Moving houses can be one of the most stressful events in your life, affecting everything from your credit record to your taxes and administration. You’ll need to notify the Postal Service, The IRS, and similar public offices. Your utilities will need to be arranged at your new home, and your credit card companies will need to know where to send your statements. A change of address checklist can seem daunting at first glance, but if you check off all the relevant tasks, you’ll avoid the chaos of unpaid accounts and lost mail. Thanks to the internet, many of your notifications can be handled from your household computer, so don’t let the process intimidate you.
1) The Post Office
Your mail can be redirected for a small fee for up to a year after you move. This will help you to evade identity theft and other forms of fraud. You’ll need the address and postcode of both of your addresses along with the names and birthdays of your family members. This can be done through the An Post online redirection service.
2) Financial Institutions
a) Most credit card companies offer online services with adjustable contact information. Alternatively, contact your financial institution and change your billing address with the help of a customer services specialist.
b) Your banking details might be a little more complex to change because you might be required to visit a brick and mortar branch.
c) It’s important to keep your credit records up to date in case of fraudulence. Your address is an integral part of your identity, protecting your data and making it possible for you to obtain new lines of credit. Each credit score company requires a different form of notification, but generally, re-registering for the electoral roll and updating your credit card details will automatically update your credit report.
d) Don’t forget to update your insurance policies, pension, hire purchase providers, and loyalty cards.
3) Utility Checklist
Your address will need to be passed on to the businesses that handle your:
- Water
- Electricity
- Landline and mobile
- Cable and satellite service providers
- TV license
- Internet provider
Your energy provider will need to know about your move at least two days before your moving date. Your account will be closed, which could entail a termination fee. On the day you move, check your meter readings to ensure you’re only charged for your own usage. You might inherit a deemed contract at your new home, but you needn’t stay with the same supplier. Comparison shopping may secure you better rates.
4) Taxes
Update your address with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners department. This will change your address for your tax credits, state pension, income tax, and national insurance. To make the process simpler, open a Government Gateway Account and process the adjustment online. You’ll also need to update your business tax and activate your personal tax account.
5) Personal Life
Of course, your friends and family will want to know where you’re moving to, but don’t forget to add your doctors, dentist, advisors, and lawyer records to your change of address checklist. If you regularly donate to charity organizations, ask them to adjust your details, too. Include membership clubs and alumni groups.
6) Household Services
If your residential services are updated before you leave your old home, your maintenance will continue like clockwork. Include your:
- Pool care service
- Gardening company
- House cleaner
- Deliveries
- Household security
- Newspaper deliveries and periodicals
- E-commerce sites
7) Voter Registration
When you change address, you must register again, either by post or online. You’ll be required to provide your National Insurance number, and if you run into problems, simply call your Electoral Registration Office.
8) Local Council
The .gov.ie site offers online change of address services, which should be completed as soon as possible to ensure your council taxes remain up to date. Once you’ve filled in the online forms, you’ll be contacted to complete the process. Failing to update your details could amount to tax fraud, so this is one of the most important changes you must make.
Moving is supposed to be an adventure. Keep your paperwork in order, and it’ll go smoothly enough for you to enjoy the journey (and the destination.) As with most things, prevention is better than cure. Alerting the service providers of your move ahead of time will avert a hundred problems.
If you’re about to move, let us prepare your new home in advance with the help of our cleaning services and moving companies. Use our convenient price comparison services, and we’ll send you six non-binding quotes. Our handy request form makes the process even easier.
Make your move easy with a moving company
Moving can be a stressful time. If you want to make your house removal easy and focus on what’s more important, such as your change of address or utilities, find a company near you. You needn’t do all the hard lifting of moving yourself. Contact us to receive up to 6 free quotes, then let one of our removal companies handle the heavy work. We’ll give you an overview of the price ranges that suit your unique needs, and provide estimates for any additional costs you might accrue. Transparency is an important part of your budgeting, after all.
