Moving house is frequently said to be one of the most stressful things anyone can do.
The massive investment both financially and emotionally can take its toll, especially if the process takes months to complete.
It is why anything that helps to elevate some of the stress along the way can be hugely beneficial. This includes addressing some of the practicalities in advance, and having a list of who to notify when you move can help.
We look at some of the organisations and companies who you may need to contact when you move home
Dozens of companies will need to know your new address, whether this is an insurer who may use them to help calculate your insurance premiums or a retailer who need to know where to send the clothing you ordered online.
Without updating them, you may endure a bigger headache from moving home than you had anticipated.
North London estate agent Jeremy Leaf, said: ‘When moving home, it is vital to plan ahead. Moving day can come upon you very quickly, particularly if there is a short time between exchange and completion.
‘Buildings insurance is the most important thing that needs arranging on your new property as soon as you have exchanged contracts.
‘Confirm your moving date with your removals firm and make a list of who needs notifying about your impending change of address – the electoral roll, the DVLA, Amazon and other delivery firms, particularly supermarket deliveries. The last thing you want is for your orders to turn up at your ‘old’ address once you have moved.
‘Don’t forget to change your council tax, while utility providers will also need informing, and given final meter readings. The more you plan ahead, the smoother the process will be.’
A checklist for who to notify when you change address can help to elevate some of the stress of moving home
Tom Parker, of property website Zoopla, agreed: ‘Moving home can be overwhelming with so much to do. When it comes to notifying organisations, it’s best to divide it into digestible categories like work, household and vehicle.
‘Notifying your employer is a top priority, especially if your payslips are sent to your home. If you own a vehicle, ensure you update your driving licence, insurance providers and vehicle logbook.
‘Make sure you also notify organisations like your broadband, utilities, insurance providers and council tax. Finally, don’t forget the small things like magazine subscriptions and store cards.’
Here we look at some of the organisations and companies who you may need to contact when you move home.
Employment
Perhaps one of the most important and probably most overlooked places that need to be notified of your change of address is HMRC, which needs to know for tax purposes.
Similarly, your employer needs to know when you change address for your payroll, so that it can update your contact details.
In addition, your National Insurance number helps the Government to identify you and is used by the organisations such as the DVLA and HMRC, so this will need your new address attached.
Household
There are various companies providing services to your household that will need to know about your move so that they can update your contact information.
In some cases, you may end up continuing to pay for a service in your former home that you are no longer using if you fail to update these companies.
They include your cable or satellite provider, your phone and broadband company. It is also important to update your TV licence contact details, which can be done up to three months before a move.
Vehicles
You can update DVLA via its website and within two to four weeks, you should receive an updated licence and V5C log book documents for your car. Failing to update the log book could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
You will also need to notify the supplier of your vehicle breakdown cover and your car insurer.
Insurance
Most insurers take postcodes into account when calculating premiums and the cost of insurance cover, so they will need to be notified of your change of address.
You may need to contact those insurers who provide cover for household contents, health, life, travel and your pets.
Healthcare
As well as your health insurer, you will also need to provide your address to other healthcare organisations.
For example, if you change doctors when you move home, you will need to let your old doctor know so that your medical information can be forwarded to your new doctor. This may similarly apply to your dentists and opticians.
Utilities
Your gas, electricity and water suppliers will need your updated contact information, even if you are leaving them behind at the old property and taking on new suppliers.
It can take a couple of days for energy providers to update your information, so it is worth contacting your suppliers ahead of your move. However, you may be able to move your deal to your new property.
Make sure you take readings of your utilities on the day of your move so you can update your suppliers with these and only pay for the amounts you have used.
Royal Mail’s redirection service may be worth considering as it forwards any post sent to your former address to your new address. You can apply for the redirection up to three months before your moving date.
Money
There are several companies and organisations that fall into this category and will need to know your new contact address.
They include bank and building societies, your pension providers, loan companies, credit card providers and store cards. If you are on a state pension, the Government will need to know your new details.
Similarly, you will need to update your address for council tax purposes.
Others include your accountant as you don’t want important tax documents going to your old address (if you are not using the a postal redirection service). And don’t forget updating NS&I with your new address if you put money into premium bonds.