Moving within or to London can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to keep track of who to notify during a house move. It’s not just about packing boxes; forgetting key updates can cause problems later. Missed bills, service lapses, or even council fines can add stress at the worst time. Many people underestimate the number of organisations and providers that must be informed.
The good news is there’s a simple way to stay ahead of it all. This guide breaks down the primary contacts you’ll need to update when relocating. With a clear checklist, you can avoid hassle and focus on settling into your new home. At Burke & Wills, trusted experts in South London and West London removals, we’ve gathered best practices from years of moving experience to help you plan with confidence.
Contents
- Notify Utility Providers and Submit Meter Readings
- Set Up Mail Redirect and Protect Personal Information
- Update Council Tax, Electoral Roll and Local Records
- Inform Banks, Insurers, and Financial Providers
- Health Services, Schools and Family Essentials
- Broadband, TV, Phone and Employment Records
- Arrange Removal Parking, Moving Services and Storage
Notify Utility Providers and Submit Meter Readings
Utilities are often the first and most important companies to contact before moving. Sorting them out early prevents unexpected bills and service gaps. Please note that you’re fully responsible for all billing at your registered address, regardless of whether you reside there or not. That’s why you must remove yourself from older addresses, as you will have to foot the bill.
Utility Checklist
- Contact your current electricity supplier and provide them with your electricity meter readings.
- Contact your current gas supplier and provide them with your gas meter readings.
- Contact your current water supplier and provide them with your water meter readings.
- Take final meter readings for electricity, gas, and water on your moving day to ensure accurate billing.
- Take photos of all your meter readings in case there’s a dispute later.
- Arrange the final bills for your old address to be sent to your new one – more on that in the next section.
- Confirm the payment method and settlement date in writing. If this is done by phone call, request that the details be confirmed in writing via email.
- Discuss the possibility of transferring your accounts to the new address to reduce your tasks.
- Research alternative suppliers for your new home, including asking the seller who they use for each service.
- Book a start date with the chosen supplier at your new address to ensure that services are running when you arrive.
- Confirm the supply connection aligns with your move-in date.
- Repeat this process for your non-utility services, such as TV, internet, and other services.
Final Considerations when Disconnecting and Connecting Services
Completing this checklist ensures that there is no overlap in bills between properties. It also allows your new home to be ready with running services. We’ll repeat this: you must remove your details from your old house or apartment to prevent receiving bills for services you no longer use.
Set Up Mail Redirect and Protect Personal Information
Redirecting your mail prevents sensitive documents from going astray, but it can seem like an arduous task. However, this isn’t the case, as you can use the Royal Mail’s redirection service to ensure your mail doesn’t continue to arrive at your old home physically. It also buys you time to update all your contacts gradually.
Mail Redirect Checklist
- Apply for the Royal Mail redirection service.
- Choose the correct duration (3, 6 or 12 months).
- Arrange at least five working days before moving.
- Cover mail from all household members.
- Redirect bank statements and credit card letters.
- Redirect HMRC and government correspondence.
- Redirect NHS letters, including hospitals and clinics.
- Redirect utility statements and insurance policies.
- Redirect subscriptions and memberships.
- Redirect pension and investment documents.
- Redirect DVLA notifications for licences and vehicles.
- Use redirection to avoid fraud or identity theft.
- Check Royal Mail confirmation once the service is active.
Protecting Your Personal Information
Mail redirection is a simple safeguard to ensure your personal information doesn’t continue to arrive at old addresses. While we don’t want to alarm people, it’s surprisingly easy to defraud them by obtaining information from their physical mail. Using a redirection service gives you peace of mind during the moving process.
Update Council Tax, Electoral Roll and Local Records
Councils require prompt notification of address changes because it affects their services, including how they bill them. Doing this early avoids penalties or charges for things like council tax, and doing so secures your voting rights.
Council Tax Notifications
Contact your current council with your moving date and details of your new address. Provide meter readings if required, but the main reason for this contact is to request a closing council tax bill. Supply forwarding address for refunds or final payments.
Electoral Roll Updates
Register at your new address through the gov.uk website to ensure registration is completed well in advance of the elections. Use updated details as proof of address if needed, and check that your removal from the old register is confirmed. You’ll receive updates via email, so mark them important or save them in a folder.
Local Records
Inform the local library or community services of your departure. Update parking permits linked to your household, and confirm bin collection details for your new address. Check the new borough’s council tax band and payment schedule.
Inform Banks, Insurers, and Financial Providers
Your banks and other financial institutions require your correct address for security purposes. The last thing you want is this information being outdated. Updating them prevents fraud risks and ensures timely communication, thereby protecting you against fraud and any associated liabilities.
Banking Updates
Contact your bank and building society with your departure date, providing your new address. Update credit card provider, mortgage lender details, and financial advisor. Double-check that your new address and contact details appear on your statements; you’ll also need this information for future identity verification.
