My new build is ready to move into but it’s still not on Royal Mail’s Postcode Address File; how can this be rectified?

It is the responsibility of the developer to ensure that they contact Royal Mail to inform them when a property becomes occupied so that Royal Mail can move the details from the NYB (not yet built) file to the Postcode Address File (PAF).

To activate your new address once the build is complete (i.e. to move the address from NYB to the PAF), please use Royal Mail’s new online contact form. The form requests all the relevant information in the correct format to allow them to deal with your request quickly and efficiently.

Is there a charge for Street Naming and Numbering services?

Yes – the following charges apply:

How long does a Street Naming and Numbering application take to complete?

Please note that these timescales assume that the guidance has been followed and all essential information has been submitted. Whilst we endeavour to complete applications within these timeframes, please be aware that we are subject to consultations with external partners (our Gazetteer team and Royal Mail).

An application for a change of name, or the addition of a name to a numbered property can usually be completed within three weeks.

An application for a single, new address can usually be completed within four weeks.

The completion of an application for multiple addresses can take some time, depending on the size of the development.

For large developments involving the construction of new roads, due to the statutory legal process involved, the Street Naming and Numbering procedure can be quite lengthy. In addition to consulting with our gazetteer team and Royal Mail, we also have to consult the relevant community council who only meet once a month.

We, therefore, advise developers to consult the council at the earliest possible stage of a proposal. If an application is submitted at a late stage and is subsequently rejected, numerous problems can arise.

Please note that where necessary information is not provided and/or the guidance is not followed, timescales can increase significantly.

Can I change the name of my house?

Yes you can, provided that your chosen name adheres to our policy. Please click here to find out how.

Can I add a name to my numbered property?

Yes you can, provided that your chosen name adheres to our policy.

Please note, however, that the number of your property will always be its primary identifier and you cannot remove it. The chosen name will be in addition to the number and will be known as an Alias.

Click here to find out more about adding a name to your numbered property.

If I register my address, am I automatically registered for council tax?

No, but our Council Tax Department is informed of all new addresses set up. To ensure they are aware of your new property, please click here.

What is the Postcode Address File or PAF?

The Postcode Address File (PAF) is Royal Mail’s main address file where all official addresses are stored.

Various organisations subscribe to PAF and use its data in order to confirm that an address is official.

These include utility companies, financial services providers and other commercial organisations selling goods and services on the internet.

Click here for more information about Royal Mail’s Postcode Address Files.

Click here to read Royal Mail’s PAF Code of Practice.

Why is the address you hold for my property different from the address Royal Mail uses?

There can be discrepancies between addresses issued by the local authority and those used by Royal Mail for the delivery of mail.

Whilst Monmouthshire County Council has the legal power to issue an address, Royal Mail has responsibility for issuing postcodes.

Each organisation has its own way of recording data and individual sets of rules governing how this data is managed; because of this, Royal Mail is not always able to match the local authority address exactly.

Monmouthshire County Council creates addresses according to British Standard BS7666, the national standard for addressing.

This form of address always includes the name of the road on which the property is located, assuming that the road name is an officially designated one (as opposed to an unofficial, locally used road name).

In urban areas, where there are many properties located in close proximity on numbered streets, Royal Mail will issue postcodes relating to the names of the streets. The names of these streets will obviously then be included in the address.

However, in rural areas, isolated properties are frequently situated on long stretches of rural roads; rather than allocating a postcode for a road with only a few properties, it tends to allocate geographical postcodes. Where a geographical postcode is used, the road name is not included in the postal address.

For more information, please click here

Who is informed about name changes and new addresses?

The following departments (within Monmouthshire County Council) and organisations are informed when a new address is created or an address changed:

• BT Openreach;
• Council Tax (Monmouthshire County Council);
• Dwr Cymru;
• Elections (Monmouthshire County Council);
• Environmental Health (Monmouthshire County Council);
• Land Registry;
• LandCharges (Monmouthshire County Council);
• NLPG (National Land and Property Gazetteer);
• Wales & West Utilities;
• Gwent Police;
• Royal Mail;
• Welsh Ambulance Service
• SRS GIS Team (Monmouthshire County Council);
• Valuation Office;
• Waste & Street Services (Monmouthshire County Council);

Can the name of my road be changed?

Yes, under certain circumstances. It is, however, an expensive, complex, controversial and lengthy procedure. Please email contact@monmouthshire.gov.uk or call 01633 644644 and ask for Street Naming and Numbering for further information.

What is the legal framework?

The naming of streets and the naming and numbering of properties is a statutory responsibility under Sections 17-19 of The Public Health Act 1925. This is to ensure that any new or amended street and property names and / or numbers are allocated logically and in a consistent manner.

Royal Mail has no statutory power to name a street, name or number a property or rename or renumber a property; however, it does have the sole duty of issuing or amending postcodes once the address details have been confirmed by the council.

For further information regarding the legal framework, please see our Street Naming and Numbering Policy.