Are you getting ready to move? Know that if you will be busy packing your boxes over the next few days, weeks and months, you will also have to take several mandatory administrative steps.
Indeed, a move is a relatively banal event, but one that requires a lot of formalities. Here are the 13 main steps you will need to take in due time to move more peacefully and legally.
No. 1: the steps related to leaving your old home
Leaving your old home will require specific formalities if you were a tenant or co-owner.
If you were a tenant in your old home
You are obliged to send your departure notice to the owner of your accommodation. In the majority of cases, this notice must be sent to him by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt at least three months before the date of your departure. However, if your accommodation is located in a so-called tense area (i.e. in a geographical area where the demand for accommodation is significantly higher than the supply) or if the rented accommodation is furnished, the period of notice is reduced to one month.
After receiving the departure notice – which can also be delivered by hand against a receipt signed by the owner – you must come to an agreement with the lessor to set a date in order to carry out the exit inventory.
If you are the co-owner of your old home
If you sell your old accommodation of which you were co-owner, you have the obligation to inform the syndicate of co-ownership of your future departure. Again, this information must be communicated by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt.
It is also mandatory to ask the syndicate of co-ownership for a statement of the charge account. This document must be provided to the future buyer of the property, because it includes all the charges due, their amount, as well as the annual total of current charges financed by the syndicate of co-ownership. The amount you have paid must also be mentioned, as well as your share, all expressed in percentages, which means that this corresponds to the share of common surfaces, services and equipment allocated to you.
No. 2: steps related to the employer
It is important to inform your employer of your future move. This will allow you to update your address in the documents concerning you, but also to study certain additional procedures (help with transport, working hours, even transfer, etc.). Finally, it’s time to ask for a possible leave to organize the event as well as possible.
If you are registered with Pôle emploi, you must inform the organization of your change of address.
No. 3: procedures related to energy and water contracts
For your energy (electricity, gas, etc.) and water contracts, you will need to contact your various suppliers.
In the majority of cases, even if you keep the same supplier, you will have to close your old contract and open a new one for your new accommodation. Most water and energy suppliers allow these procedures to be carried out very simply online, through a dedicated application or from your customer area, or even by telephone or by post.
Remember to always bring your contract and/or subscriber number, the figures you have read on the meters, the desired changeover date and the address of your new accommodation. A technician can be sent on site for verification or to read the data in the event of an inaccessible meter.
If the termination of your old contract must be done at the right time to avoid being billed for the expenses incurred after your departure, it is important to take the steps to open the contract for your new accommodation at least 15 days before you move in. . All you have to do is indicate the date on which you will occupy the premises. By taking your precautions, you avoid the risk of not benefiting from energy on D-Day. Indeed, a commissioning period of several days may be necessary to have electricity or gas.
No. 4: procedures related to the internet and telephony operator
The procedures are generally simpler with your telephone and internet operator. All you have to do is notify him of your change of address so that your contract is updated on the right date.
However, if you change operator, you will have to terminate your contract before subscribing to a new one. Refer to the terms and conditions provided for in your contract to do this, but be aware that if your former operator cannot offer you service in your new accommodation, you can demand a termination free of charge for legitimate reasons.
No. 5: bank-related procedures
Again, the steps to take with your bank are simple. All you have to do is inform your bank adviser of your change of address for this data to be updated.
If you want to change banks, you can request a branch transfer or take steps to move to a new establishment.
No. 6: procedures related to the insurance company
It is important to contact your insurer to inform them of your change of address, on the one hand, and accommodation, on the other. Indeed, it will be necessary to update your contract in order to cover your new home, the characteristics of which will probably be different from the old one. The amount of your home insurance is subject to change.
Likewise, your car insurance can also go up or down depending on your future place of residence.
Note that if you wish to terminate your insurance contracts on this occasion, you must inform your insurer by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt at least one month before your departure so as not to combine the payment of two contributions.
No. 7: procedures related to social organizations and administrative services
Your move will require you to declare your change of address to several administrative services and social organizations.
- The tax department must be informed. This process can be carried out very simply online from your personal space or by post. You can also make the change when you file your tax return.
- Local governments on which you depend will be notified. Indeed, by informing the town hall of your municipality, you will end your household waste fee contract.
- Social organizations which are the Family Allowance Fund (CAF), the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM), your mutual health insurance fund, your pension fund and others must be informed of your change of address.
No. 8: steps related to mail tracking
Even if you inform everyone who has your old address of your change of residence, it is preferable to set up a procedure of transfer of mail to avoid that certain folds go by the wayside.
Go to a post office and ask for your mail to be forwarded to your new address from the date you move in, for a period of 6 months (renewable once) at the rate of 51.50 euros, or 12 month for an amount of 75 euros.
No. 9: procedures related to schooling
If your children have to change schools because of your move, you will have to take care of the necessary formalities.
If your children attend kindergarten or in elementary school, simply register them with the municipality of your future accommodation. You will receive a registration certificate to enroll your children in the school designated for you. You will need to go there to register your children.
If your children are in middle school or high school, you will have to take these steps earlier, because the acceptance of your request depends on the reception capacities of the establishments. Registration is to be made with the management of the establishment closest to your home.
No. 10: health-related procedures
If you have to move and change your attending physician, you will need to find a new one near your new home and make sure that he is accepting new patients before you begin your procedures. Once the attending physician has been chosen, declare it to the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM) by post, attaching the declaration form completed by the health professional, or let the latter carry out the operation from of your vital card.
No. 11: procedures related to various subscriptions
If you have taken out various subscriptions (gym, leisure activities, extracurricular activities for children, various clubs, public transport subscription, etc.), you will need to indicate your change of address. Depending on your future destination, you may be forced to terminate your contracts and take out new ones. Refer to each contract to carry out your procedures under the required conditions.
If you are considering new subscriptions, find out well in advance, because some clubs or associations do not accept membership during the year.
No. 12: other administrative procedures
Other administrative procedures may be necessary when you move house.
Updating identity papers
If you are of French nationality and you stay in France, nothing obliges you to indicate your change of address and to modify it on your identity card, your passport or your driving licence. On the other hand, when you renew them, you must clearly mention the change of address.
However, if you are a French resident from a Member State of the European Union or from another country, you must change your address on your residence permit.
The vehicle registration document
Often omitted, this step is nevertheless mandatory. Indeed, you have one month after your move to register your new address on your vehicle registration document. The procedure is simple and achievable online through the official website of the French Administration or the National Agency for Secure Documents (ANTS). You will quickly receive an insert to stick in place of your old address. However, this method is only valid for new versions of license plates.
If you still have an old plate, your address change process will automatically lead to a new registration number allocation in order to make it correspond to the new system in force.
Electoral lists
To be able to participate in the next elections, you will have to register on the electoral lists of your new municipality by going directly to the town hall or online or by mail. This will result in your automatic unsubscription from the lists of your former municipality of residence.
If you do not change town, do not forget to inform the town hall of your change of address all the same so that the public services linked to it are informed, or even modified (household waste, etc.).
No. 13: procedures related to moving assistance
Finally, be aware that you may be able to benefit from specific aid to reduce the cost of your move.
Don’t hesitate to ask your employer, the Family Allowance Fund (CAF), the Mutuelle sociale agricole (MSA), the housing solidarity fund (FSL), the town hall of your municipality and many other organizations, because depending on your profile, you can claim one or more financial aids.