Are you about to move house? Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, moving into your first home or a new rental property, it’s an exciting time. New beginnings, a new environment and a new suburb to explore. Amidst the excitement, it can be easy to forget some of the practical aspects of moving house, such as changing your address with various providers. This helpful article will share a change of address checklist so you can work your way through it as you move. Continue reading to learn more.
Your Electricity Company
The first thing you should arrange is to update your new address with your power company. The last thing you want to do is arrive at your new abode only to find that you’ve forgotten to update your address and you have no power. This is a relatively simple process; you usually have to call your electricity provider and advise them of your new location and when you will commence living there. This way, they can ensure a seamless transfer of your power. Some companies even have online portals where you can update your address over the Internet prior to your move.
Your Gas Company
The next step is to update your address with your gas company, in order to ensure a connection once you arrive at your new property. You’ll want the gas switched on, in order to cook, have hot water and heating, if you happen to move during the winter months. Again, this is a simple call to the company, or you may also be able to action this online via your gas retailer’s website.
Internet Service Provider
You should also contact your internet service provider (ISP) to arrange your broadband or NBN connection at your new property. You’ll want the internet connected, so you can work from home, access your emails, social media and other tasks that require an internet connection. This is an essential part of updating your address across the different providers. You should be able to achieve this with a call to your ISP or do it via their dedicated online customer portal.
Insurance Company
If you have contents and motor vehicle insurance, you’ll need to update your new address with your insurance provider. This is so that in the unlikely event of a car theft, house fire, flood or other awful occurrence, you’re covered at the right address. Your insurer needs to know where you live so they can update your policies accordingly. Also, it is worth noting that a change of address can mean a reduction or increase in your premium when it is time for renewals due to the risk factors associated with your new location. For instance, a suburb with a higher robbery crime rate can mean a higher premium for your contents insurance, or a place with lots of car theft can cause your motor vehicle insurance premiums to rise as well.
The Kids School and Extracurricular Activities
You’ll also want to update your address for the kids’ daycare, kindergarten, schools, and extracurricular activities. The schools will need to know where you live so they can keep an accurate record of enrolment and also send out any hard copy documents such as reports or other letters. You can do this by calling the relevant places. Activities like swimming lessons, scouts, cubs or other after-school activities also need to know where you live for their records.
Electoral Commission
If you’ve moved into a new electorate for both your local, state and federal governments, you need to update the relevant electoral commission. This is incredibly important, as it will mean your vote can be counted at council, state and federal government elections. In a democracy like ours, every vote counts, so ensure that you update this, especially if it’s an election year.
Your Bank
Another institution you need to update your address with is your financial providers, or your bank, credit card companies or any other loan providers. This is vital because they will often send you hard copy account statements, important letters and other communications. A simple call to your various financial institutions should be easy enough to do to update your new address.
Your Recreational Activities
Finally, if you’re a member of a gym, leisure centre, automotive club, hobby group or other place where you spend your spare time, you should provide these places with your new address. This is so they can send things like bills, letters, memberships, cards and other important documentation to your new address.
A Change of Address Summary
This helpful article has covered the ideal moving house change of address checklist. As you prepare to move to your new location, slowly but surely work your way through this list, ensuring that you update your new address with all the organisations, institutions, companies and providers that you have.
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