How much does it cost to redirect mail when you move?

Moving house can be a stressful experience. And it's no wonder really – you have to completely move your whole life from one property to another.

You might be able to relax a little more once you start unpacking your belongings – but the work doesn't stop there. You'll need to tell your bank you've moved, make sure your new home is insured and redirect your mail.  

But how much does it cost to redirect post when you move? We explore.

How much does it cost to redirect my mail?

To make sure your letters and packages make it to your new address, you can use one of the following services.

Royal Mail Redirection

You can redirect your personal mail through the Royal Mail Redirection service for up to three, six or 12 months.

Fill in a Redirection form to get this service – available online or at a Post Office® branch. Once you've completed this form, you'll need to take it to your nearest branch with the following.

• Name and dates of birth of everyone wanting a redirect.
• Full old and new addresses with postcodes.
• A payment card registered at the old or new address.

It takes up to five working days to set the service up. You can apply up to three months before you move, or six months after. You can apply for a maximum of eight people at one time.

The cost of this service can vary depending on the length of redirection you choose. You'll pay £31.99 (per last name) for up to 3 months, £41.99 (per last name) for up to 6 months, and £59.99 (per last name) for up to 12 months.

Mail Boxes Etc.

Another option is to rent a mailbox with Mail Boxes Etc. With this service, you'll rent a mail box and your mail will forward from it.

You can call or email the company to check what mail you have. If you don't want to pick up the mail yourself, you can pay for a forwarding service at £3.50 per item. The cost of a mailbox rental will vary on the type of box you pick and how long you'll need it for.

The cheapest option is to get a personal mailbox for three months at a cost of £72 or monthly instalments of £24. You'll pay a £10 registration fee on top of this and £5 for every mailing name you add on each month.

iamoving.com

You can tell companies and organisations that you've moved by entering your old and new addresses for free via iammoving.com. There are a number of organisations that subscribe to this service including Boots and DVLA. Any mail from these companies should redirect to your new address, but this is likely to only be a small amount of the letters you receive.

Why redirect your mail?

It might seem like an extra chore but it is important that you redirect your mail when you move.  Doing so will make sure you receive all of the letters and packages addressed to you without having to tell anyone you've moved.

You'll have peace of mind that any important letters (such as those from your bank, insurer or doctors) should make their way to you. That’s not all – you'll also reduce the risk of falling victim to fraud as scammers won't have access to the personal details in your letters.