Change of address when between homes for months or years?

ecosarah

Hi, I have sold my house, and I have a temporary address (friends). However, changing my address has got complicated.

DVLA - they say you don't need to if you are temporarily away eg Uni, but not about being between homes. If I change DVLA, then I will need to change vehicle insurance - and vice versa.

I am currently running 2 temporary vehicles, too, so changing DVLA, and 2 insurance policies could get expensive, plus do they accept C/O addresses? (I'll be sofa surfing and then living in a camper, which one insurance company said will add several 100s to my insurane)

When I come to buy the new house, my driving license, passport etc need to line up with each other for identity checks with the estate agent - and may be solicitor. Also I am mindful that changing address too often can affect credit reference (fortunately I don't need a mortgage).

I have changed my bank address to the C/O address, and gone paperless. It seems simple with my phone, too.

So it is the vehicles' insurance that is tricky and my driving license.

I know some people say not to bother, but then it can be a problem if you have an accident. And I tried temporary insurance previously, and got a letter from DVLA saying that vehicles needs to have a permanent insurance policy.

I wonder if anyone has been between homes with no purchase in sight?

thanks

ciderboy2009

I would be very careful with your vehicle insurance - you are supposed to inform them immediately about an address change as it could affect your premium. Not doing so gives them the opportunity to refuse any claims.

Albermarle

A significant part of a car insurers risk assessment and therefore the premium, is where you live.

So if you are insured at one address and living at another, and then you make a claim, you will have problems.

user1977

Car/licence only need to be at an address where you can be contacted, so not necessarily where you're sleeping.

Insurers will expect you to tell them where you're actually living (so the address of your friend's sofa if that's where you are staying). As you've discovered, that becomes difficult if your abode is a moving one.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664787/change-of-address-when-between-homes-for-months-or-years

Given that you have sold your previous property, you need to change your address for official purposes to something that will actually reach you so you don't risk official contact, for example parking charge notices, going astray.

You can't rely on the new occupiers forwarding any correspondence.

koalakoala

You just gave to give everyone the address you are staying at, temporary or otherwise

My daughter got fined when police asked to see her licence one time, and she hadn’t updated it

They said it was illegal not to do so 🤷‍♀️

ecosarah

Thanks everyone for your comments, experience and wisdom - I appreciate you taking the time.

I am not clear what you are suggesting for someone on the road, who is moving around?

At least one of you has said that the License desn't need to be where you are living. This sounds confusing because:
1. it is used to open bank accounts etc (which I need to do)

2. Why did the police fine someone's daughter when she hadn't updated it?

I think my situation is different to most people's because most people would rent a place until they purchase their new house….I would love to hear any info that is a definite for someone in my situation - or how to find out!

thanks again for your answers.

Tabieth

I appreciate you say you are on the road and moving around. But your car insurance has to have the address where you are currently living. Otherwise you could be in a world of trouble if you make a claim. If you’re staying with friends then given them that address, even if you have to change it every few weeks. If you’re staying in a hotel / Airbnb then I’d call your insurance company and explain the situation. They can decide how to record that.

And other ID, while less time urgent, shouldn’t be left too long. At the very least you’ll need to think about your Mail otherwise you risk crucial correspondence being sent to your old address.