House Names

caspar9

I have recently viewed a property that is perfect for my needs. However, it has an awful flowery sounding name and not a street number.

How easy is it to change the name of a property? Do you have to fill out a form at the Land Registry or can you just stick a sign out saying new house name formerly known as old house name for a bit until it gets picked up?

pimento

Our house had a name when we bought it. Luckily, the vendor took his name with him and put it on the outside of his new house. I just stopped using it and went back to plain old 23 Acacia Avenue.

hazyjo

pimento wrote: »

Our house had a name when we bought it. Luckily, the vendor took his name with him and put it on the outside of his new house. I just stopped using it and went back to plain old 23 Acacia Avenue.

This one seems to be without a number though. Lots use a name and a number (often not an actual registered name), but others are literally just named.


It's usually changed via the council so speak to the local one to see what their policy is.

Margot123

caspar9 wrote: »

I have recently viewed a property that is perfect for my needs. However, it has an awful flowery sounding name and not a street number.

How easy is it to change the name of a property? Do you have to fill out a form at the Land Registry or can you just stick a sign out saying new house name formerly known as old house name for a bit until it gets picked up?

I think it's a local council and Royal Mail issue.

They have to check there aren't any problems such as offensive names, or identical house names with similar postcodes etc.

caspar9

Margot123 wrote: »

I think it's a local council and Royal Mail issue.

They have to check there aren't any problems such as offensive names, or identical house names with similar postcodes etc.

That is really helpful - thank you

davidmcn

Also, no need to change at Land Registry. Can if you want though.

Tiglet2

I think you will have to write to the highways department of your local council, including an alternative name suggestion in case there's already a house locally with your first choice name.

I believe the highways department will tell Royal Mail of an approved name change but it is also worth contacting Royal Mail to make sure your details are updated.

You will need to register the change with Land Registry, your local Council Tax Department, the Electoral Roll, BT, utility providers, mortgage lender, doctor and everyone who writes to you.

The emergency services are often delayed by the lack of visible house numbers and names so maybe write to the local ambulance and fire services and make sure your house signs can be clearly read from the road. It might be worth showing both names for some months, eg "Sea View" (formerly known as "Dunroamin").

Plus, to confuse matters, think of all those mailing lists and databases; it could take years for them all to be updated with the new name.

It can all be worth it for the contentment of having an address that pleases you, of course!

TonyMMM

In my area almost all the houses have names, no numbers. We bought one with a name we didn't really like and intended to change it once we moved in.

That was 21 years ago - never quite got round to it and eventually you just get used to it.

CIS

Interestingly there is also actually a legal requirement for house numbers to be displayed and kept updated & visible - it makes no allowable provision for those who only display house names. It's also an offence to change to a different number from that issued - but it is up to the 'commissioners' to deal with it (I would guess that's now the local council planning depts remit)
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/10-11/34/section/64
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/10-11/34/section/65

Not sure when the last time anyone was actually fined for it though (level 1 fine - up to £200).

ceh209

CIS wrote: »

Interestingly there is also actually a legal requirement for house numbers to be displayed and kept updated & visible - it makes no allowable provision for those who only display house names.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/10-11/34/section/64
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/10-11/34/section/65

Not sure when the last time anyone was actually fined for it though (level 1 fine - up to £200).

Seriously?! Do you think I can sue the builders we bought our house from for not providing a number :rotfl:

moneyistooshorttomention

Margot123 wrote: »

I think it's a local council and Royal Mail issue.

They have to check there aren't any problems such as offensive names, or identical house names with similar postcodes etc.

That is the basics of it.

Worth your while to check for yourself whether any other house has the same name as the one you've decided on in that street/postcode. If your chosen house name is "available" (because there isn't a nearby duplicate) and it's not offensive - then just tell your local Council (don't ASK them - they aren't entitled to "withhold permission" - though there are a few that would like to - but they can't).

The only issue might be if yours is a West Wales County Council - they might send you a letter trying to persuade you to change your mind (ie if the name is a Welsh one). It's not their decision - it's yours - and ignore it if that's the case.

Look up the County Council website and see what your particular Council has to say re charges. There may - or may not be a charge - for it. If so - it should be very modest.

Tell the Post Office the name has been changed.

Tell everyone else the name has been changed.