Who to Inform When Moving House in Edinburgh (Complete Checklist)
8th of December, 2025
Moving house in Edinburgh involves more than packing boxes and arranging a van. To prevent missed bills, fines, delayed post, or service interruptions, you must update a wide range of organisations. There is enough to think about already when you are moving house, that's why we've created this clear checklist to help you keep track of who you need to notify. We've included contact details and website links where possible.
This guide provides a clear, Edinburgh-specific checklist of who to inform when moving house. There is also a handy timeline at the end to help you know when to contact each organisation.
Quick Answer: Who to Inform When You Move House in Edinburgh
Essentials
- Edinburgh Council (Council Tax, Electoral Register, Garden Waste)
- HMRC
- NHS GP and dentist
- Utility providers (gas, electricity)
- Broadband and mobile provider
- Banks, credit cards, loan providers
Usually required
- DWP (if you receive benefits or pensions)
- DVLA (driving licence and V5C)
- Insurance companies (home, car, pet, travel)
- Employer and payroll
- Schools, universities, childcare
- Property factor (common in Edinburgh flats)
- TV Licensing
Optional
- Parking permit (Controlled Parking Zones CPZ)
- Royal Mail redirection
- Subscriptions and online accounts
- Local vet (pet microchip address update)
- Car clubs such as Enterprise Car Club
Why It Matters in Edinburgh
Failing to notify the right organisations can cause problems such as missed mail, invalid insurance, and even fines. In addition to this, Edinburgh homes often come with challenges like shared mail areas, restricted meter access, and CPZ parking. Not to mention Edinburgh’s quirky tenement flat numbering system! Updating your address promptly helps ensure:
- Accurate Council Tax billing
- Uninterrupted postal deliveries
- Valid parking permits for your new zone
- Correct driving licence and vehicle records
- Clean closure and setup of utilities
Essential to Notify When Moving House
Edinburgh Council
Council Tax - Use the Council’s “Council Tax - Change of address" form to report your move. You’ll need the address and postcode of your old and new property plus details of buyers/sellers. It covers moving into, within, or out of Edinburgh. This applies to owners and renters.
Electoral Register - Update via the national voter registration service: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Garden Waste Collection - If you have a brown‑bin permit, use the garden‑waste change form (at least six weeks’ notice is required)
HMRC
Update your address for tax records, Child Benefit, and personal tax account here: https://www.gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-address. If you are self-employed, this also updates your Self Assessment details.
NHS GP and Dentist Registration
GP Registration - To register with a new Edinburgh GP, start by entering your address or postcode here to find your local GP practice.
Then contact your preferred GP surgery to ask about registering. You can download the GP Practice Application Form here.
Dentist - You can normally keep the same dentist when you move, so you just need to update your address directly with your dental practice. If you need to register with a new dentist, find an NHS dentist near you using the NHS Inform website.
Utilities - Gas and Electricity
Notify gas and electricity suppliers that you will be moving, a week or so before your move. Tell them your move‑out date and where to send the final bill. Don't forget to take a final meter reading on the day of your move.
Broadband and Mobile
Update your broadband and/or mobile provider with your new address up to a month before moving to ensure accurate billing and uninterrupted service, especially if your plan includes location-based coverage checks or equipment delivery.
Banks
Notify all of your banks, credit cards and loan providers. This can be done after you move but it's important they have your new address. Failing to do so is a security risk and might also result in fees or charges for missing payments on loans.
Important to notify, if applicable
DVLA
Driving Licence - Change the address on your Driver's Licence online for free. You can continue to drive while waiting for your new licence
Vehicle Logbook (V5C) - If you own a vehicle, you can change the address on your vehicle log book online. You'll need your vehicle registration number and V5C document reference number.
DWP (Benefits & State Pension)
Benefits - If you receive any benefits or State Pension you can update your address here: https://www.gov.uk/report-benefits-change-circumstances. This covers Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, Carer’s Allowance, and others.
For State Pension only: Pensioners must notify the Pension Service after moving house. Phone 0800 731 0469 or use the online service to report a change.
Royal Mail redirection – Consider setting up a mail redirection for at least 3–6 months. In buildings with shared stairwells, this helps ensure your post reaches you while you update your address everywhere else.
Insurance providers – Let your car insurer, home insurer, and contents insurer know your new address. Car premiums vary by postcode, and home policies must match your property’s location and type.
Employer and payroll – Give your employer your new address so that payroll records and HMRC reporting stay accurate and any correspondence goes to the right place.
TV Licensing – Update your TV Licence address online. Your licence must show your correct address to remain valid.
Schools, universities, and childcare – Tell your children’s schools or nursery, and any university you attend, about your new address. This keeps their records and emergency contact details up to date.
Subscriptions, charities, memberships, and online retailers – Update your address with any subscription services, charities, gym memberships, and online shopping accounts. In Edinburgh’s tenements, undelivered packages can be left in communal stairwells, so correct addresses matter.
Local vets (pet microchips) - Make sure your vet updates the microchip registry with your new address. This helps ensure your pet can be reunited with you if they ever get lost.
Car clubs (e.g. Enterprise Car Club) - Update your address in any car-sharing or car club memberships so that insurance and billing information are correct.
Edinburgh-Specific Organisations You May Need to Inform
Property factor
If your building has a Property Factor to organise shared stair cleaning, maintenance or repairs, tell them when you move in or out so billing and contact details stay accurate.
Parking permit (CPZ)
Edinburgh has a number of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ). If your new address is in the same parking zone as your current address, simply update your address online when you move.
If you are moving into a different permit zone, email residentsparking@edinburgh.gov.uk to apply for a new permit for your new zone and cancel your old one. More information here. Furthermore, if you are moving to a different permit zone you can get a temporary 5 day parking permit for your old address, so you can still park there while you complete your move. Email residentsparking@edinburgh.gov.uk on the day you move (this can’t be done in advance).
Timeline for Managing Your Address Change in Edinburgh
Follow this chronological guide to know exactly when to notify each organisation before, during and after your move, so you avoid missed bills, lost mail and parking or permit issues.
2-4 weeks before moving
- Notify Edinburgh Council (Council Tax, Electoral Register, and Garden Waste if applicable))
- Arrange Royal Mail redirection
- Check parking permits
- Contact your property factor if you have one.
- Contact your broadband provider if you have one
One week before moving
- Notify gas and electricity suppliers that you will be moving. Tell them your move‑out date and where to send the final bill.
- Plan for meter access. In some Edinburgh flats, meters may be in a communal area. Arrange access now so you can read them on moving day.
On moving day
- Take final meter readings. Read and photograph your gas and electricity meters just before handing over the keys. Submit the readings to your suppliers immediately (preferably the same day), and keep a note or photo of them to compare against your final bill
- Read the meters at your new home. Take photographs for future reference
- Apply for a temporary parking permit (if applicable)
Within the first week after moving
- Update your address with essential organisations. Inform your bank, employer, insurers, schools, DVLA, HMRC, GP and dentist, and any subscriptions so they have your new address.
- Notify your vet (if applicable). Update your pet’s microchip registration so it reflects your new address.
Following this timeline helps ensure you notify the right people at the right time and avoids repeated steps or missed responsibilities.
Need Help With Your Edinburgh Move?
A professional removals team can streamline the process, provide access solutions for tenements, and help with timing logistics. Make your move simple. Contact Blackhall Moving & Storage for expert support, local knowledge, and a smooth Edinburgh move from start to finish.
Call us on 0131 235 2525 | Email info@blackhallmoving.co.uk | Send a message