Street naming and numbering

Please click on the link below if you want to rename an existing property, name a new property in an existing street or name a new street and number its properties.

Naming and numbering of properties and streets form

The correct addressing of a property is very important. Increasing numbers of organisations, not least the emergency services and Royal Mail, need an efficient means of locating and referring to specific properties.

New housing developments
To obtain a property number, address and postcode for newly built homes or business premises and/or name a new street contact us. We will need:

1. Site layout plan, preferably in CAD, DXF, DWG or similar format, clearly indicating the plot numbers and the extent of each separate dwelling, office or business unit and including point of deliveries.
2. Site Location Plan clearly showing the location of the development (If suitable plans for the above have already been included in the planning application these may not be required).
3. Proposals for the street name(s) and property names if relevant.

• We will consult with Royal Mail, Police, ward councillors and the parish council and let you know if there is any problem with the chosen street name(s).
• We will allocate an address to each plot using DETR guidelines for allocating property numbers.
• If the properties are in streets that do not contain street numbers, a name should be allocated at the development stage and the new owner made aware of the need to contact the Council if they wish to change the name.
• Once everything has been agreed we will send you a copy of the Site Layout Plan annotated with the details of the scheme.
• It is the developer's responsibility to inform any purchaser of the allocated address of the property concerned. The developer should issue the purchaser with a copy of the Schedule of Property Numbering.
• The developer is responsible for the erection of street name plates to the Council's specification.
• The developer is also responsible for informing Royal Mail when a property is completed.

Specification for street nameplates
Street nameplates are fitted, complete with stands in black recycled plastic, 4" black MOT lettering on white background with a ½" black border, at a height of 39 inches (from ground to top of street nameplate). The legs should be long enough to allow them to be well secured into the ground. Letters are dye pressed. Nameplate is in aluminium and fitted to backboard with security screws. Backing board should be bolted to upright and the support frame should have a bevelled top.

Street nameplates which are for wall fixing should be supplied by the manufacturer with sufficient drilled holes for secure fixing to brickwork. Nameplates fixed on walls have the same specification as those supplied with stands and backing boards.

For more information about street nameplates, please call 01883 732731 or send an e-mail to Tandridge Commercial Services.

Property names and numbers
If a property has been allocated a number, the number cannot be taken away from the address and must be clearly displayed on the property. The owner of the property is obliged to use the allocated house number.

Is your property adequately signed?
The number (or name, where the property does not have a house number) must be displayed in a prominent position on the property, clearly visible from the street. This is important in assisting the Emergency Services to find your property.

Changing a house name or adding a name to a numbered property
The procedure for changing a name or adding a name to a numbered property normally takes up to three weeks to complete. Please do not make any changes to the address of your property until you have received confirmation of the new name from us.

We will need:

1. Current address of property including postcode.
2. Proposals for the new name.
3. Date change should be effective from.
4. Names or numbers of the properties either side of your property.
5. Daytime telephone number.

• We will consult with Royal Mail who will check whether there is a similar address that may cause confusion. We are unable to register a name if it is identical to another property in the same street. If there is a problem with the name we will let you know.
• We will inform you that the name has been changed. We will also inform Royal Mail, the emergency services and other statutory authorities.
• Royal Mail should alter their database within ten working days. However it could take up to six months for other companies' databases to be amended.
• Please ensure that the new name is displayed in a prominent position on the property, clearly visible from the street.
• Any information provided by the local council cannot be used to update your contact address at Land Registry. You can get information for registered proprietors on amending address details by visiting Land Registry publications - look for Public Guide 2 - Keeping your address for service up to date.

Renaming and renumbering streets
On extremely rare occasions it becomes necessary to rename or renumber a street. This may be done if:

• There is confusion over the street 's name and/or numbering.
• A large majority of residents are unhappy with their street name.
• New properties are built in a street and there is a need for other properties to be renumbered to accommodate the new properties.
• The number of named-only properties in a street is deemed to be causing confusion for emergency services, postal deliveries etc.

If the Council feels there is sufficient justification, existing residents will be contacted and their views taken into account. To change a street name we will ballot the local residents on the issue. Hopefully there will be 100% support, but we require at least a two-thirds majority to make the change.