When to change address details?

rosie383

We have exchanged and are due to complete on 1st September. Sitting today with a big list of people to inform and working through it.
Some, e.g. library are easy. Others like DVLA have me stumped. When I try to change the address it asks me for my new address, then for my current address. Then it tells me that I haven't changed any details as my address is the same.

So for those of you who have recently moved, who can I tell BEFORE we move, and who AFTER?

Any help welcome.
Even links to checklists as there are many around but some aren't detailed enough.

thesaint

You shouldn't tell anyone until you have moved/completed the sale.

rosie383

Really? Surely between exchange and completion is the time to do lots of these things.

Stevie_Palimo

All I did was wait until I moved then paid the royal mail for post to be redirected and gradually switched everything over to my new address.

mrstick

The problem is that if you don't actually complete for some reason, you will then be in the position where you need to change your address again but you won't be in a position to receive any confirmations at your 'current' address.

Mocha61

Can i just say, make sure the vendors have advised their service providers they have moved. My daughter has recently moved and the vendor hadnt told any of them, they have received final demands from gas, electric and water and even threat of bailiffs if bills not paid. Not very nice to receive.

Hoploz

Congratulations Rosie! I've been wondering how you were getting on.

Best leave everything this week. Just do what you need to in advance, eg royal mail post redirection, cancel milk deliveries etc. but do the rest when you move in, as they all seem to expect you to have already moved when you inform them!

Definitely get a post redirection, even though it's quite expensive, as there are always millions of forgotten people who still use your old address. And you don't want to miss any Christmas cards! We got 6 months but ended up still extending it to the full year when it was finishing.

Hoploz

Utility companies you must speak to on the day with your meter readings anyway, so there's no point telling them in advance. You will need to give both new and old house readings, so you really have to do it after you move

You won't be bothered by the seller's bills if you just get their forwarding address and post everything on. Hopefully they will get their own redirection too.

rosie383

Thanks all, especially Hoploz.
So I should just go and pack stuff then? I will do the Royal Mail redirection then leave the rest until we move. Thankfully the vendors seem like extremely organised people so that has got to help. And we are only five mins drive from the new place which helps also. Hopefully our buyer will be happy to pass anything on that may get missed out along the way.

anna42hmr

If you want to get a head start on things you could always do what I did, went online to each company I dealt with, (bank accounts, credit cards, savings accounts, DVla, pet insurance, doctor, vets, etc found out who needed it done by what method (snail mail, phone, online form etc) .

I then got a directory together, so all the ones that wanted it done via snail mail, did the letter or form ready to post once ready to change (I.e.after completion) then those that had online forms book marked them on my laptop so could just go to the link, and those over phone listed who, Tel numbers and got the account/policy number listed as well. That way had all ready to go.

westv

Royal Mail redirection sometimes fails.