Who to tell when you move house: a UK change of address checklist
A clear UK checklist of who needs your new address, from council tax and the DVLA to your energy supplier, GP and bank, and when to tell them.
Who do you need to tell when you move house?
When you move house in the UK, you need to tell your local councils, the DVLA, HMRC, your bank, your GP and your employer. Your energy, water and broadband providers, TV Licensing and your insurers need to know too. You should also register to vote at your new address and think about Royal Mail redirection.
That sounds like a long list, but most changes take a few minutes online. The trick is to keep a simple list, tick each one off and note the date you did it. This guide works through who to tell when you move house, roughly in the order that matters most.
For the wider timeline of a move, from booking to unpacking, see our moving house checklist. Use this page alongside it for the change of address side.
Which councils need to know, and what about the electoral register?
Tell both councils about council tax: the one you are leaving and the one you are moving to. Your old council will work out a final bill up to your moving date. Your new council will set up your account from the day you move in. Most councils let you do this online.
Council services such as bin collections and parking permits are handled locally, so check what your new council offers and how to sign up. Rules vary from council to council, so it is worth looking at their website once your move date is fixed.
Registering to vote is separate from council tax. You can register at your new address on the GOV.UK website. Being on the electoral register can also help with credit checks, so it is worth doing promptly. If you are a tenant, your landlord or letting agent should also have your forwarding address for the return of your deposit.
How do you update the DVLA and HMRC?
If you drive, you must tell the DVLA when you change address. You can update your driving licence online through GOV.UK. If you own a vehicle, you also need to update the address on its V5C registration certificate, often called the log book.
These are two separate changes, so do both. Keeping your licence and vehicle details correct matters, and you can be fined for not telling the DVLA about a change of address. Your car insurer needs your new address too, which is covered below.
Tell HMRC about your new address so your tax records are correct. You can usually do this online through your personal tax account on GOV.UK. If you receive benefits such as Child Benefit or Universal Credit, update your address through the relevant service as well.
Which money and work contacts need your new address?
Tell your bank, building society and any credit card providers. Most let you update your address in their app or online banking. Change the address on one account at a time and check each one has saved, as missed accounts are a common source of lost post. Do the same for loans, savings accounts, investments and any store cards you still use.
Let your employer know so payslips, your P60 and any letters reach you. If you have a workplace or private pension, contact each provider separately, as your employer does not do this for you. If you receive the State Pension, tell the Pension Service.
Other contacts are easy to forget. Think of your mobile phone provider, subscription services and online shopping accounts, plus the Student Loans Company if you have a student loan.
How do you handle utilities, meter readings and broadband?
Contact your gas and electricity supplier a few days before you move. Take meter readings on moving day at both properties, and photograph each meter with the date showing if your phone allows. This is your best protection against being billed for someone else's energy.
Tell your water company at both addresses, and set up accounts with the suppliers at your new home. If you do not know who supplies the new property, the previous owner, landlord or letting agent can usually tell you.
Broadband needs the most notice. Contact your provider several weeks ahead to move your service or arrange a new one, as installation dates can take time to come through. If you need to work from home straight away, ask about this when you book. Check whether you are in a minimum contract period, as moving or ending a contract early can have conditions attached. Mobile data can tide you over for a few days if the installation is late.
Do you need to tell TV Licensing and your insurers?
Yes. You can change the address on your TV Licence online, and it is best done before or on your moving day. If you are moving in with someone who already has a licence, you can ask about cancelling or moving yours instead.
Tell your home insurer as early as possible. You may need new buildings cover if you are buying, and your contents cover should run from the moving date. Some policies have conditions about cover during the move itself, so check yours.
Your car insurer must know your new address, as it can affect your policy. Update pet, travel, life and health insurers too, if you have them.
Should you set up Royal Mail redirection, and who else is on the list?
Royal Mail redirection is a paid service that forwards your post to your new address for a set period. It is a useful safety net for anything you forget to update, and it helps protect you from identity fraud. Set it up at least a week or so before you move so it is active in time.
Register with a new GP and dentist if you are moving out of their area. Your new GP practice will arrange for your medical records to be transferred. Tell any hospital or clinic you are under, and your optician and pharmacy.
If you have school-age children, contact the admissions team at your new council about a school place, and tell your children's current school. Nurseries and childminders need notice too. Finally, update your vet and your pet's microchip, and tell friends and family. Keep your list somewhere safe for a few months, because the odd letter to your old address can turn up long after you have moved.
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Questions about this guide
Start a few weeks before for broadband, Royal Mail redirection and insurance. Most other changes, such as banks and the DVLA, can be done in the week before or straight after your move.
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