It's not just your friends and family who need to know your new address. Who else do you tell when you're moving house?
Moving house is stressful enough - let alone having to switch utilities and updating your address with all the important suppliers. One almost always slips through the net.
We asked the #go2mortgages instagram community to send in their key ones and this is what we came up with:
- Utilities - Gas/Electricity/Water. Make sure your providers know when you are moving so that you are not charged for utilities that you haven't used. Some providers may take up to 48 hours to update your information, so be wary of these time frames when updating your policies. Don't forget to take a reading of your gas and electricity on the day you leave to send them! And be aware that you may be charged for ending policies early, but you might be able to move your current account deal across to your new property. This MIGHT also be a good time to compare providers as you may be able to get a better deal elsewhere (although with the current cost of living crisis many providers are not taking on new customers - so you may need to stick with the same provider).
- Royal Mail - Redirect Post. You can set up a temporary postal redirect for your post to be delivered from your old address to your new address. This gives you a bit of breathing space and you can contact the relevant people who send you post with your new address in this time. You can apply for this up to three months before the date of your move (FYI it takes 10 days to implement).
- Inland Revenue. Arguably one of the most important ones. Inland Revenue need to know your new address for your taxes. Find out how to update this information here.
- Broadband. We doubt anyone forgets this one! Updating your address on your broadband subscription is often a good opportunity to wangle a better deal for your new home. It's also worth finding out if your new home requires a new satellite dish or cable to be installed before you update this information too, otherwise you'll be paying for services that you can't use.
- TV License. Your TV license will not be valid in your new property so you'll need to update this information on the TV Licensing website. You can do this up to three months in advance of your moving date.
- Car Insurance. You'll need to inform your car insurance provider about your change of address too. This is for both your insurance payments and your contact information in case of an accident. Sadly, there may be a change in your payment rate depending on where you live so you may see your prices go up (or down) when you change address. Things like off road parking or street parking can effect your insurance policies too. You can change your information either online if you've registered your account or over the phone if you haven't.
- DVLA Driving Licence. Your driver's licence will need to be updated with your new address as soon as possible. This can be done on the DVLA website for free and they should send you an updated licence (which normally arrives in around 2-4 weeks).
- V5C Vehicle Log Book. An important one to remember for your vehicle tax. Not updating this may result in a fine of up to £1000. You can do this via post or online here.
- School/University/Education. Updating your address with your children's schools is important so that they have the right contact information. Private schools and universities will also need this information so they can send over semester or annual tuition fees.
- Doctor/Dentist/Vet. These providers may change with your new address as there might be one closer to your new home. It's worth letting them know you're moving at the last check up so that they can pass your information across to your new doctor/dentist/vet etc.
- National Insurance. Your National Insurance (NI) number is frequently used by the government to help identify you and is required by the DVLA, HMRC and your employer. That means it's extremely important to update your national insurance information. You can find the phone number and opening times online, but you'll need your NI number ready to fully change your information.
- Electoral Roll. When you change address, you'll need to re-register on the Electoral Roll for your new area with your updated details. This can be done by visiting https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
- Council Tax. To update your Council Tax address, you'll need to visit the relevant gov.uk site for your move.
- Employer. Your employer needs to know of a change of address so they can update your contact details, but more importantly they need to know for your payroll.
- Amazon/Apple Pay/One Click Purchases. You don't want any packages or just eat deliveries being sent to your old address!
This is by no means a definitive list! Just what our community sent through as the crucial ones. You may have other services you will need to consider; cleaners, gardeners, window cleaners, accountants, solicitors. Or any recreational subscriptions like gyms, clubs and societies. Don't forget about the boring ones too; banks or building societies, premium bonds, pensions, loan companies, credit/debit card companies.
You will also need to update your insurance policies like pet and travel insurance accounts too. Now is also a great time to review your current protection policies - which is where we can help at go2mortgages. We are experts in life insurance, income protection, critical illness cover and buildings and contents insurance. Reach out to one of our advisors today on 📲 01242 237866 or 📧 liam@go2-mortgages.co.uk to talk through your situation. Reviewing your policies is super important. There may be a different (and more relevant) option available to you now, that wasn't available before.
