Packing boxes is the visible part of moving house. The invisible part, telling the right organisations your new address, is the bit that quietly causes problems weeks later when a fine, a renewal or a tax letter turns up at your old front door. The good news is that it is entirely manageable with a clear list and a sensible order. This guide gives you the complete change-of-address checklist, grouped so you can work through it without missing anything, plus how to use Royal Mail redirection as a safety net. It is written by the Brighton and Sussex team behind house removals across Sussex, helping people move every week, so you can focus on settling in.
At A Glance
Do the legal and financial essentials first: Your local council, DVLA, HMRC, bank and employer matter most, because missing them can mean fines, missed tax letters or disrupted pay. Some are legal requirements with real penalties, so these go to the top of the list, ideally sorted around moving day rather than weeks later.
Set up Royal Mail redirection as a backstop: Redirection (from £45) catches the letters you forget, but it does not update your address with the sender and does not cover non-Royal Mail couriers, so treat it as a safety net, not a substitute for notifying people directly.
Let ESV handle the heavy lifting on moving day: While you work through your checklist, we handle the move. Deal directly with Peter from quote to final box. Call 07552 555 820, request a quote online or see recent move days on Instagram.
Who Do You Need To Tell When You Move House?
The five organisations to tell first when you move house are your council for council tax, the electoral register, DVLA, HMRC and your bank. After those, work through everyone else in this rough order:
- Legal and safety-critical: council, DVLA, HMRC, electoral register, anything with a penalty for not updating.
- Financial: bank, building society, credit cards, mortgage or lender, pensions.
- Home and utilities: energy, water, broadband, contents insurance.
- Health and family: GP, dentist, schools, vet.
- Everything else: subscriptions, deliveries, memberships, loyalty schemes.
Here is the whole checklist in one place you can print or screenshot, showing who to tell, when and how:
Your council (council tax): 2 to 4 weeks before. Online, telling both your old and new council.
Electoral register: As soon as you move in. Online at GOV.UK, free.
DVLA driving licence: 2 to 4 weeks before. Online at GOV.UK, free.
DVLA vehicle log book (V5C): 2 to 4 weeks before. Online at GOV.UK, free and separate from your licence.
HMRC: Around moving day. Online at GOV.UK.
DWP and benefits: Around moving day. Through each benefit you receive.
Bank, building society and cards: 2 to 4 weeks before. Online banking, app or phone.
Home, contents and car insurance: 2 to 4 weeks before. Online account or phone, before the move.
Energy and water: 2 to 4 weeks before, readings on moving day. Supplier account, with a photo of each meter.
Broadband: 2 to 4 weeks before. Book activation at the new address.
Royal Mail redirection: 2 to 4 weeks before, at least 5 working days ahead. Online with Royal Mail or at a Post Office.
TV Licence: Around moving day. Online with TV Licensing.
Employer and payroll: First 2 weeks after at the latest. HR or payroll.
GP, dentist, schools and vet: First 2 weeks after. Register or update with each, plus your pet's microchip.
Subscriptions and online retailers: First 2 weeks after. Update each account online.
Set up Royal Mail redirection to cover anything that slips through. Now work through the full list below.
Government And Legal
These are the most important, because several carry penalties if you do not keep them current.
- Local council (council tax and electoral roll): tell both your old and new council so your council tax is correct from day one. In Brighton, that is Brighton & Hove City Council.
- Register to vote: you must re-register at your new address; it is free, quick, and being on the electoral roll also helps with credit applications.
- DVLA driving licence: update your photocard licence, it is free and you can keep driving while you wait for the new one.
- DVLA vehicle log book (V5C): a separate record from your licence, so update it too. Updating one does not update the other.
- Vehicle tax Direct Debit and personalised plate documents (V750/V778): update these with DVLA as well if they apply to you.
- HMRC: tell HMRC so tax, National Insurance and any benefits or credits reach you.
- DWP and benefits: State Pension, Universal Credit, Child Benefit and any other benefits.
- TV Licence: update your address so your licence stays valid.
- Passport: the address is not printed in your passport, so it does not need changing for the document itself, but update it where it is held on file if asked.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA.
Local Pro Tip: Sort Brighton Council Tax and Parking Permits Early
If you are moving within or into Brighton and Hove, tell the council as soon as your dates are confirmed, both to close your old council tax account and open the new one. If your new street is in a permit-controlled zone, apply for your resident parking permit early too, as some seafront and central zones have waiting lists you do not want to discover on day one.
