Moving your belongings is only half of moving house. The other half is moving your life on paper, and there are more organisations to tell than most people expect. Miss one and you could end up with bills at your old address, post landing with strangers or, in a few cases, a fine.
This checklist sets out who to tell when you move house in the UK, grouped so you can work through it steadily over the weeks around your move rather than all at once.
In short: tell government bodies (DVLA, HMRC, your council and the electoral register), your bank and other financial providers, your insurers, your utility and broadband suppliers, your GP and other health services, your employer and schools, and set up a Royal Mail redirection to catch anything you miss.
When Should You Start Telling People You Are Moving?
Start around two to four weeks before your moving date, once your date is fairly certain. Some organisations, such as energy suppliers and broadband providers, need notice in advance. Others, such as DVLA and the electoral register, can only be updated once you have moved in. Our eight week moving house timeline shows where these tasks fit alongside packing and booking your removal.
Which Government Organisations Do You Need to Tell?
DVLA
You must update the address on your driving licence and on the vehicle log book (V5C) for every vehicle you keep. Both can be done online and are free. GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your address changes. You can change the address on your V5C online as well. If you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit, update that too.
HMRC
Let HMRC know so your tax code, Self Assessment and any tax credits or refunds reach the right place. You can tell HMRC about a change of address online.
Your local council
Tell the council at your old address when you are leaving, so your council tax bill can be closed, and register with the council at your new address. If you are moving within the same area, one call or online form usually covers both. GOV.UK’s council tax pages explain how bills and discounts work.
The electoral register
You need to register to vote at your new address. Being on the register also helps with credit checks, which matters if you are applying for anything soon after moving.
Benefits and pensions
If you receive benefits or a State Pension, tell the office that pays them. Changes of address can affect payments, so do this promptly.
Which Financial Providers Do You Need to Tell?
- Your bank and building society
- Credit card and loan providers
- Your mortgage lender, if you are keeping the same one or porting a mortgage
- Workplace and private pension providers
- Investment and savings providers, including Premium Bonds
Uncollected financial post is a common route to identity fraud, so it is worth updating these first.
Which Insurers Do You Need to Tell?
Tell your home and contents insurer before you move, as cover and price are based on your address. Check that your belongings are protected in transit and in your new home from the day you move in. Update your car insurance, as your premium may change, along with life, pet, travel and gadget policies. MoneyHelper, the free government backed guidance service, has impartial information on choosing insurance.
Which Utilities and Services Do You Need to Tell?
Gas and electricity
Give your current supplier notice of your moving date and take meter readings on the day you leave. At the new home, take opening readings as soon as you arrive. If you do not know who supplies the new property, you can check using the industry’s Find My Supplier service.
Water
Close your account at the old address and open one at the new address. Water companies are regional, so the supplier may change. Water UK’s supplier finder will tell you who to contact.
Broadband, phone and TV
Broadband can take a couple of weeks to set up, so book it early to avoid living without Wi-Fi. Also tell TV Licensing your new address, along with any streaming or satellite providers.
Which Health Services Do You Need to Tell?
If you are moving out of your GP practice’s area, you will need to register with a new one. You can find a GP near your new home on the NHS website. Tell your dentist, optician and any hospital departments treating you, and update your details with your pharmacy if you use a repeat prescription service.
Who Else Should You Tell?
- Your employer, so payroll and pension records stay accurate
- Schools, nurseries and colleges, particularly if you are changing schools
- Your vet and your pet’s microchip database
- Subscriptions and memberships, such as magazines, gyms, clubs and charities
- Online shopping accounts, so parcels do not go to your old address by default
- Friends and family, who may appreciate a change of address card
If you are leaving a rented home, your landlord or letting agent also needs your forwarding address for your deposit return. Our tenant’s guide to moving out explains the steps.
Should You Redirect Your Post?
Yes. However careful you are, a few letters will still go to your old address. A Royal Mail redirection forwards your post to your new address for three, six or twelve months. Set it up at least a week or so before you move so it is active from day one. It is a small cost that protects you from missed bills and identity fraud.
Don’t Forget Your Removals Company
If anything changes before moving day, such as your completion date, the new address, parking arrangements or the amount you are taking, let us know as soon as you can. Changes are easy to plan for in advance and much harder on the day. Our guide to what to expect on moving day explains why these details matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I tell first when moving house?
Start with the organisations that need notice, such as your energy supplier, broadband provider, landlord and insurer. Then set up post redirection, and update DVLA, HMRC, your council and the electoral register once you have moved.
Is it a legal requirement to tell DVLA I have moved?
Yes. You must update the address on your driving licence and vehicle log book, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not.
Is there one service that tells everyone I have moved?
No. There is no single government service that updates every organisation with a change of address, so you need to contact each one separately.
How long should I redirect my post for?
Most people choose at least three months. Six or twelve months gives extra peace of mind if you have lots of accounts to update.
Do I need to re-register with a GP when I move?
Only if your new home is outside your current practice’s area. Check with your practice, and register with a new one if needed.
Let Us Handle the Heavy Lifting
While you work through the paperwork, our team takes care of the move itself, from packing and transport to storage if your dates do not line up. Call 0151 343 1264 or get your free moving quote.