Who Do I Need to Inform When I Move House?

Moving home marks an exciting new chapter, but there can be a lot to think about. As legal professionals, we frequently advise clients that keeping your address records up-to-date is not just good practice, it can prevent lost correspondence, billing errors, identity complications and even legal problems.

Below we set out which organisations you must inform when you change address, when to do so, and why it matters.

Why You Must Update Your Address

Legal requirement - Some organisations (such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)) require you to keep your address current under statute or regulation. Failing to do so can lead to fines or invalid documentation.

Continuity of service - To ensure your utilities, insurance, banking and other services remain uninterrupted.

Avoiding missed correspondence - If you don’t notify organisations, important documents (such as tax notices, insurance renewals, claims correspondence) may go to your old address and be delayed or lost entirely.

Personal security - Having old address details may allow identity-theft risks or mis-billing.

Conveyancing and property transaction implications - If you buy or sell a home or refinance, your conveyancer (or solicitor) will likely need your correct address history.

When Should You Notify Organisations About Your New Address?

1. Begin as soon as you’ve fixed your moving date or exchanged contracts (if buying) or given notice (if renting). Many organisations ask for at least 2–4 weeks’ notice.
2. On the day of your move (completion day): take final meter readings, notify utility companies of move-out/move-in, set up mail redirection with Royal Mail.
3. Within a few days of settling in: confirm your address with all organisations you anticipated, register with new GP/dentist if moving area, and keep copies of confirmations.
4. Keep the redirection service running for at least 3–6 months (or up to 12) in case any correspondence still goes to the old address.

What Organisations Do You Need to Inform About a Change in Address?

Below is a comprehensive checklist broken down by category. You can use this as a master list to tick off your notifications.

1. Government & Legal Bodies

• HMRC: For your tax records, benefits, pension and national insurance.
• DVLA: To update your driving licence and any vehicle registration (V5C) details.
• Local Council: For Council Tax purposes and to ensure you are on the electoral roll at your new address.
• DWP (Department for Work and Pensions): If you receive benefits, pension or tax credits.
• Electoral Register: Ensures you are eligible for voting and helps proof-of-address verification.
• Other statutory bodies: If you are registered with any regulated body or receive correspondence from government agencies (for example HM Courts & Tribunals Service).

2. Utilities, Home & Personal Services

• Gas, electricity, water suppliers: Provide final meter readings at your old address and start/transfer services at your new property.
• Broadband, landline, mobile phone, TV subscriptions: Set up transfer or switch provider as needed.
• TV Licensing: If you have a licence, update your address to avoid enforcement issues.
• Home security / alarm services, satellite TV, smart meter registration.
• Post redirection: Set up via Royal Mail to cover any mail sent to your old address.

3. Financial & Insurance Institutions

• Bank and building society accounts: Ensure your address is updated for secure communications and statements.
• Credit card, loans, hire-purchase agreements, mortgages: These lenders need correct address details.
• Pensions and investment platforms: For correspondence and tax notifications.
• Home & contents insurance (and if buying ask your conveyancer to check whether your cover needs to start at exchange or completion).
• Car insurance: Your premium may change depending on your new address; failing to notify may invalidate cover.
• Life, health, pet insurance: Update address to ensure claims can be processed correctly.

4. Healthcare, Education & Employment

• GP surgery, dentist, optician (and any specialist appointments): Register with new providers if moving area; otherwise inform existing providers of your new address.
• Schools, colleges, nurseries: If your children move schools or location, early notification is essential.
• Employer / payroll / pension scheme: Your HR department needs your up-to-date residential address.
• Professional or trade associations: If you are a member, update your details to ensure you receive any critical regulatory communications.

5. Subscriptions, Online Services & Personal Contacts

• Online retailers (e.g., Amazon, eBay) and any delivery accounts: Update your default delivery address to avoid mis-deliveries.
• Loyalty schemes, club memberships, gym/health club, magazine subscriptions: They rely on correct address to send notifications or cards.
• Household services: Notify gardeners, cleaners, maintenance contractors, car-parking permits administrators, etc.
• Friends, family, social networks: Send out a change-of-address notification (email, social media, card) so you don’t miss important personal mail, cards or gifts.

6. Any Other Organisations

• Charities you donate to, professional networking groups, library membership, parking permits, pet microchip database (if you have pets and their registered address matters).
• Also remember to update your address on any online accounts (cloud storage, streaming services) and review automatic payments linked to your former address.

What Are the Legal / Practical Risks of Not Updating Your Address?

Service disruption: Your internet, utilities or insurance may be interrupted or invalidated.

Lost/delayed correspondence: You might miss deadlines or renewal reminders.

Incorrect billing: You could incur charges for services at your old property, or your new property may not have services activated in time.

Insurance invalidation: Insurers may refuse claims if they discover you failed to update your address and risk profile changed.

Fines/penalties: For example, failing to update your address on your driving licence with the DVLA is an offence carrying fines.

Credit / identity risks: If financial institutions cannot reach you, you may miss critical alerts about your account or become vulnerable to fraud.

Conveyancing complications: When selling or buying, your solicitor needs accurate contact details to send pre-completion or post-completion documents.

Council tax and electoral irregularities: If you remain registered at the old address, you may be paying for unoccupied property or be removed from the electoral register.

How Our Conveyancing Team Can Help You

At Hegarty, our residential property team assists clients not only with the legal process of buying or selling a home, but also in ensuring all post-completion administrative tasks are addressed. While our primary role is legal, here are a few ways we add value in relation to your move:

• We prepare completion statements and advise on key dates, helping you synchronise your move with service transitions.
• We highlight to you any utilities, taxes or obligations that you may need to consider (for example Council Tax or Stamp Duty deadlines).
• We verify your identity and address history as part of our regulatory compliance (so keeping your address up to date is helpful).
• We can refer you to trusted specialists (surveyors, removal firms, insurance brokers) to make the physical move smoother.
• We issue clear post-completion guidance so that you hit the ground running at your new home, and avoid the pitfalls of missed notifications.

If you’re about to move home and would like specialist advice on any aspect of your property transaction - from the contract to completion and beyond - we’d be happy to assist.

Contact Hegarty today for a consultation with one of our friendly experts.