It is also worth checking your new property's recycling and bin collection days and ordering any caddies or bags you need. These small local admin jobs are easy to forget in the rush, but sorting them early makes the first week in a new Brighton home far smoother.
Money And Finance
Keep your money reachable and your statements going to the right place:
- Bank and building society current accounts and savings.
- Credit card and store card providers.
- Mortgage lender or, if renting, your letting agent or landlord.
- Pension providers and any workplace pension.
- ISAs, investments and share accounts.
- Premium Bonds (NS&I) and any other savings products.
- Student Loans Company, if it applies.
- PayPal and other payment accounts tied to your card address.
Updating your bank also keeps your card billing address correct, which matters for online shopping and fraud checks.
Home And Utilities
Sort these so you are not paying for a home you have left, or arriving to no broadband:
- Energy supplier (gas and electricity): take meter readings at both properties on the day.
- Water company.
- Broadband, landline and mobile providers: book broadband activation at the new place in advance, as it can take time.
- Contents and buildings insurance: update before the move, not after.
- Council bin and recycling services at the new address.
- Boiler cover, breakdown or service plans.
Local Pro Tip: Take Photos of Every Meter
On moving day, photograph the gas, electricity and water meters at both your old and new homes, with a timestamp if you can. It is the simplest way to avoid a dispute over a bill later, because you have clear evidence of exactly where each meter stood the moment you left and arrived.
Do the same with the condition of a rental property if you are a tenant, as dated photos protect your deposit. It takes five minutes and saves a great deal of back-and-forth weeks down the line.
Insurance And Cover
Insurers need your current address, and getting this wrong can invalidate a policy:
- Car insurance: your address affects your premium and must match your V5C.
- Home and contents insurance: cover the new address from the day you are responsible for it.
- Life insurance.
- Pet insurance.
- Private health or dental insurance.
- Travel insurance, if it is an annual policy.
Health And Family
So you and your family stay registered and reachable for care:
- GP surgery: register with a local practice if you are moving out of your current one's area.
- Dentist and optician.
- Any hospital or clinic you are under for ongoing care, so appointments follow you.
- Children's schools and nurseries, and the local authority if you are changing schools.
- Vet, and update your pet's microchip details, which is a legal requirement for dogs and cats in England.
Work, Subscriptions And Everything Else
The long tail that redirection will otherwise have to catch:
- Employer (HR and payroll), and your pension scheme.
- Subscriptions and deliveries: streaming, magazines, meal kits, regular online orders.
- Online retailers you order from often, such as Amazon, so parcels do not go to the old address.
- Loyalty and membership schemes, gyms, clubs and professional bodies.
- Charities you donate to, and your will or solicitor if your address is recorded.
- Friends and family, with your new address once you are settled.
Set Up Royal Mail Redirection As A Safety Net
No matter how thorough your list, something always slips through, an annual renewal, a dormant account, a one-off letter. Royal Mail redirection forwards post from your old address to your new one, so it acts as a backstop during the transition.
Our Redirection service ensures that your mail moves with you.
A few practical points:
- Cost: redirection costs £45 for one person for three months, £66.50 for six and £95 for twelve, with reduced concession pricing for those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Prices are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure when you apply.
- Per person: each adult needs their own redirection, so two adults pay more than one.
- Apply early: set it up at least five working days before you move; you can apply as early as six months ahead.
- It is a safety net, not a fix: redirection does not update your address with the sender, so you still need to notify organisations directly.
- It does not cover every courier: parcels sent by non-Royal Mail couriers such as DPD, Evri, DHL or Amazon Logistics are not redirected.
Many people choose twelve months, partly because Action Fraud recommends a longer redirection to reduce the risk of identity theft from post arriving at your old address.
Local Pro Tip: Tell the New Occupants You May Get Stray Post
Even with redirection set up, the odd letter can reach your old address in the first few days, or once the service expires. If you are on friendly terms with the new occupants, let them know they may receive the occasional piece of your post and ask them to set it aside or pop it back in the post.
It is a small courtesy that prevents your bank statements and renewals sitting in a stranger's hallway, and it is worth doing the same in reverse, holding any mail for the previous occupants of your new home and returning it.
