Request naming and numbering for new and existing properties

Royal Mail - Ongoing Delays

Royal Mail is currently experiencing significant delays following the rollout of a new IT system in Spring 2025. These delays are affecting the processing of requests to register new and existing addresses, as well as the issuing of postcodes. The issue is impacting Local Authorities and Street Naming and Numbering applicants nationwide.

As of October 2025, Royal Mail’s turnaround times are currently around 8 to 10 weeks. We understand this may cause inconvenience and appreciate your patience. Our team will continue to work closely with Royal Mail as part of the Street Naming and Numbering process, however, these delays are unfortunately outside of our control.

Why street naming and numbering is important

We name and number streets, as well as approve and register official property addresses. 

We're responsible for allocating house numbers, road names and numbering property conversions. Individuals and developers must not allocate their own house numbers, building or street names. They need permission from the council.

The address of a property is important since many organisations, postal, emergency services and the general public need an efficient means of locating and referencing properties.

If a property is not registered through the street naming and numbering process, it will not appear on the main address database and the owner/occupier might have difficulties in getting mail, goods and services from a variety of sources (e.g. applying for a credit card, or purchasing goods by mail order).

Address data is used by the council, Royal Mail, all statutory undertakers, emergency services, credit agencies, financial institutions, sat navigation system suppliers and many private companies.