Moving guide
Who to Notify When Moving House in the UK
When you move, tell your old and new councils, gas, electricity, water and broadband providers, bank, insurer, employer, healthcare providers and electoral registration service. Update your driving licence and vehicle V5C separately if applicable. HMRC says to update your personal tax address after the move, not before; Northern Ireland's licensing process differs.
Applies to: UK-wide overview; responsibilities can vary by circumstances and nation.
Government and official records
Tell the council you are leaving and the council you are joining about council tax or relevant local rates. If you drive, update both your driving licence and vehicle registration log book (V5C), plus vehicle tax Direct Debit details if applicable. HMRC provides a separate address-update service for personal tax, benefits and the State Pension and says to wait until after you move for its personal address service.
Practical checklist
- Council tax / local authority
- DVLA driving licence
- DVLA vehicle log book (V5C)
- HMRC personal records
- Electoral registration at the new address
Money, work and insurance
Notify banks and card issuers, your employer or pension administrators, lenders and your insurers. For contents and home insurance, check cover dates and whether your goods are covered while in transit. If you are moving to a rental, verify tenancy deposit and inventory arrangements.
Practical checklist
- Banks, building societies and credit cards
- Employer, pension and payroll
- Home, contents, vehicle and pet insurance
- Mortgage or landlord / letting agent
- TV Licence where relevant
Household services
Update gas and electricity suppliers with final and opening meter readings. Contact broadband and mobile providers early if your connection needs to transfer. Notify your water supplier where applicable, and arrange post redirection if you want extra protection against missing letters.
Practical checklist
- Gas and electricity suppliers
- Water supplier
- Broadband and landline
- Royal Mail redirection if needed
- Delivery subscriptions and loyalty accounts
Healthcare, education and people
If you are changing area, consider whether you need a new GP, dentist, nursery or school. Update prescriptions and any regular deliveries, and tell family or support services who need a reliable contact address.
Practical checklist
- GP, dentist and repeat prescriptions
- School or nursery
- Family and important contacts
- Regular delivery and online shopping accounts
Keep proof and check afterwards
Keep a record of what you changed and when. Do not assume that updating a driving licence updates the V5C, or that one government service updates every department. Read each organisation's confirmation carefully.
What to read next
Continue with the most relevant next step, or explore the moving journey.
References and further reading
These are the original legal, regulatory and professional sources used to inform this article. MMG explains the key steps above so you do not have to follow external links to find the answer. Circumstances and UK jurisdiction can affect the rules, especially for legal or financial decisions.
- GOV.UK: DVLA address changes(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: HMRC address service(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Register to vote(opens in a new tab)
My Move Guide publishes general information, not personalised legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Estimates and requirements differ by location and circumstances.