Every Address to Change When Moving Home

**Government and public bodies**

HMRC is the single most important address change.

Log in to your personal tax account at gov.uk and update your address to ensure your tax code and any tax credits remain accurate. The DVLA must also be notified within 28 days of moving under Section 99 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. You can update your driving licence online for free, and you must also update your vehicle log book (V5C) for every vehicle you own.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) needs your new address if you receive Universal Credit, state pension, or any other benefit.

Your local council needs updating for council tax purposes. You must also register to vote at your new address via gov.uk/register-to-vote.

**Financial organisations**

Update your address with every bank and building society you hold an account with.

Credit card providers, loan accounts, mortgage lenders, and savings accounts all need notifying. Your credit reference agency records (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) update automatically once your lenders report the change, but check all three reports after about 30 days to confirm accuracy.

Pension providers, both workplace and personal, need your new address for annual statements and correspondence.

Contact your financial adviser or investment platform directly.

**Healthcare providers**

Register with a new GP as soon as possible.

You can find practices accepting new patients via the NHS website. Inform your dentist, optician, and any specialist you see regularly. If you have prescriptions on a repeat system, update your nominated pharmacy too.

Several address change obligations carry specific legal or financial consequences in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

**DVLA: 28-day legal obligation** Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you must notify the DVLA of your new address within 28 days of moving. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £1,000. This applies to your driving licence and to the registered keeper address on your V5C log book.

**Electoral registration** Voter registration is address-specific in the UK. If you move within the same borough, you may still need to re-register. Moving to a different council area requires a fresh registration. You can check your registration status and update it at gov.uk/register-to-vote. The deadline to register before an election is typically 12 working days before polling day.

**Council tax liability** You become liable for council tax at your new address from the date you move in, not the date your tenancy or purchase completes. Similarly, your liability at the old address ends on your moving date. Contact both councils with your exact moving date to avoid double-billing or missed exemptions.

**Royal Mail redirection** A Royal Mail redirection costs from £36.50 for three months (prices as of 2025). It is available online at royalmail.com. The service forwards post addressed to your old address to your new one, but it does not update the original sender's records. Treat it as a safety net, not a complete solution.

**Credit file address history** UK credit reference agencies maintain a record of all addresses linked to your accounts. Having an accurate and up-to-date address on your credit file is important for identity verification when applying for credit, mortgages, or even some rental agreements.