When To Tell Everyone
A rough timeline keeps it manageable:
- 2 to 4 weeks before: councils, DVLA, banks, insurers, utilities, broadband activation, and book your Royal Mail redirection.
- The week of the move: confirm utility switch dates, finalise broadband, and prepare meter-reading reminders.
- Moving Day: take meter readings and photos at both properties, and check redirection is active.
- The first 2 weeks after: GP, dentist, schools, vet, subscriptions, employer if not already done, and anything redirection catches.
For a calmer move overall, our guide on how to avoid a stressful house move pairs well with this checklist, and if you are buying, our guide to what happens on completion day explains how the key release shapes moving day.
How ESV Helps While You Tick Off Your Checklist
Notifying everyone is your job, but the physical move does not have to be. While you work through your address changes, we handle the packing, lifting and transport, so the two halves of moving, the admin and the muscle, are not both landing on you at once. We cover house moves across Brighton and Sussex, completion day moves, packing and storage between house moves if your dates do not quite line up.
Ready To Plan A Calm Move In Brighton Or Sussex
If you want the moving-day side handled while you sort the paperwork, we are happy to help. You will deal directly with Peter from the first message to the final box, with careful handling, clear prices and Goods in Transit cover of up to £40,000.
To get started, send us your dates for removals in Brighton and Hove or anywhere in Sussex, and we will confirm crew size, access and timing. Call 07552 555 820, request a quote online or message us on WhatsApp about your move, and for real local moves and tips, see our recent Brighton move days on Instagram. We also follow our eco pledge, reusing and recycling boxes with a take back option and running paperless quotes and bookings.
Key Change-Of-Address Terms
Change Of Address
The process of updating your new home address with every organisation that holds it, from government bodies to subscriptions, so post and records follow you.
Council Tax
The local tax on residential property. You must tell both your old and new councils when you move so your account is closed and reopened correctly.
Electoral Roll
The register of voters at each address. You must re-register when you move, and being listed also helps when you apply for credit.
V5C Log Book
The vehicle registration document showing the registered keeper's address. It is a separate DVLA record from your driving licence and must be updated separately.
Royal Mail Redirection
A paid Royal Mail service that forwards post from your old address to your new one for 3, 6 or 12 months, acting as a safety net during the move.
Meter Reading
The recorded figure on your gas, electricity or water meter. Taking readings at both homes on moving day prevents billing disputes.
Direct Debit
An automatic payment from your account, such as council tax or vehicle tax. Some, like DVLA vehicle tax, need updating when you move.
Concession Redirection
Reduced-price Royal Mail redirection for people receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Registered Keeper
The person responsible for a vehicle on DVLA records, including keeping its address up to date, which may differ from the legal owner.
Microchip Details
The contact and address information linked to a pet's microchip. Keeping it current is a legal requirement for dogs and cats in England.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who To Notify When You Move House
Who do I legally have to notify when I move house?
Your local council, the DVLA and HMRC are the notifications with real legal weight when you move house.
Your council handles council tax and the electoral roll, and you must register to vote again at your new address. The DVLA needs both your driving licence and your V5C log book updated, and failing to tell them can mean a fine of up to £1,000. HMRC needs your new address so tax, National Insurance and any credits reach you.
If you receive benefits such as State Pension, Universal Credit or Child Benefit, update the DWP too, along with your TV Licence. These sit at the top of the list because missing them has financial consequences that turn up quickly, often as a letter at your old front door.
Is it free to change my address with the DVLA?
Changing your address with the DVLA is free for both your driving licence and your V5C vehicle log book through the official GOV.UK service.
They are two separate records, so updating one does not update the other. Both can carry a fine of up to £1,000 if they are not kept current, so it is worth doing them together on the same day.
You can keep driving while you wait for your new photocard licence to arrive. If you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit or hold personalised plate documents such as a V750 or V778, update those with the DVLA as well. Your car insurance should match the address on your V5C, so tell your insurer at the same time.
Do I need to tell the DVLA if I move away temporarily, like for university?
If your move is temporary and the DVLA can still reach you at your permanent address, you do not need to update your licence or V5C.
This often applies to students moving away for university, or anyone on a short work placement who still treats their family home as their main address. Post sent to that permanent address will still reach you, or someone who can pass it on.
