed ensures you continue receiving membership benefits. Similarly, professional bodies such as the General Medical Council (GMC) for doctors, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for barristers, RIBA for architects, and the ICAEW for chartered accountants require up-to-date contact details to maintain your professional standing, receive regulatory updates, and avoid disruptions in communication. Notifying these organisations ensures a smooth continuation of your professional and union-related services.

Subscription Boxes and Streaming Services

If you receive subscription boxes (e.g., beauty boxes or meal kits) or use streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, make sure your address is updated to avoid missing any deliveries.

Gym and Club Memberships

For those who are members of gyms, fitness clubs, or professional organisations, updating your address ensures that you continue to receive relevant communications and membership cards.

7. Friends, Family, and Personal Contacts

Don’t forget the personal touches! Let your friends, family, and close contacts know your new address so they can continue to stay in touch and send you important personal mail.

Making the Process Easier

Notifying all these organisations may seem daunting, but there are ways to simplify the process:

• Use a Mail Redirection Service: Royal Mail offers a mail redirection service to forward post to your new address for up to 12 months. This can help reduce the risk of missed mail.
• Make a Checklist: Organising a checklist for who to inform can make this task more manageable and ensure you don’t miss anything.
• Update Online: Many service providers now offer an online form to easily change your address on their website, making the process quick and efficient.

Conclusion: Stay Organised for a Smooth Transition

Moving house can be an overwhelming process, but by keeping track of the important people and organisations to notify, you can make your relocation much easier. Updating your address ensures that you don’t miss any important documents or services and prevents costly mistakes or delays.

At David Duggleby Movers & Storers, we understand the challenges of moving house and are here to help with all your relocation needs. Reach out to us for a smooth, stress-free move.