Who to Notify When Moving House
By Lauren Prescott, removals specialist with 15 years of industry experience · Updated January 2025
You need to tell four main groups about your move: government and legal bodies, your bank and insurers, health and education contacts, and everyday service providers. Working through the list a fortnight before you move, with Royal Mail redirection as a backup, means nothing important goes missing in the post.
The short answer
- Notify both councils, HMRC, DVLA and your pension provider of the move.
- Tell insurers before you move, not after, especially for home and car cover.
- Update your GP, dentist, employer and your children's school.
- Set up Royal Mail redirection as a safety net for three to six months.
- Work through the list in groups rather than trying to do it all at once.
Government and legal bodies
This group matters most because mistakes here can mean fines or missed official correspondence. Most can be updated online and take only a few minutes each.
- Your old and new local councils, for council tax
- HMRC, particularly if you are self employed or claim tax credits
- DVLA, for your driving licence and vehicle log book
- The electoral roll, so you can vote at the right polling station
- Your workplace or private pension provider
- The Passport Office, if you have a renewal pending
Money, insurance and benefits
Insurers in particular need telling before you move rather than after, since your address affects your premium and a claim made from an unnotified address can be refused.
- Banks, building societies and credit card providers
- Home contents and buildings insurance
- Car insurance, which may change with a new postcode
- Life insurance and income protection policies
- Any loan, mortgage or finance agreement
- HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions if you receive benefits
Health, school and work
Moving even a short distance can take you out of catchment for your current GP or school, so it is worth starting this process as early as possible.
- GP surgery, dentist and optician
- Your employer's payroll and HR team
- Your children's current school, and the new school if applicable
- Any specialist clinics or ongoing hospital appointments
Everyday services and subscriptions
This is the group most often forgotten, because missing one rarely causes an immediate problem, just a slow trickle of post going to the wrong address for months afterwards.
- Energy and water suppliers
- Broadband, mobile phone and TV licence
- Breakdown cover and vehicle warranty providers
- Vets, if you have pets registered at a local practice
- Magazine subscriptions, loyalty schemes and online retailers
A simple way to organise it
Rather than trying to remember everyone at once, work through the table below over a few evenings. Doing it in groups makes the task feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
| When | Group | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Government and legal | Councils, HMRC, DVLA |
| 3 weeks before | Money and insurance | Bank, home and car insurance |
| 2 weeks before | Health and school | GP, dentist, school |
| 1 week before | Everyday services | Energy, broadband, subscriptions |
| Moving week | Royal Mail | Redirection as a safety net |
Set up mail redirection as a backup
However thorough you are, something will slip through. Royal Mail's redirection service forwards post addressed to your old home for a period you choose, typically three, six or twelve months, which covers anything you have missed while you catch up.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I start notifying people?
Start around four weeks before moving day with government and financial contacts, since some of these take longer to process, and work through the rest in the final fortnight.
Is Royal Mail redirection worth it if I have told everyone already?
Yes, it is a sensible backup even if you believe you have covered everyone, since it is common to forget at least one subscription or occasional correspondent.
Do I need to tell my mortgage lender if I am moving to a new mortgaged property?
Yes, your lender needs to know and will usually be involved in the process through your solicitor as part of the sale and purchase.
What happens if I forget to update my car insurance address?
Your premium is based partly on where the car is normally kept, so an outdated address could affect a claim. Update it as soon as your moving date is confirmed.
Planning a move?
BlueSky Removals gives fixed written prices after a free video or home survey. Call 0800 090 3125 or request a quote online.