3 reasons why you should redirect your post when you move
You might even be able to pay less for your redirection
Moving house can be a stressful and costly experience. There’s a lot to do. You’ve got to pack, clean and arrange moving vans.
So it’s not a surprise that sorting out what happens to your post can fall to the bottom of your priority list. Some people think they don’t need to redirect their post because they don’t get many letters.
But our new research reveals that even if you don’t send a lot of letters yourself, you probably rely more on post than you realise. You might receive letters from health services about appointment times, or messages from the council or government departments about your benefits or money you owe. Some letters might be unexpected or infrequent, like a letter telling you about a court date or fine.
Royal Mail’s redirection service helps to make sure you don’t lose important post. Mail is forwarded to your new address, giving you time to notify contacts once the storm of moving has settled.
What’s the point of redirecting your post?
- If you don’t redirect, you could lose bills sent through the post and get fined. We’ve heard of people who damaged their credit scores after not paying their bills, making it difficult to apply for a mortgage or credit card.
- You could miss out on hospital appointments and wait longer for treatment.
- People living at your old address could access your confidential information. Criminals could even use your personal information to apply for loans and bank accounts. Fraud prevention organisation Cifas says it’s seen this type of activity increase by 17% between 2020 and 2021.
How a £12 council tax bill turned into a £600 nightmare for Jake
Jake’s 25 and doesn’t usually get much post. So when he moved abroad, it didn’t seem worth paying for redirection. But when he got back to the UK and moved into a new home, he was told that he was at risk of eviction.
Jake realised he’d left an outstanding £12 on his council tax bill where he used to live. The council only told him via letters to his old address. But he never received them. Jake was summoned to court — but these letters were also only sent to his old house. After missing his court dates and racking up debt to the council, Jake’s £12 forgotten bill had turned into £600 in fines.
Why should I pay for redirection when I could sort out my own post?
The upfront price of a redirection might make it tempting to find your own solution. Lots of people choose to update organisations themselves, or ask neighbours to look out for their post.
But these workarounds often fail when you need them most.
It can be difficult to remember to tell every organisation that you’re moving, especially if you don’t hear from them often. And relying on neighbours or former flatmates to look out for your post doesn’t always work, especially if you lose touch or fall out after you move.
Interested in taking out a redirection? Here’s everything you need to know
Royal Mail’s redirection scheme starts from £33.99. You can buy it online or at the Post Office.
Royal Mail can redirect your post for 3, 6 or 12 months. The City of London Police recommends asking Royal Mail to redirect your post for at least a year.
Check if you’re eligible for a discount
If you receive Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you could save up to 40% on the cost of redirection. The cheapest redirection starts from £22.50 for 3 months. You can find a full list of prices on the Royal Mail website.
Need more help?
We’re here for you. Contact us if you would like more information or need support.
