Naming of a house

minimoto

We have just purchased a property, on the estate agents listings it was listed as having the name 'the Barn' 3 XXXX road.

The house has a sign with the name on, and all documentation during the conveyancing process referred to 'the barn', even the survey and mortgage documents.

Now we have moved in and are changing everything over no where reconises the name all online forms/call centres etc just pick up the 3 XXXX road.

Now, were not snobs, but the name did add to the charm of the property and we bought believing this was the case. Our solicitor said its the companies responsibility to update there systems with the name... but everywhere i spoke to said this isnt the case?

Can we add the name and if so how? i've looked online but seen differing answers whether its the council or royal mail that would update.

Suzy_M

You need to check with your council on local policy but as the house has a numbered street address that is the officially recognised address. In this case the house name is just an optional extra.

The house name would only form part of the official address if the house had never had a number.

Gloomendoom

We had this problem. All conveyancing and legal documentation for the house going back 100's of years just refers to the house by its name.

It was only after moving in that I realised that the house had a number as well. As said above, if he house has been given a number, then that is the official address. The name is an optional extra.

We are on most of the various online databases as the number only. However, I do get the occasional surprise when the house name pops up in a list too.

Apparently, you are legally obliged to display the house number on the house.

custardy

minimoto wrote: »

We have just purchased a property, on the estate agents listings it was listed as having the name 'the Barn' 3 XXXX road.

The house has a sign with the name on, and all documentation during the conveyancing process referred to 'the barn', even the survey and mortgage documents.

Now we have moved in and are changing everything over no where reconises the name all online forms/call centres etc just pick up the 3 XXXX road.

Now, were not snobs, but the name did add to the charm of the property and we bought believing this was the case. Our solicitor said its the companies responsibility to update there systems with the name... but everywhere i spoke to said this isnt the case?

Can we add the name and if so how? i've looked online but seen differing answers whether its the council or royal mail that would update.

what does your council tax documentation state?

G_M

My house is exactly the same.

All these companies (banks, insurance etc) use the Royal Mail address database when searching for property address details.

I believe getting the RM database changed involves (as suggested above) getting the council to add the name to the official address. It's not that easy, so

I've never bothered. When asked for my address over the phone by a company, or making an online purchase for example, I just omit the name. They then find the address. Sometimes you get the option to 'add' the name to the address they've identified.

But stubbornly quoting the name in your address to these companies just causes grief as they cannot locate it on the RM database, so tell you your house does not exist!

As for RM themselves, they have no difficulty delivering mail to :
- house name
- number, street
- town
- postcode

and the local postie's are fine however the letter is addressed.

Strapped

At least your kids will be able to say yes when you ask, "Were you born in a barn" on leaving the door open

Gloomendoom

My bank and credit card companies just use the house name as I was unaware of the number when I did all the changes of address.

The TV licence caused a bit of a problem as that was also bought in the house name. Two years after moving in I got a series of letters addressed to the house number telling me that there was no TV licence recorded for that address. I wrote a couple of letters of explanation, which apparently were ignored, as the cycle of threats and accusations carried on for several more years before they gave up.

SailorSam

It's a pain in the bum when people only have names on their houses.
I drove a Cab on nights and going on a radio call late at night searching for 'Field Ends' or Sea View' is a nightmare.

G_M

SailorSam wrote: »

It's a pain in the bum when people only have names on their houses.
I drove a Cab on nights and going on a radio call late at night searching for 'Field Ends' or Sea View' is a nightmare.

Must admit I like having a name for my house, but admit I get frustrated/angry driving along a road searching for somewhere if there are no numbers.

So my house sign shows both!

minimoto

Thanks everyone.

I'll see what the council say, somethings i have updated have the name on and post has been delivered fine, it just seems the companies that use the automated systems which seem to not acknowlage it.

Just looked at the deeds and it doesnt have a number, just the name. The previous occupiers bought in 1949 so im guessing the numbering came into force during there occupation?

scaredlady

SailorSam wrote: »

It's a pain in the bum when people only have names on their houses.
I drove a Cab on nights and going on a radio call late at night searching for 'Field Ends' or Sea View' is a nightmare.

Oh dear me. I live on a 2 mile long road, in the country, no numbers at all, just house names (that is how it has always been) and to add to it no street lights.
Was loads of fun when we started grocery shopping on line, and the delivery was in the dark.