Who to Notify When Moving House

Moving house involves much more than packing boxes and hiring a van. One of the most important but often overlooked parts of the process is making sure everyone who needs to know about your change of address is properly informed. Failing to notify the right organisations and individuals can lead to missed bills, fines, lapses in service, or even identity fraud. In the UK, a structured approach to notifications can help you avoid these problems and ensure a smooth transition from your old address to your new home.

Whether you are renting, buying or downsizing, knowing who to notify and when can make all the difference. From government bodies to utility providers, each has a specific role in your daily life and needs accurate contact details to continue delivering essential services.

Government Departments and Local Authorities

One of the first notifications should be to HM Revenue and Customs. Whether you are employed, self-employed or retired, HMRC needs your up-to-date address to send tax documents, National Insurance information or correspondence about Child Benefit, Tax Credits or Self Assessment. You can update your details online through your personal tax account.

You must also inform the Department for Work and Pensions if you receive benefits, pensions or Universal Credit. Payments could be delayed or stopped if they are linked to your old address. The DVLA is another key organisation. You are legally required to update the address on your driving licence and vehicle log book. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to £1,000. You should also inform your local council to ensure council tax billing is accurate at both addresses and to manage your bin collection services.

If you are registered to vote, you should also update your details on the electoral roll. This helps maintain your credit record and ensures you can vote in upcoming elections. The General Register Office and your local GP surgery should also be informed so your NHS records follow you correctly.

Financial Services

Banks, building societies and credit card companies must be notified to keep your accounts secure and ensure you continue receiving important information. This also applies to insurance providers for home, contents, car, health and life insurance. Policies may be affected by a change in postcode, especially where premiums are calculated based on local risk.

You should contact any companies that manage investments, pensions or ISAs to keep your records current and avoid missing statements or tax notices. If you use online payment services such as PayPal or Apple Pay, update your billing address to prevent transaction issues.

Loan providers, student finance organisations and HMRC’s Child Maintenance Service should also be contacted directly to avoid disruptions or miscommunication.

Utilities and Household Services

Gas, electricity and water suppliers need to be notified to close or transfer accounts. Provide accurate final meter readings to ensure you are only billed for the energy or water you have used. Arrange to start new accounts at your new address or compare prices to switch providers.

Inform your broadband, mobile and landline phone companies as early as possible. Moving these services may require notice periods or engineer visits. Your television licence must also be updated, as it is address-linked and legally required if you watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer.

TV and streaming services such as Sky, Netflix or Amazon Prime should also be updated to avoid service issues, especially where devices are address-specific.

Work, Education and Healthcare Contacts

Your employer will need your new address for payroll and HR purposes. If you are self-employed or run a limited company, update Companies House and HMRC records accordingly.

Inform any schools, nurseries or childcare providers of your new location to ensure safeguarding protocols are followed and communication is maintained. Universities and student loan services must also be informed.

You should register with a new GP or dentist if moving to a different catchment area. This helps maintain continuity of care and allows for the safe transfer of your medical records.

Subscriptions, Shopping and Loyalty Schemes

Update your address with any newspapers, magazines, subscription boxes or loyalty schemes such as supermarket points cards. Online retailers like Amazon or eBay should also be updated to ensure future deliveries are made to the correct address.

If you have regular prescriptions delivered or use food delivery services, make sure those profiles are updated before you move.

Redirecting Post

Even with a comprehensive list, it is easy to miss an account or forget a small subscription. Setting up a mail redirection with Royal Mail is a valuable safety net. This service forwards any mail sent to your old address to your new one for a set period, usually three, six or twelve months. It helps protect against identity theft and ensures you do not miss important documents.

Case Example

A couple relocating from Surrey to Yorkshire informed their utility companies, council tax office, bank and employer but forgot to notify their TV licensing and car insurance providers. They were surprised to receive a penalty letter after a roadside check revealed their car was registered to the wrong address. They later discovered their home insurance had become invalid because it was still linked to a property they no longer lived in. After correcting all the details and setting up a postal redirection, they avoided further issues.

Conclusion

Notifying the right organisations when moving house is essential to avoid legal problems, service disruptions and administrative headaches. Start early, keep a checklist and consider overlapping services to ensure continuity. By updating everyone from your local council to your broadband provider and bank, you will make the transition to your new home as stress-free and secure as possible.