If the move is permanent, both your licence and your V5C should be updated. If you are unsure which applies, the safest option is to update your records, because the change is free and can be done online.
Do I need to tell both my old and new council?
Yes, tell both councils: your old one so it closes your council tax account, and your new one so billing starts correctly from the day you move in.
Your old council will close the account and refund any overpayment, while your new council sets up your account at the correct address from day one. Do this as soon as your moving date is confirmed rather than afterwards.
If you are moving within Brighton and Hove, both sides are handled by Brighton & Hove City Council, which keeps it simpler. If you are moving between areas, you will deal with two separate authorities. It is also worth checking bin and recycling collection days at the new address, and applying early for a resident parking permit if your new street needs one.
How much does Royal Mail redirection cost, and how long should I redirect for?
Royal Mail redirection starts from around £45 for one person for three months and rises to roughly £95 for twelve months.
Reduced concession pricing is available if you receive Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Each adult needs their own redirection, so two adults pay more than one. Prices are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure when you apply.
Set it up at least five working days before you move; you can apply up to six months ahead. Many people choose twelve months, because it catches annual renewals and occasional letters, and because Action Fraud recommends a longer redirection to reduce the risk of identity theft from post arriving at your old address.
Does Royal Mail redirection update my address for me?
No, Royal Mail redirection only forwards your post and does not tell the sender your new address.
You still need to notify each organisation directly. Otherwise letters keep going to your old address and stop reaching you the day the redirection ends. Treat it as a safety net for what you forget, not a replacement for updating your address at the source.
Redirection also does not cover parcels from couriers other than Royal Mail, such as DPD, Evri, DHL or Amazon Logistics, so update your address with the retailers you order from regularly before you move. If you are on good terms with the new occupants, it is worth asking them to set aside any stray post that slips through.
What should I do about utilities on moving day?
On moving day, take and photograph gas, electricity and water meter readings at both your old and new homes, then send them to your suppliers.
Timestamped photos give you clear evidence of exactly where each meter stood when you left and when you arrived. That is the simplest way to avoid a billing dispute later. It takes a few minutes at each property, and we work around it as we load and unload.
Tell your energy and water suppliers your move date in advance, and book broadband activation at the new home early, because it often takes longer than people expect. If you are a tenant, take dated photos of the property’s condition at the same time to protect your deposit.
Do I need to update my address for my passport?
Your passport does not need updating when you move, because your home address is not printed in it.
The document stays valid exactly as it is. You only need to give your new address where it is held on file, for example when you next apply for a renewal or a new passport, so the replacement is sent to the right place.
That makes the passport one of the few documents you can leave off the urgent part of your checklist, so you can put that time into the notifications that carry penalties if they are missed.
What about my pet when I move house?
Update your pet’s microchip details with your new address, which is a legal requirement for dogs and cats in England, and register with a local vet.
Microchip records are what reunite a lost pet with its owner, and an unfamiliar home is exactly where a nervous animal can slip out of an open door. Updating the record before moving day means the right address is on file from the start.
If your pet is insured, update the policy too so cover stays valid at the new address. If you are moving out of your current vet’s area, register with a practice near your new home before you need one, so repeat prescriptions and routine care carry on without a gap.
Who do people most often forget to notify when they move?
The notifications people most often forget are pension providers, the electoral roll, NS&I Premium Bonds and savings, annual insurance policies, employer payroll, pet microchip details and online retailers.
These tend to slip because they only get in touch once a year or when something changes, so there is no regular letter to remind you. A policy document or statement can then land at your old address months after you have gone.
Your redirection will catch some of these, but only while it runs, so update each one directly. Work through the money and finance part of your checklist carefully, and keep a note of anything redirection catches so you can update it straight away.
When should I book my removal compared with my change of address checklist?
Book your removal when you start your change of address list, ideally two to four weeks before moving day, so your date is fixed before you tell everyone else.
Your council, utilities, broadband activation and Royal Mail redirection all depend on a confirmed move date. Locking in your crew first means every other notification can go out with confidence.
If you are moving on completion day, we plan around the key release rather than a fixed start time, with the crew ready to begin as soon as you have the go ahead. That way the physical move is settled early, and the final week is free for finishing the admin.
How do you plan parking and access at my new Brighton address?
We plan access from a frontage photo of each property and agree the closest legal stopping point for the van before moving day.
