Start With Royal Mail Redirect
Before anything else, set up a Royal Mail Redirect (around £36 for 3 months, longer options available). It catches anything you forget. Set the start date for moving day.
It does not replace updating your address — it just buys you time to find things you have missed.
Tier 1: Do These in the First Week
Government and council
- HMRC (income tax, child benefit, tax credits)
- DVLA — driving licence (free) and V5C log book (free, but post)
- Electoral Register at the new address (gov.uk/register-to-vote)
- Council tax — both old and new councils
- TV Licence
- State pension or DWP (if applicable)
- Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance if you receive them
- Passport — only on renewal, not urgent unless travelling
- NHS — register with a new GP and dentist
Financial
- Bank(s) and building society
- Credit cards
- Mortgage provider
- Pensions (workplace and personal)
- Investments and ISAs
- Loan providers
- HMRC self-assessment if you are self-employed
Insurance
- Home contents (often a new policy needed, not a transfer)
- Car insurance — premiums can change with postcode
- Pet insurance
- Life insurance
- Private health insurance
Tier 2: Within 2 Weeks
Utilities and household
- Gas and electricity — give meter readings at switch-over
- Water supplier
- Broadband and phone — book installation early
- Mobile phone provider (for billing address)
- Boiler service contract
Work and education
- Employer or HR
- Pension and payroll
- School, nursery or university
- Student loans (SLC)
Vehicle
- Breakdown cover (AA, RAC, Green Flag)
- Parking permits at the new address if needed
Tier 3: Within a Month
Subscriptions and memberships
- Amazon Prime (and any other delivery services)
- Streaming services (Netflix, Disney+ — usually just billing)
- Gym membership
- Magazines and box subscriptions
- Charity donations and direct debits
- Loyalty cards (Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, Boots)
- Professional bodies or unions
Healthcare
- Optician
- Specialist consultants if you see any
- Prescription delivery services
Personal
- Family and friends — group message saves time
- Online shops with saved addresses (Amazon, ASOS, etc.)
- PayPal and other payment services
- Cryptocurrency exchanges (KYC requirements)
Tier 4: Whenever You Remember
- Old college or university alumni
- Magazine subscriptions you forgot you had
- Online forums or hobby groups
- Old loyalty schemes
- That one charity you donated to in 2018
This is what the Royal Mail Redirect catches. Update them as the redirected post arrives.
A Few Tips That Save Time
- Update online wherever possible — phone calls take longer
- Do it in batches — bank one evening, government services another
- Keep a list of who you have notified and when (a simple spreadsheet works)
- Update one device at a time — Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon all have separate address books
- Watch for confirmation emails — chase any that do not arrive
Things People Forget Every Time
- DVLA log book (V5C) — not just the licence
- Car insurance postcode — affects premiums
- TV licence
- Electoral register — affects credit score
- Online shopping default address — leads to parcels going to the old place
- Pet microchip database
- PayPal billing address
- Apple ID address (used for receipts and tax)
Special Cases
If you are moving from rented to owned (or vice versa) — update your tenancy or mortgage details with your bank; they often need proof of address for credit assessments.
If you are moving abroad — completely different list. Talk to HMRC about tax residency, and your bank about international accounts.
If you are moving for work and keeping the old property — double-check your home insurance. Leaving a property "empty" for over 30 days can void cover.
Quick Checklist
- Set up Royal Mail Redirect first
- Tier 1 (government and money) in the first week
- Tier 2 (utilities, work) in the first 2 weeks
- Tier 3 (subscriptions, healthcare) within a month
- Keep a tracking list of who has been notified
- Do not forget DVLA log book, electoral register and online shopping
Ready to Focus on the Move Itself?
We cannot update your address for you — but you can take the rest of the moving day off your plate by booking a good removals company. Use our calculator for a benchmark price first.