House Naming
Can I name my house without contacting the Council?
If a property is already numbered, a property owner can
additionally name their property without contacting the council as
long as it does not conflict with an existing property name in that
locality. The property name in this case will not officially form
part of the property address, and the property number must still be
displayed and referred to in any correspondence; for example:
'My House' (not part of official address)
1 My Road (official address)
Town
County
Postcode
You only need to seek permission from the Council if there is no
number allocated in the official address (i.e. if the property has
been allocated a name as part of its official
address). However you are advised to notify the Council so
that the name can be added to the Local Land
and Property Gazetteer.
When a property has been officially numbered a name can be added
to the address, however, the number must be retained.
How do I name my house?
In the case of addresses where there is no property number
allocated, the allocated name does form part of the official
address. In this instance property owners wishing to change the
property name need to put their request in writing, stating their
name, the present full address of the property and state clearly
their new preferred name.
(This form is currently inaccessible to visitors using assistive
technology. If you require help to complete a form please contact
address management on 01270 537488 or by
email .)
We will contact Royal Mail to see if they have
knowledge of a similar named property in the locality. We check our
information systems and if the name is satisfactory, then the new
address is registered and you will be informed accordingly. If
there is an issue with your preferred name, we will request
alternatives.
The property name change information is currently sent to Royal
Mail, Emergency and essential services and other relevant Council
Services via the national hub. It is the responsibility of property
owners to inform their own personal contacts etc.
Once Royal Mail has confirmed that the change of name is
acceptable, the Council will send an acknowledgement letter to the
resident, along with other organisations and notify the various
departments within the Council.
This service may be chargeable in the future.
