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Moving house is an exciting time, there’s no doubt about it, especially for first-time buyers. Getting caught up in the excitement can often distract you from the essential steps outside furniture removals.

There is a whole list of potential people and organisations you may need to inform. Below is just the essential list for 99% of Brits moving house within the UK.

When moving house in the UK you should inform:

1. The DVLA – this is one of the most important contacts. If you’re pulled over by police and you display a license with the wrong address you could end up with 3 points on your license.
2. Royal Mail – you need to set up a redirect of mail from your old address to your new one, especially if you’re not in direct contact with the buyer.
3. Your Bank – this one may seem obvious but it is essential. Inform your bank about your change of address to ensure all correspondence reaches you.
4. Council Tax – notify your local council to update your address for Council Tax purposes. Check that your new address is added to the records for local services.
5. Credit Card Company – Update your address with your credit card provider to ensure your statements and bills are sent to the correct place. Missing payments from address confusion can affect your credit score and incur late fees.

We’ll cover each of these in more detail below.

1. The DVLA

Amid the chaos of moving, updating your address with the DVLA might seem minor, but it’s a crucial step. Failing to do so can lead to missed tax or MOT reminders, risk of identity fraud, or even a hefty £1,000 fine.

It’s also a legal requirement, while incorrect details could invalidate your car insurance.

Update your driving licence, vehicle log book, and Direct Debit (if you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit) promptly, ideally two weeks before you move, to prevent any issues.

2. Royal Mail

One of the biggest challenges of moving is ensuring your post follows you to your new address.

Forgetting to update banks, insurers, and utility providers could lead to sensitive documents, like bank statements, ending up in the wrong hands, putting you at risk of fraud. Plus, you wouldn’t want to miss personal letters or invitations from loved ones.

To avoid this hassle, you can arrange to have your mail redirected with Royal Mail’s Redirection service, ensuring your mail reaches you for 3, 6, or 12 months when you settle into your new home.

Arrange to have your mail redirected with Royal Mail’s Redirection service, ensuring your mail reaches you for 3, 6, or 12 months when you settle into your new home.

3. Your Bank

Your address plays a key role in verifying your identity, so keeping it up to date with your bank or building society is essential. Failing to update your details promptly could leave you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

Most banks allow you to change your address easily through online banking, but you can also visit a branch if needed.

To avoid any issues, update your information as close to your move date as possible, ensuring important documents, like statements and account notifications, reach you securely at your new house.

Failing to update your details with your bank or building society promptly could leave you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

4. Council Tax

Before moving day, notify your local council about your change of address to support a smooth transition in your council tax payments.

If you’re moving within the same local authority, you can usually transfer your direct debit, making the process easier. However, if you’re relocating to a different area, you’ll need to set up a new account with the relevant council.

Aim to register at your new address immediately to avoid backdated charges and unexpected bills.

Notify your local council about your change of address promptly, to support a smooth transition in your council tax payments.

5. Credit Card Provider

It’s essential to inform your credit card provider when you move house, to prevent missed statements, late fees, or security risks if sensitive mail is sent to your old home. An outdated address can also lead to inconsistencies across your financial records, which may affect your credit score.

Moving house can cause a temporary dip in your score, as lenders view stability favourably, but ensuring all of your accounts reflect your new address can help minimise this.

Additionally, avoid applying for a new credit immediately after moving. Lenders may see frequent address changes and new applications as signs of financial instability.

Is there anything else I should remember?

Yes, meter readings. Make sure you read your gas, electricity and water meter and take down readings for your old property and your new property. This will save you a lot of stress down the line.

I hope this guide has been useful to you and makes your move more smooth than it already is with our removals and storage service by your side.

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How Can We Help

We hope this post on who to inform when you move house, UK, helps make moving easier.

At Falconer Removals, we understand that moving house isn’t just about transporting your belongings, it’s about making the entire transition as smooth as possible.

Our team ensures that your move is stress-free, so you can focus on settling into your new home and handling important updates, like notifying relevant organisations about a change in your address.

If you have any more questions about how we can help you, please feel free to contact us here.