Insurance Providers
This step is crucial, especially when arranging your relocation. Update your home insurance with the new property details, and confirm that your current insurance policy is up to date. You’ll likely need to adjust your policy to include the removal. Update car insurance with new address and parking situation. Inform health and life insurance providers and confirm that coverage remains valid during the move.
Other Financial Contacts
Notify investment firms and pension providers, including PayPal, Stripe or other payment platforms. Update store cards or loyalty accounts linked to your address, and keep confirmation emails or letters for your records.
Health Services, Schools and Family Essentials
Health and education providers are next on the list, so be sure to review your emails and correspondence to identify who to contact. Updating them ensures records follow you smoothly and reduces any issues with school places or medical treatment.
Health Services
You’ll need to deregister from all your current healthcare providers and professionals, then register with new ones. For example, find GP and dentist surgeries in your new area and sign up. Then you can ask your current (soon-to-be former) GP to transfer medical records. Also, remember to update the NHS online services you use with new details.
Family Essentials
Inform health visitors and social workers of your departure (if applicable). Update your details with the local pharmacy in your new location, including details of nearby hospitals and emergency services. Notify the optician or specialist healthcare providers you currently use, as well as find replacements where possible.
Schools and Childcare
Contact the school admissions at your new council to begin finding school places. Notify your child’s current school of the moving date and arrange for the transfer of pupil records. Inform nurseries or childcare providers by repeating this process. Please note that school placements are more challenging than in previous years; therefore, it is advisable to initiate this process as soon as possible.
Broadband, TV, Phone and Employment Records
While you’re unlikely to forget about setting up your internet (although you might if you haven’t read this blog), many people completely forget about some of the points in this section. One of the key offenders: telling your work about your new address. Updating them prevents disruption to work and home life and keeps you on the right side of HR.
Broadband, TV and Phone
We bundle these services together because many of us work with a single provider for all of them. Before you book a disconnection date (for your current address), ask if it’s possible to transfer your account(s) to the new homestead.
Arrange for installation at the new property, preferably with the same provider if you’re satisfied with them, to avoid the need to return routers or TV boxes. It’s worth checking coverage and packages from other companies and whether there’s fibre internet coverage in your new area.
Employment and Work
Don’t be a doughnut: Notify HR or payroll with your updated information. Although it may seem less of a priority, you’ll need your new address for payslips and tax codes. Inform professional bodies or trade unions if you’re affiliated, and update the address for workplace pensions. Remember that many of us use these documents for proof of identity/address, so it’s no use having old information stated on them.
Other Services
Finally, review the invoices and bills from the last twelve months to see what additional non-utility services you’re signed up for. Update online shopping accounts, TV licence records, notify clubs or gyms, and adjust newspaper or magazine subscriptions.
Arrange Removal Parking, Moving Services and Storage
Your moving day logistics will be much smoother with thorough planning. While this is something we always take care of, it’s worth noting that parking permits and removals should be arranged well in advance.
Removal Parking
Apply for a parking suspension in your borough, and be aware that each area could fall under a different council. Check local rules for South and West London or wherever you’re moving to, and apply to the correct local authority. You can avoid fines by booking permits in advance. Confirm that the timings align with your removal company’s schedule, or delegate everything to them.
Moving Services
Choosing the best removal company is worth some extra research. They should offer a home removal and man and van service as standard, and the better ones (like us) will happily adapt their core package.
Industry accreditation is crucial: only book with an industry-accredited removal firm, and check their Google reviews, filtering providers with an overall rating of under 4.5. Book house removals in South London specialists early and request a tailored quote based on your inventory.
Storage Solutions
Many Londoners utilise short-term storage to avoid delays and pack non-essential items earlier for added convenience. Utilise storage for seasonal or bulky items, and select a secure and conveniently accessible facility. Ask your removal firm if they offer storage packages because it’s easier to use one company instead of two.
Burke & Wills – Expert Support for Stress-Free Moves
Thanks for reading — we hope this guide has made notifying contacts during your move feel clearer and easier. A bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to avoiding missed bills, fines, or disruptions to essential services. Keeping a checklist helps make the process more organised and less stressful. Burke & Wills are here to help, offering trusted removal services in South London and West London to make your move run smoothly.
As one of London’s most established removal companies, Burke & Wills are known for reliable, customer-focused service. We hold full accreditation with the British Association of Removers (BAR), providing you with added peace of mind. Our clear quality policy and consistently high Google reviews reflect our commitment to care and professionalism. Whether it’s removals, storage, or guidance along the way, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Click here to arrange your free, no-obligation assessment and receive a tailored quote. We’ll make sure your move is handled with the same care and expertise that sets us apart. Don’t forget to explore our blog and FAQ pages for more moving tips, storage advice, and industry insights. With Burke & Wills, you’ll always have expert support for a smooth, stress-free move.