- Renumbering of properties results in the owner/occupier being allocated a new address which requires all contacts, both official and private, to be updated with new addressing details. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient. In some instances it has resulted in the change being recorded as a change in address of the occupant, i.e. someone having moved house. This can have implications in credit ratings or can be considered as fraud. Anyone applying for renumbering of a property should understand the implications before moving forward.
- The property number is a definitive descriptor of the property and requests to change can only be accepted from the property owner. HM Land Registry will only accept final confirmation of a change of number from the owner, but it is good practice to protect the owners’ rights and protect them from fraud by ensuring that any such application is with their knowledge.
- Ownership of properties can be obtained at a reasonable cost from HM Land Registry. The SNN Officer should make contact with the officer within their Authority who holds an account to obtain such information.
- Renumbering may arise for a number of reasons. It may be due to a major development which bisects an existing street. Two ends of the street would then have the same name but there may be no direct access from one end to the other. To minimise the extent of the change, it is recommended that the existing numbers be retained in such circumstances.
- Renumbering is more likely to occur where piecemeal development along a street has resulted in poor number sequencing along the length. Where residents request renumbering for this reason costs should be borne by the applicants.
- To get a good numbering layout in the event of piecemeal ongoing development, more properties may have to be renumbered than those for which the existing numbering creates difficulty. In such instances it is useful that the Council’s policy covers elements such as whether just the problematic addresses are adjusted, or an entirely new numbering scheme is adopted; what percentage of affected owners need to accept proposals; and what the cost implications are of this for those affected.