A Helpful Checklist for Address Changes – Moving Made Simple

For most people who live ordinary urban or suburban lives, moving house is among the most stressful things to do, but with this helpful checklist for address changes, that will be a thing of the past.

Aside from the logistical challenges of packing up and transporting your belongings to another location, you also have to deal with the emotional stress of growing accustomed to that new place, turning it into a house that you and your family can call home. However, that is not all you have to worry about. Aside from the physical labour, the logistics and the emotional stresses, there are also plenty of administrative tasks that absolutely must be done. In addition to changing your utilities when moving, you also have to notify a long list of people and companies about your change of address. Failure to do so can have repercussions, yet it is, unfortunately, very easy to forget one of the many individuals or businesses who need to know your address. 

To help you make your next move easier, Property Button has compiled a comprehensive list of everyone you need to contact when you move home. Work through the list systematically, and you should have no problems ensuring that everyone has your new address by the time you move – or at least within a week of your arrival at your new home. We have also included a rundown of some other administrative tasks that you will need to carry out in preparation for your move. These are not difficult tasks, but they are easily overlooked in the mad rush of packing and moving. Follow our moving checklist for Ireland.

Who Needs to Know About Your Change of Address? 

Firstly, in the weeks before your move – about a month in advance should be fine – compile a list of all the people and organisations who need to know about your move. It may help to divide the list into sub-lists based on how they all fit into your life. The subdivisions we have included below might prove helpful, but you should arrange your list in a way that makes the most sense to you. Most importantly, consider your utility providers (Gas, Electricity, Bins, TV and Broadband) your professional life, your car, the financial institutions where you have your accounts and local authorities. Give everyone about 30 days’ notice so that the change can take place in a timely manner. 

In Your Professional Life?

The first person who should know about your move and your new address is your employer. The company you work for needs to know your address for a variety of reasons, from payroll and tax purposes to provision for potential emergencies. It is very important that they have up-to-date address details at all times.

Speaking of payroll and taxes, you should also notify Revenue. Log onto ROS to get access to your account, where you can make the necessary changes.

Managing Information Changes for Your Car 

Next, you need to change your address with any service provider or authority related to your car. Your insurance provider calculates your cover based on many different factors, one of which is the location where you keep the vehicle most of the time. This means that you will have to update your address in order to remain compliant with your policy. If you do not make this change, your insurer could deny any future claim you need to make.

Also, remember to send your vehicle registration certificate, with the completed change of address section, to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Computer Service Division. It is very important that the licensing office has an up-to-date address if your car is ever damaged or stolen. 

Financial Institutions You Should Notify About Your Address Change 

Wherever you hold bank accounts, you must register a change of address. You can do this via online banking, or by visiting your branch. Even with so many banks going paperless, accounts are still often linked to the address you provided on your application. You also needed to provide proof of address when you opened the account, so it is very important that the address linked to your account is current and correct. Making this change will also provide you with a new proof of address that you can use for administrative purposes later on. The need to notify a financial institution of an address change applies, not only to banks, but also to credit card companies, credit unions, pension providers and insurance providers.

Local Authorities That Need to Be Made Aware of Your Address Change

Finally, don’t forget the government. Log on to checktheregister.ie and update your address on the voter’s roll. It is important to make this change, especially in an election year. You should also register your new address with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, particularly if you are currently collecting any benefits.

Don’t Forget to Move Your Utilities

Perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to move your utilities when you move. Most utilities will need to be notified in advance. Bin collection, broadband, telephone and TV licence will have to be changed or cancelled in advance. When it comes to electricity and gas, you can normally inform the provider on the day of the move. This rule of thumb applies whether you are simply changing your address but staying with the same provider, or cancelling your account with your current provider in order to take up the services of another. 

Here is a general routine you can follow when moving your utility bills in Ireland.

• Investigate new energy providers: Don’t just assume that you have to retain the same energy provider. There may be a better value to be had and when you are moving, it’s a good time to ensure you are getting the best deal available. Investigate the energy providers in your destination area and choose the most suitable one. You don’t even need to do this for yourself. Property Button can research new providers, and set up new accounts for you. 

• Notify Your Electricity/ Gas Providers: Whatever you decide to do, let your current and new providers know. If you are setting up a new account with a new provider, you will need to give them some notice. If you are simply switching your address but keeping the same provider, you can make the change at fairly short notice.

• Move Your TV: If you are subscribed to a streaming or satellite TV service, notify them of your change of address and give them as much notice as you can. 

• Change the Address for Your TV Licence: You can change your TV licence details online at https://www.tvlicence.ie/ChangeAddressLogOn.aspx.

• Change the Address for Your Telephone. If you use a landline, you can contact your service provider and let them know about the change of address about 30 days before the move.  
• Investigate New Broadband/Internet Connection: As with your energy accounts, it may be worth your while to look for a new provider at your new location. Property Button can help you with this too. 

Details You Need on Hand Before Calling Your Utility Provider 

When you call your utility provider to change or cancel your service, have the following details to hand:

1. Your Account Number and MPRN/GPRN
2. Your forwarding address
3. A Meter Reading 
4. Contact Details for the Landlord to Switch the Account (If You Are Renting)

How to Get a Meter Reading 

Reading your meter is easy, and your meter reading is an essential piece of information to give to your utility provider. There are four different types of meter, each of which has to be read differently:

• Mechanical evolving disc meter: On the meter, you will see a revolving metal disc with a row of numbers above it. Those numbers make up your reading. Simply jot them down. Some mechanical meters have two different rows – one for daytime usage and the other for night usage. Take both of these readings and give them to your service provider.

• Electronic meter: These meters have a digital display, which you simply read from left to right.

• Pay-as-you-go meter: If you are on a pay-as-you-go electricity service, press the number 9 on your keypad. Your reading will display on a digital screen.
• Smart meter: With a smart meter, you do not need to take the reading yourself, as it will be collected and shared with your provider via a secure network.

We’ve Managed Over 150,000 Moves With 98% Customer Satisfaction 

Property Button is a free service  that is trusted by thousands of Irish renters and homeowners to handle all the moving tasks we have touched on above. We completed over 150,000 moves and counting. Property Button makes changing your address and switching your utility providers as easy as possible. The service is compliant and secure, absolutely free, comes with no sneaky clauses, is quick to set up and eliminates those long service calls that cut into your precious working and moving time.

What Property Button Can Manage During Your Move 

You can entrust Property Button with the moving and set-up of all the following utilities:

•  Satellite TV and streaming services
•  Energy providers, including gas and electricity from all the major suppliers 
•  Broadband and internet connection
•  Waste collection services

Property Button is safe, fast and free. It provides the best way of changing utilities when moving. Contact us for more information about our helpful checklist for address changes or other enquiries.