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Street naming and numbering
Royal Mail will not accept new or amended property details from any organisation, other than us.
All street naming and numbering requests must be made through the correct application process:
How to request a new address or change an existing address
Add or change a house name
- It must be the property owner who applies to add or change a house name.
- You may have a house name in addition to the number, but house numbers cannot be removed from your postal address and must be displayed in a prominent position on the property, visible from the road.
- The cost of the application is £85.
- If the new name is accepted a confirmation will be sent via email. You must receive this before making any changes.
- We will also inform Royal Mail, emergency services, utility companies and our other council departments of the new property name.
Apply and pay using our online house name change form
Further information
If you need further advice you can email our team at landcharges@arun.gov.uk.
For detailed information please see our street naming and property numbering policy and Guidance notes for applicants.
Developers requiring an address for a new property or properties
If you need any help before making an application, please email landcharges@arun.gov.uk. For detailed information see our street naming and property numbering policy.
How to apply
You can apply online:
You'll need to attach a plan with your application:
- showing layout and plot numbers, and ideally points of access (we may request further plans once we have the request, for example, floor plans for blocks of flats)
- in an electronic format (only PDF or JPEG formats are accepted)
Fees
New build properties or developments
|
Type of application |
Charge (per application) |
|---|---|
|
New individual property |
£70 |
|
New development or redevelopment (new builds and conversions including new builds following demolition) |
£240 per road + £70 per plot |
|
Amendment to previously approved address |
£45 per property |
Existing properties and/or streets
|
Type of application |
Charge (per application) |
|---|---|
|
Change of property name or commercial property name |
£85 |
|
Change of building name (for example a block of flats) |
£85 + £45 per flat or unit |
|
Street renaming (resident's request) |
£240 + £45 per property |
|
Database corrections (for example incorrect spelling) |
No charge |
Street naming rules
When allocating or agreeing on street names, we consider the following:
- we favour street names which reflect the historical significance of an area, or that refer to people who have been connected to that area or site
- ideally, street names should not be difficult to pronounce or awkward to spell
- the name should not duplicate any similar name already used locally - for example, in the same postcode area
- street names must not contain punctuation - For example, 'St Mary's Close' will be officially recorded as 'St Marys Close'
- the creation of an address in order to secure a 'prestige' address or to avoid an address which is thought to be undesirable will not be allowed
Property numbering rules
When allocating or agreeing property numbers, we consider the following:
- specific property numbers will not be avoided, except number 13
- a proper sequence should be maintained
- for infill developments it may be necessary to use an alphabetical suffix, for example 9a
- generally, all roads will be numbered with odd numbers on the left and evens on the right
- small cul-de-sac developments may be numbered sequentially
- properties (including those on corner plots) will be numbered according to the road in which the main access is situated
What happens next
- We'll consult with the ambulance service, fire and rescue service and the relevant town or parish council regarding the proposed street names or changes to the existing street name.
- Residents will also be consulted on changes to existing street names.
- We'll then ask Royal Mail to allocate postcodes for all the properties in question.
Once agreed
Once street names and postcodes have been agreed upon, we'll inform the developer and various statutory bodies such as Royal Mail, utility companies, West Sussex County Council, mapping companies and various council departments.
Having problems with your address
Not receiving your post
If you're not receiving your post, you should contact Royal Mail:
Email addressdevelopment@royalmail.com
Phone 08456 045060
Address not being recognised
If you have just moved into a new property and are having problems with your address not being recognised, this could be because either:
- the new development addresses are being held up in the Royal Mail 'Not Yet Built' file
- the council was not informed of the original development so we have not registered the property
To check if your property has been registered, please email landcharges@arun.gov.uk. If the property has not been registered, you will be asked to complete an application.
Royal Mail will only accept new or amended property details (like a new house name) from us; you cannot do this yourself.
It's important that your address is registered so this information can be passed on to the emergency services, Royal Mail and any other organisations that may need it.
