9. Procedure for Address Changes
If the property has a house number, it will not normally be possible to replace the number with a name. In cases of dispute a decision will be made by Street Name and Numbering in line with our current procedure. These will only be considered where it can be shown that the current numbering system causes delivery problems or emergency response issues. Also, if more than one property is affected then the written agreement of all owners affected will have to be obtained by the person requesting the change.
To request a change to an address, the owner must give us either by email or in writing,
- the existing house name, address and postcode
- the proposed new address
- a plan showing the exact location of the property if the property is not easily identifiable from the existing address.
- a date from which the change should be made if it’s not immediate (in case the application should be between exchange and completion stage of a sale)
- If a resident wishes a house name that either Street Name and Numbering or the Royal Mail consider inappropriate in any way we will not assist in the renaming process.
Requests can only be accepted from the owners of properties and not tenants.
We cannot formally change a property name where the property is in the process of being purchased, that is, until exchange of contracts, although we can give guidance on the acceptability of a chosen name before this.
A check is made by us to ensure there is no other property in the location with the same or similar name. Royal Mail will then be asked for their opinion on the suitability of the chosen name in case it may cause delivery problems due to the similarity with other local names. Royal Mail cannot guarantee mail delivery if their advice is ignored. In these situations, we will formally advise the applicant against the name and may also contact those other affected properties.
In the absence of fraud or malice, we cannot oppose a property name which is the same or similar to another nearby, but we will advise against it.
Owners/residents of affected properties may take legal action if they have delivery problems caused by such name changes.
Once all checks are satisfactorily complete and any necessary fees received, we will change the name of the property and advise the relevant parties including Royal Mail, Ordnance Survey, Council Tax, the Local Land and Property Gazetteer team and emergency services. A full list of those informed is included in Appendix A.
We will then confirm the new official address in writing to the owner of the property.