When you move house, one of the biggest admin jobs is updating your details. The problem is knowing where you need to change your address.
Banks, councils, insurers, utilities, and subscriptions all need the right information. With so many to keep track of, it’s easy to miss one, which can lead to late bills, cancelled cover, or even fines.
This guide gives you a complete change of address checklist. It shows you exactly who to notify before, during, and after your move.
Here’s the full change of address checklist, showing exactly where to update your details when you move house:
When to Change Your Address
It can be difficult to remember who you need to inform in the weeks surrounding your move. We have compiled a list of the most important organisations you must notify of your address change and organised it so you know exactly when to do so.
4 Weeks Before You Move
The weeks leading up to moving day are the perfect time to get ahead of admin tasks that can take longer to process. By notifying certain companies now, you’ll avoid last-minute stress, delays, or gaps in essential services.
- Inform your broadband provider as it can take up to 30 days to close an account or arrange any switch overs, including booking an engineer.
- Change council tax address so the local council can switch addresses and issue any refunds. If moving to a new area, the local council will set up a new account. Read more on our guide on council tax when moving house.
- Let insurers know so that you're covered from the day you move in.
The Week of Your Move
As moving week begins, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by packing, cleaning, and logistics. To keep things running smoothly, focus on updating your address with the most time-sensitive organisations.
- Let utilities know at least 48 hours before you move, as they will require meter readings to produce a closing statement.
- Arrange for mail to be redirected at least 5 working days before to make sure you receive any post intended for your old address.
- Tell your landlord 3 days before you move out to confirm your move-out date, plan for handing keys over and provide your address for forwarding.
Learn more with our moving house checklist.
After the Move
Once you’ve settled into your new home, don’t forget to update your details with key organisations so your records stay accurate and up to date. This will help ensure you receive important correspondence, remain on the electoral roll, and avoid potential fines.
- Provide utilities with meter readings on the day of moving in, so they know your billing starting usage.
- Update pet microchip on the day of moving in, in case your pet goes missing in your new area.
- Inform DVLA for a new V5C logbook and license, the day after moving in, to ensure that you get reminder letters and an updated ID.
- Let Governmental departments know on the next working day, so they can update HMRC and any benefit accounts.
- Register with the electoral roll the week after moving, as this enables you to vote in any local and national elections.
- Tell your employers the week after moving so they have the correct address for payroll and any mailing, including pensions.
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Who to Notify and Where to Change Your Address
The following are the key organisations and people you should inform of your new address to help prevent missed bills, appointments, or important updates. We've broken down the key contacts by category so you can work through them methodically.
Personal
One of the first steps is informing your employer or workplace of your move, as this will prevent any issues with your monthly wage or pension.
You must also notify your insurance providers; failure to do so can result in rejected claims and increased premiums. They will assess the new location and may change their costs based on whether they deem it a lower or higher risk.
Employer
Life insurance
National insurance
Electoral register (also known as the electoral roll)
Friends and family
Financial
You must inform all financial institutions to avoid missing important communications or payments.
If your mortgage is with your current bank, they will update your records automatically. For other financial accounts, you may be able to update your details through your online bank account or banking app, depending on the institution.
Bank
Building society
Pension
Premium Bonds
Loan companies
Credit card providers
Charities
Health
Health professionals must be notified of any change of address, especially when moving out of the catchment area. This includes your local GP surgery and dentist. Those moving out of their previous catchment area should seek out new health providers before their move, especially if they have repeat prescriptions.
Pets should also be included in this. Failure to change the address could result in any insurance claims not being paid out.
Health insurance
GP
Dentist
Optician
Vet
Pet insurance
Education
Educational establishments must be informed of address changes well in advance. You can do this by contacting the school admin.
Anyone in the household attending university must contact the Student Loans Company (SLC) to avoid payout delays.
Schools
Universities
Student Loans Company
Local Authority
You must inform your local authority if you’ve moved, even if you are moving in the same area.
There can be changes in tax payments and benefits where applicable. For example, you must inform your local council of any change of circumstances, including moving home, as a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is directly linked to your address, rent, and financial situation.
Council tax
Child benefits
Income tax
National insurance
State pension
Tax credits
Utilities
Utilities must be arranged before you move to ensure you have running water, gas, and electricity immediately.
You’ll need to take final meter readings for water, gas, and electricity for your current companies to receive your last bill.
Broadband provider
Electricity company
Gas provider
Water company
Phone/mobile company
Vehicles
Any vehicles registered with anyone moving to the new property must contact the DVLA to change the address.
Failure to change your address can result in fines and legal action being taken.
Car insurance
V5C vehicle logbook
Driving licence
Car dealership for lease vehicles
Vehicle tax
Household
Once you’ve reached completion day, you’ll need to move your household payments from your old property to the new one.
If you are moving before a contract term ends, you may be subject to an early termination charge if you cannot move the policy to the new property.
Recreational
If you have any rolling contracts, you’ll need to contact each company and change your address to prevent missing any mail.
Even if you take advantage of the Royal Mail’s redirect service, changing your address sooner prevents stress further down the line.
Gym membership
Magazine subscriptions
Store loyalty cards
Streaming services
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