Redirecting mail to a p.o. box?

wondereyes

Does anyone know if it is possible to redirect mail to a p.o. box? I have a redirection form here but there's nothing about p.o. boxes. Would I put the p.o. box details in the 'new address' section of the form (once I've actually set a box up)? I've looked at the Royal Mail website and tried to phone them but got no-where.

Another problem is the timing: we are due to complete by the end of this month but still have not exchanged contracts -- so can't really book anything until I know the sale will not fall through.

We're moving from Scotland to England and do not have a new place to stay -- we thought we'd go there, book into b & b's and then look for rental properties when we are there in person (and look for a place to buy at a later stage). I've tried to set some accommodation up 'at a distance' but it is full of problems -- not least of which is the fact that I can't commit to anything until I'm sure the sale is rock-solid.

I've one relative here who might allow me to use their address for redirection but that would mean our mail would be stuck in Scotland while we are in England. I take it that p.o. boxes can be set up so that the mail goes to the city we are moving to.

All this moving business is messing with my head...

tbs624

Yes it is possible to redirect mail to a post office box. From the horse's mouth, RM's website:

What if I’m using a PO Box®? We can only redirect your mail from a PO Box® for a maximum of six months, and the Box must remain open during the Redirection period. However, we can redirect your mail to a PO Box® for the maximum two years.

sonastin

I could have sworn when I set mine up last month that the website said PO Boxes could only be used my business customers. But a quick search of their FAQ page brings up:

What if I’m using a PO Box®?
We can only redirect your mail from a PO Box® for a maximum of six months, and the Box must remain open during the Redirection period. However, we can redirect your mail to a PO Box® for the maximum two years.

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?mediaId=50900697&catId=600008#34000348

So I guess they've changed the rules.

theartfullodger

This might be easiest.. (but costs...)

http://www.mbe.co.uk/

clutton_2

could you ask for it to be redirected to Poste Restante c/o the post office in the town you will be moving to and then you have to collect it yourself ?

wondereyes

Thank you for your replies. I'm thinking of trying the p.o. box route -- but think I might run out of time soon -- can't do anything until I have confirmation of sale. Setting up a p.o. box needs 10 days (or less with special delivery). Application needs to be posted and must include evidence such as passport and recent utility bills etc. Scared that these will go missing as need them to rent new property. There are four people (adults) in the house, so I take it I'm meant to send all their proof of identity off too.

Also looking at 'Keepsafe'.

Wondering too if not having a forwarding address will be a problem when I contact utility people and bank, etc to tell them I'm moving. They might think I'm not going to pay the final bill..

sonastin

wondereyes wrote: »

Wondering too if not having a forwarding address will be a problem when I contact utility people and bank, etc to tell them I'm moving. They might think I'm not going to pay the final bill..

Might be best to use the relative's address for those and give the relative a book of stamps and a pile of envelopes to send them on to whichever B&B or doss house you end up in for the short term. Or scan them and e-mail them to you. (somehow "relative" always conjures up images of elderly and computer-illiterate as my elderly (and not so elderly) relatives are!)

martindow

wondereyes wrote: »

Application needs to be posted and must include evidence such as passport and recent utility bills etc. Scared that these will go missing as need them to rent new property. There are four people (adults) in the house, so I take it I'm meant to send all their proof of identity off too. .

I showed the documents at a main PO and they then sent the application away solving the worry of sending passports off. It was about a week before it started up.

This was a few years ago so the system may now be as you describe.

clutton_2

yes you can do mail redirect at the post office in person and it takes about a week to get going...