Moving house can be a very stressful time in your life with an abundance of things to remember. Whilst the move itself can often be quite costly, people are now being warned to avoid making a common mistake which can lead to a hefty fine.
Those who are set to move into a new house, or who have already moved, are being urged to notify the DVLA of their change in address. Drivers who fail to give the DVLA the address of their new property could be at risk of facing a £1,000 fine.
This is because your vehicle tax reminder, and any speeding or parking fines, will be sent to the address that the DVLA has on record. If these are sent to your old address and you don't receive them, then missing them could have big repercussions.
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The warning comes after research from experts at Quotezone.co.uk reveals almost seven percent of Brits forget to update the DVLA of their new address and could be fined if found with an outdated driving licence.
It does not cost anything to change your address and you can still drive with your current licence while you wait for your new one to be delivered.
The Gov.uk website states: "You must update your driving licence, vehicle log book (V5C), Direct Debit for vehicle tax and other details when you move home.
"You do not need to tell us if you move temporarily (for example you’re living away at university) if we can still contact you at your permanent address."
You can change the address on your driving license online here.
The experts say there are other important steps homeowners should remember to take when moving to a new address, including submitting a final metre reading and informing the bank.
Here are some more steps to remember when moving to help avoid unnecessary costs:
Alert your energy provider
Before leaving your current home, it’s important to let your energy provider know about your move in enough time to make the process smooth and simple.
Providing the company with your new home address means they can send the final bill to your new home to let you know if there are any outstanding payments to be made.
Remember to submit a final metre reading on the day you move out of your property. Those who forget this crucial step could find themselves being charged for energy usage of the new tenant or from a daily standing charge if the property is left empty for some time.
Update your pets microchip
The microchipping law was put in place in April 2016 for dogs and just recently for cats, in March 2023.
Owners are legally required to make sure their furry friend is fitted with a microchip unless they have health conditions that prevent them from the procedure – if caught without a microchip, it can lead to a £500 fine, cat owners have until June 2024 to comply.
Owners are also responsible for updating their contact details, including any change of address which should be updated on the microchip database, failing to do so could land them another £500 fine.
Council tax
It’s important to update the local council when you’re changing addresses. Ignoring this step could result in being overcharged for your council tax or being stung with a financial penalty.
The council is likely to require your new address, old address, name of the new tenant or owner of your previous address and the details of the solicitor dealing with the sale.
Update your finances
To make sure no confidential letters containing bank details are sent to your previous address, you must remember to inform the bank of your new address. Letting them know of your plans to move early in the process.
You may also need to get in touch with any stores you hold cards for and any other direct debits you have in place.
This is also true for any insurance policies you hold – failure to update the details with your correct address could void the policy, especially when it comes to home or car insurance.
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