A quick photo of the front of both homes shows us steps, pavement width, the walk to the door and where a van can realistically stop. That lets us set crew size and timing properly rather than finding out on the morning.
Many Brighton and Hove streets sit in permit controlled zones, especially around the seafront and centre. If there is no legal space nearby, a bay suspension through Brighton & Hove City Council typically needs about seven working days’ notice, so it belongs on the early part of your checklist. Your resident parking permit and a moving day bay suspension are separate things, so plan for both.
Do I need to tell my building manager or landlord about moving day in a Brighton flat?
Yes, if you are moving into or out of a flat, tell your managing agent, landlord or concierge your moving date at the same time as your other change of address notifications.
Many managed blocks and seafront buildings have rules on moving hours, lift bookings, protective coverings and where a van can wait. Some need a lift slot reserved in advance, and some ask for a removals company’s insurance details before the day.
If your building has a lift booking, send us the time slot and we plan loading around it. If there is no lift, tell us the floor and describe the stairwell, especially if it is narrow or turns tightly, so we bring the right crew and dismantle larger pieces where needed.
What happens if my moving out and moving in dates do not line up?
If your dates do not line up, we can move your belongings into storage and deliver them to your new home once you have the keys.
Big Yellow Self Storage Brighton is our main storage partner, and Henfield Storage in Hollingbury suits staged moves. We plan the job in two stages: one day to load and store, then a second day to deliver and unload. Items you will need first are loaded near the front so they come out early.
A gap between homes also affects your change of address list. If you are staying somewhere temporary, point your Royal Mail redirection to wherever you will actually receive post, then update each organisation with your permanent address once you are settled.
Are my belongings insured while ESV moves them?
Yes, ESV carries £40,000 Goods in Transit cover per vehicle and £5 million Public Liability, backed by Admiral Platinum.
Goods in Transit covers your belongings while our crew loads them, drives them and unloads them. Public Liability covers accidental damage to property while we work, such as walls, doorframes and communal areas.
Your own policy still matters. As part of your change of address checklist, update your contents insurance before the move rather than after, so the new address is covered from the day you become responsible for it. When you call your insurer to update your address, ask how your policy treats belongings in transit, so you know how the two layers of cover fit together.
What do you need from me to quote my move quickly?
To quote quickly, we need both postcodes, a room by room inventory or photos, floor levels, parking details and a note of any especially valuable items.
Postcodes set the route and travel time. An inventory, photos or a short video of each room shows the volume, which decides whether a Sprinter, a Luton or both suit the job, and how many crew we need. Floor levels, lifts and stairwells tell us how long carrying will take, and a photo of the front of each property shows us parking and access.
If any single item is valued at £500+, tell us upfront so we can plan the wrapping, loading position and handling around it. Add your preferred date and whether you need packing or storage, and we can come back with a clear price.
Can ESV handle the move while I work through my change of address checklist?
Yes, ESV handles the packing, lifting and transport while you work through the paperwork, and you deal directly with Peter from the first message to the final box.
We cover BN1 to BN3 across Brighton and Hove and move households throughout Sussex across BN, RH, TN and PO postcodes. Peter oversees every job personally, with calm planning before the day and careful handling on it, which is why we are backed by hundreds of five star Google reviews.
To get started, call Peter on 07552 555 820 or request a quote online. For real move days and local tips, follow us on Instagram at @esvremovals.
About The Author...
Peter Hawes is the director of ESV Removals Ltd, a family run Brighton and Sussex removals team known for calm planning, careful handling and clear prices. Peter first worked in removals in 2019, started running his own van in 2022 and incorporated ESV Removals Ltd in 2025. He holds a 2:1 BA (Hons) in English Literature and Digital Media from the University of Brighton. Peter oversees every job from first message to the last box and brings local know how for permit zones, tight stairwells and seafront buildings. ESV is fully insured with £40,000 Goods in Transit per vehicle and £5 million Public Liability, backed by hundreds of five star Google reviews, and was a double winner at the SME Southern Enterprise Awards 2025. The company's eco pledge covers a Euro 6, ULEZ compliant Luton, Esso Ethos+ renewable diesel where available, box reuse and paperless bookings. ESV is signed up to the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign, led by Brighton Chamber, and pays every crew member at least the real Living Wage, because a valued team takes more care on every move. Learn more at www.eastsussexvan.com or follow real move days on Instagram.
