Moving house? Don't forget to update your address ...

With so many things to organise and remember before and after you move house, keeping track of what is needed can be hard. Making a list can help. Here's our change of address checklist. And a few other tips when moving home ...

• Government organisations checklist
• Financial services checklist
• Insurance providers checklist
• Utility providers checklist
• Personal checklist
• Does a change of address change your credit score?
• Consider redirecting your post

Government organisations checklist

• The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority)
  Ensure your driving licence and vehicle registration address are updated with the DVLA; this is a requirement.
  
  
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  You must inform HMRC of your new address for national insurance, income tax, state pensions, tax credits and child benefits. It also ensures documentation is sent to the right place. The same applies if you run a business or pay taxes through self-assessment.
  
  
• Local authorities
  When leaving your current address, contact your local authority to get your final council tax statement and check if you're entitled to a refund. And contact the local authority when you have moved into your new home.

You may need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you receive welfare assistance, child maintenance, or a State Pension. Failing to let relevant government bodies know of a change of address can, in some cases, can result in a penalty or fine. 

Additionally, updating your address on the electoral roll is a good idea. But, more on that later.

Did you know? You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA your name or address has changed.

Financial services checklist

• Banking providers (including joint accounts, savings accounts, prepaid cards and e-money accounts)
• Your credit card providers 
• Loan providers (including personal loans)
• Car financing (including hire purchase, car loans or leases)
• Investment funds and shares
• Pension schemes or providers 
• Loyalty and points card providers
• Student loan and tuition fees providers

Informing bank and credit card providers as soon as you have your new address, it's one way to protect your finances. Financial institutions will often use your address as a security question. And if you've lost your bank card or need a card replaced, your provider will send it to the address they have on their records. Updating your address means documents such as statements are posted to you (although you can also request to receive these electronically).  

You can most likely update your address using your banking app or online. If you use a banking app, keeping your mobile safe is equally important, with mobile phone fraud rising. Fraudsters can, for example, use stolen phones to access banking apps to try to change your address and request replacement cards.

TIP: While updating your address, you may want to review your existing Direct Debits and other regular monthly payments to see if any need to be cancelled due to your move.

Insurance providers checklist

• House insurance (such as building and content)
• Car insurance (including any breakdown cover you may have)
• Life, health, dental and other personal insurance plans
• Travel Insurance
• Mobile and similar gadget insurance
• Pet insurance

You may have other insurance providers that you need to contact. It could be helpful to look at your Direct Debits and regular card payments to double check you don't miss any. 

Not informing insurance providers of changes, such as your address, may mean you're not covered, or your policy is invalid - even if you have been paying your policy. In some cases, such as house-related insurance and car insurance, a change of address will result in a premium change due to the area you move to be classified as a different risk. 

TIP: Take moving home as an opportunity to review your bills, research cheaper deals, and switch providers, such as home insurance plans and utility suppliers.

Utility providers checklist

• Water 
• Gas 
• Electricity
• Landline and broadband
• TV license and digital TV

You should contact all your utility suppliers and inform them of the move and the new address - especially important so you can receive your final bills and refunds (if applicable). On the last day you move out, take readings of your water, gas and electricity metre and give these to your suppliers.

As soon as you're at your new address, note metre readings. If you have not transferred over your existing tariff, you will be given a 'deemed' contract, which will stay in place until you switch. 

When arranging new suppliers, it's worth reviewing how you pay your bills - our guide "How to understand and pay your electricity bill" may be helpful. For example, some suppliers offer a discounted rate to customers who pay by Direct Debit. If you are not paying by Direct Debit already, it may be worth asking your supplier about this option.

Did you know? Some credit card providers consider paying utility bills as a credit card cash advance, which will likely result in higher interest fees. 

Personal checklist

• Employer
• Family and friends
• Doctors, opticians and dentist 
• Vet and microchip database 
• Clubs (including memberships and gym)
• Subscriptions (for example, Netflix, TV and newsagents)

If you're an online shopper (for example, Amazon, Deliveroo and Ebay), don't forget to update your billing and delivery address so your purchases don't get lost.

Does a change of address change my credit score?

Changes to your address should not significantly impact your score, even if you have moved regularly. However, "incomplete" or "missing" information in your credit report will hurt your score. 

When you move, your credit report may not reflect your new address automatically. This is because credit reporting agencies rely on information from sources like the electoral roll.

That's why it’s important to:

• Register on the electoral roll with your new address.
• Update lenders and other financial services you use about the changes.
• Correct any missing or inaccurate information on your credit report.

What can be affected by frequent changes to your address is your ability to borrow. Lenders look for stability, this can be a problem if you've changed your address often and quickly. Lenders may think something is wrong. 

Lenders will also want your permanent address before you can be accepted for credit, such as a personal loan. It allows lenders to quickly and easily prove you're who you say you are. 

If this information is missing or irregular it's likely to raise concerns. So again, the sooner your details are updated and corrected the better. To see your credit score, sign up to a credit report service, some may charge a monthly fee, while other are free.

TIP: If you've recently moved, don't wait for election time to register. Get signed up on the electoral roll  to ensure your credit report is accurate and up to date.

Consider redirecting your post

Failing to pay a bill (for example, a mobile bill) may impact your credit score. So setting up a mail forwarding service or postal redirect may be sensible for your new address. Redirecting services can be set up online through Royal Mail, and prices currently start at £36 for 3 months for one individual. You can redirect your mail for 3, 6 or 12 months. 

Postal redirects are useful if you've forgotten to inform someone or an organisation of a change of address. Plus, mail containing important bills, personal information and other documents is less likely to get lost or fall into the wrong hands. When you get redirected mail, inform the person or organisation of your new address.

In summary

Planning ahead and using checklists as a reminder can help reduce the stress of moving home. Don't forget to update your address with:

• Governmental organisations
• Financial services providers
• Insurance companies
• Utility suppliers
• Friends and families

Setting up a postal redirect from your old home to your new address may be sensible, just in case you have forgotten someone. And finally, be sure to get registered on the voter roll to ensure your credit report details are up to date.

Did you like this guide? Please share it with others.