Moving House Admin Checklist: The Paperwork and Change-of-Address List (UK)

Moving home in the UK is as much an admin job as a physical one. Between packing boxes and booking a van, it is easy to forget the paperwork that keeps your bills, records and legal documents in order. This checklist walks you through who to notify of your change of address, how to handle utilities and meter readings, and which documents to keep or hand over to the new owner. Work through it steadily and moving day will feel far calmer.

Who to notify of your change of address

The single biggest task when moving is telling the right organisations where you now live. Miss one and you risk missed bills, lost post or gaps in cover. Work through this list and tick each off as you go:

Your local councils: tell both the council you are leaving and the one you are moving to, so your council tax account is closed and reopened correctly. If you are on the electoral roll, register to vote at your new address at the same time.
HMRC: update your address so tax records, tax credits and any correspondence reach you.
DVLA: update the address on both your driving licence and your vehicle logbook (the V5C). This is a legal requirement and there is normally no charge to change the address.
TV Licensing: update the address on your licence.
Banks and building societies: update every current account, savings account, credit card and loan.
Insurers: home, contents, car, life and pet insurers all need your new address, as your premium and cover can depend on where you live.
GP and dentist: if you are moving out of the area, register with a new practice near your new home.
Employer and pension providers: update your details for payroll, workplace pensions and any personal or private pensions.
Subscriptions and memberships: anything delivered to your door or tied to your address, from magazines to online shopping accounts.
Royal Mail redirection: set up a redirection so any post you have forgotten still reaches you for a period after the move.

Utilities and meter readings

Getting your utilities right protects you from paying for someone else's usage. On or close to moving day, take clear readings and photograph them so you have proof of the figures.

Gas and electricity: take a final reading at your old home and an opening reading at the new one. Tell your energy supplier you are moving so your final bill is accurate.
Water: if you are on a meter, record the reading at both properties and notify your water company.
Broadband and phone: arrange your new connection in advance, as installation can take time to book. Let your current provider know your moving date.
Meter photos: keep dated photos of every meter alongside the readings, in case a bill is later disputed.

Documents to keep and hand over

Some paperwork stays with you, and some belongs with the property. Being organised here makes life easier for you and for the people moving in after you.

Keep safe and take with you: your mortgage or tenancy paperwork, insurance documents, guarantees and warranties for anything you are taking, plus personal records such as passports, birth and marriage certificates and NHS details.

Leave for the new owner or tenant: appliance manuals and warranties for items staying in the home, any building certificates such as boiler servicing, electrical or window guarantees, alarm codes and instructions, spare keys, and a note of the local bin collection day and recycling arrangements. A short handover note covering these details is always appreciated.

Timing: a rough countdown

Spreading the admin over a few weeks stops it all landing at once. Use this as a loose guide and adjust to your own dates.

Who to notify	When
Royal Mail redirection, broadband move, GP and dentist	A few weeks before
Councils, HMRC, DVLA, TV Licensing, banks, insurers, subscriptions	The week before and moving week
Final and opening meter readings, employer and pension updates	Moving day and just after

A few weeks before the move, book your redirection, sort your broadband and register with new local services if you are changing area. In moving week, work through the notification list above and confirm your dates with everyone involved. On moving day itself, take your meter readings, do a final walk round to check nothing is left behind, and hand over the keys and your handover note. Keep every confirmation email and reference number in one place so you can chase anything that goes wrong.

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Frequently asked questions

Who do I need to tell when I change address?

Common contacts include your local councils for council tax and electoral roll, HMRC, the DVLA, your bank, employer, GP and dentist, insurers, pension and utility providers. Notify your energy and water suppliers and take meter readings on moving day. Some updates, such as council tax and DVLA changes, can usually be done online. Working through a checklist helps make sure nothing important is missed during the move.

Do I have to update my driving licence and V5C when I move?

Yes. You are legally required to update the address on your driving licence and on your vehicle log book (V5C) with the DVLA when you move home. Both updates can usually be done online or by post, and there is normally no charge to change the address. Do this promptly, as an out of date address can cause you to miss important vehicle or licence correspondence.

How does Royal Mail redirection work?

Royal Mail offers a paid redirection service that forwards post from your old address to your new one for a chosen period, often starting at three months and extendable. It is sensible to set it up before you move so nothing is lost while you update your address with everyone. Redirection is a safety net, not a replacement for telling banks, councils and other organisations your new address directly.