Mail forwarding and mailboxes - handling mail during an extended move

randompenitent

Some background: After a long-winded sale process, it looks as if we are close to exchanging contracts. Unfortunately, our matching purchase transaction has fallen through.  We don't want to lose our buyer so we're planning to put our stuff into store, go travelling for a bit, and then rent if needed while we wait for a backup transaction to happen.  I'm guessing our travels will three months or so, at least to begin with.

I'm curious about how to handle mail.  We could have mail forwarding, but to where? We're going to be moving about a bit. Royal Mail also offers a service called "Keepsafe" which stores mail for a period and then delivers it when you return - but delivery appears to be to the original address, which isn't what we want. Then there are various commercial mailbox services.

Is there anyone else who has gone through a similar process able to offer suggestions or advice?

silvercar

There are places that will receive main for you, some will also scan documents and email them on to you.

BonaDea

Poste restante - you arrange with Royal Mail to deliver your post to a specific (usually a main) Post Office near you.

eddddy

Don't you have family or friends who you can redirect the post to - and they look after it until you return?

Maybe you even want them to open the letters.

FWIW, a neighbour of mine did something similar to you - but they forgot to pay one bill. So while they were away, letters from debt collectors with threats of court action started arriving. Had somebody not opened their letters and alerted them, legal action could have started in their absence.


I also know a Landlord who was away for an extended period, but was worried about urgent problems arising while he was away. So he arranged for mail redirection to a family member who opened, scanned and emailed any letters that arrived.

There are also agencies who will open, scan and email letters redirected to them - for a price.

randompenitent

Thanks.  Last suggestion - find a friend - looks like the best one, provided there's someone you can trust. Apart from anything else, there are fewer moving parts and less cost involved, though perhaps some beer might be needed to seal the deal.