Can I add a name to my property?
You can contact the Council's street naming and numbering service to do. This can be by either e-mail or letter. Requests must be in writing and include the full postal address of the property, along with the proposed name.
We will check that the proposed name is acceptable, if not, we will ask for an alternative. Examples of unacceptable names include those which could be confusing or offensive.
The name will become and official part of the address of your property, so it is important that details are provided in writing. You must be the property's owner to make the request. That is you are either the owner of the freehold or lease.
If the name is acceptable, we will let you know and inform the Royal Mail. If your property already has a number, you have a legal obligation to continue to show and use this number. The name can only be used in addition to this number, for example, 'The Cottage', 1 The High Street.
It is important that your address is correctly and consistently recorded to avoid any unnecessary delays or confusion when services are trying to identify the exact location of your property.
Please contact us using this form for requests wherever possible, as this speeds the process of responding to your enquiry promptly and efficiently.
Can I change the name of my property?
You can contact the Council's street naming and numbering service. This can be by either email or letter. Requests must be in writing and include the existing name and full postal address of the property, along with the proposed name.
We will check that the proposed name is acceptable. If it is not, we will ask for an alternative suggestion. Examples of unacceptable names include those which could be confusing or offensive.
The name will become an official part of the address of your property, so it is important that details are provided in writing. You must be the property's owner to make such a request. That is, you are either the owner of the freehold or lease.
If the name is acceptable, we will let you know and inform the Royal Mail.
If your property already has a number, you have a legal obligation to continue to show and use this number. The name can only be used in addition to this number - for example, 'The Cottage, 1 The High Street'.
The Council will include the new name in a monthly 'address update' which it sends to a wide range of organisations including the Land Registry and the Royal Mail's Postal Address File. This 'PAF' is a national source of addressing information used by commercial and delivery organisations.
It is important that your address is correctly and consistently recorded to avoid any unnecessary delays or confusion when services are trying to identify the exact location of your property.
Please contact us using this form for requests wherever possible, as this speeds the process of responding to your enquiry promptly and efficiently.
I've moved into a new property - why isn't my address or postcode recognised?
You may have tried to connect a service or purchase goods on the internet, and experienced difficulties with organisations claiming that your address does not exist.
In the majority of cases, this will either be because the Council's street naming and numbering service was not informed of the original development, or that the development is now being occupied. As a direct result, the Royal Mail has not included the address in its Postal Address File, which is the national source of addressing information used by commercial and delivery organisations.
If you require your address to be registered, please contact the Council's street naming and numbering service by using this form
Please note that the process of allocating a postcode to a development can take up to 6-8 weeks. In most cases, however, a solution can be found more quickly.
For more information about postal deliveries and related queries, please visit the Royal Mail website which is available from the Related Content section or call them on 08457 740 740.
Who looks after postal addresses and post codes?
The developer approaches the Council's street naming and numbering service once work has started on site for a new property or development in the borough. Once planning and building regulations are approved, the Council starts the process of street naming and numbering.
The Council assigns a postal address to a property, and informs the Royal Mail. The Royal Mail then assigns a postcode to the property.
Once the number or name of the property has been agreed, a letter is sent to the developer or owner confirming the new address. A circular is then sent to organizations that include Land Registry and the Valuation Office. Additionally other areas of the Council are contacted, for example Planning, Council Tax and Electoral Services.
It is vital that Rochford District Council is informed of any change of address details to a residential or commercial property so that other organisations can be informed. Failure to do so could have an impact on emergency services responses, connecting to utility companies, obtaining credit and receiving mail.
Why do I have to display the number of my property?
All householders have a duty to display the number of their property. This is a both a legal requirement, and a practical way of avoiding any unnecessary delays or confusion when services are trying to identify the exact location of your property.
In the past, a name was sometimes assigned to a property rather than a number. Properties which have not had a number assigned by the Council can display just the name, but properties which have been numbered must display the assigned number on their property, and use it as part of their full postal address.
What can I do about difficulties with receiving my post?
Your first point of contact should be the Royal Mail.
For more information about postal deliveries and related queries, please visit the Royal Mail website which is available from the Related Content section or call them on 08457 740 740.
If this does not resolve the issue, please contact the Council's street naming and numbering service, by using this form or letter. Queries must include the full postal address of the property.
How do I contact the Council's street naming and numbering service?
You can contact the Council's street naming and numbering service by email or letter. Requests must be in writing to avoid confusion and to enable the necessary checks to be made.
Use this form for requests wherever possible, as this speeds the process of responding to your enquiry promptly and efficiently.
If you have any queries or request any further information please contact us on 01702 546366.
The postal address is Rochford District Council , Street Naming and Numbering, Council Offices South Street Rochford Essex SS4 1BW.
Who is responsible for street name plates?
For new developments, it is the responsibility of the developer to install any new street name plates before they leave site, and for maintenance in the first year.
After the first year, Rochford District Council then takes on responsibility for street nameplates. We can help with the following:
- street name plate repairs
- street name plate specifications
- street name plate production.
Please contact the Council depot on 01702 318005 or email depot@rochford.gov.uk for more information, or if you would like the Council to produce a street name plate for a new development on your behalf.