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Moving to your new home

There is so much to organise in just packing for the move that important things are often over-looked. Use a checklist to make sure you've got everything covered.

When to tell people you're moving

It's best not to notify anyone of your address change until the contracts have been exchanged. Otherwise, if the sale fall through, you will need to contact everyone again.

Change of address service

You can tell many different organisations of your new address, including gas and telephone companies and government offices, by using the website 'I am moving':

Have you told your local rates office?

Contact your local rates office to let them know the date you move out of your current property and when you move into your new one so they bill you correctly. Please use the link below to find your nearest Land & Property Services rates office:

If you receive benefits, have you told your benefit provider?

Give your details to the local Jobs and Benefits or Social Security office. Please use the link below to find your nearest office:

Do you need a new doctor or dentist?

If you've moved area you may need to register with a new doctors' surgery (GP) or dentist. If you use other local medical services don't forget to find alternatives when you move.

Have you redirected your post to your new address?

You can download a form from the Post Office website. It can take up to 10 days to set up and there is a charge.

Have you told your electricity and gas providers?

You need to tell them at least 48 hours in advance that you are moving. Pass on the details of your current supplier to the people moving in. On your moving day you will need to read the meters in both properties so the correct bills can be issued. When you move in to your new home contact who you want to supply your utilities so they can register you as a new customer and start billing you from that day.

Have you updated your driving licence and vehicle registration documentation?

You must inform the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) immediately of any changes to your name, address or both. You must also inform the DVA if either the name and address details shown on the registration certificate are incorrect.

Have you updated your Electoral Register details?

The register is updated every month and you need to be included on it to vote.

You can download a registration form or get one at your local electoral office. Please use the link below to find your nearest office

Television, internet and telephone

Your television licence will need to be transferred to your new address. You can do this by calling:

  • 0300 790 6065

You can also do it online through the following link:

You’ll also need to contact your:

  • internet service provider
  • digital / cable / satellite TV supplier
  • landline and mobile phone provider

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

If you’re VAT-registered, use the online form to change your details:

You should contact HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to update their records for the following:

  • Income Tax (PAYE and Self Assessment)
  • National Insurance
  • Child Benefit
  • Child Trust Fund (you’ll also need to update your account provider)
  • Student loan (you’ll also need to tell the Student Loans Company)
  • Tax credits

You need to contact HMRC even if you pay tax through PAYE and have already told your employer or pension provider.

HMRC email service

You can send one email to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) which will update all of the records above except tax credits and Child Benefit. HMRC will also notify:

  • the Government Gateway
  • the Pensions service

It's important to know that the email service will only update your own personal details. If you've moved with your partner, they'll need to send a separate email to update their details.

For details of the email service, or to contact HMRC by phone or letter, see ‘Change of name or address – how to report it to HMRC’

Financial providers

When drawing up a list of who you need to contact, think about:

  • banks and building societies
  • insurance
  • investments and savings
  • private pension schemes (you’ll need to tell the pension scheme administrator)
  • credit and store cards

Telling your employer

Let your employer know if you move. You usually send this information to your company’s human resources department.

Student loans

If you change address it's important to tell your local Student Finance NI office. You can find more information in the link below:

More useful links