If you’re like me, you know that there are very few things in this world more exciting than administration. Make sure that things are properly organized, that appointments are properly scheduled, and if you’re moving, that you have switched your address in all the proper places.
So exciting!
But, it’s also challenging to know where to start and to make sure that you don’t miss any important places.
So, to make it easier for you, we have created this comprehensive list to help you keep track of who you need to notify when you change addresses.
Your first stop should be at the post office
If you’re younger than 30 you may not be aware of what a post office is. It’s the building where you mail letters from. Ask your grandparents what a letter is. But, most likely, you can avoid waiting in line by vising the Canada Post website.
The reason that you should start there is that you can ask the post office to forward all of your mail to your new address for an entire year. That way you won’t miss getting bills!
Your new space is going to be awesome. You are likely already dreaming about the dinner parties you’ll hold and watching the big game on the huge TV you’re going to buy.
But, you won’t be doing any of that if you don’t have gas and hydro, now, will you?
The minute you know your new address and move-in date, you should notify the gas and hydro company. At the same time, you should arrange for the utilities to be shut off from your old home. Do so by calling the companies directly.
If you forget to do this, then you should probably buy a lot of candles and blankets.
Everyone loves insurance, right? Well, do we have good news for you. You’re going to get to buy more of it!
You’re going to need to get insurance as a condition of most rental leases. So, you’ll need to get on this fast.
You may believe that the government is spying on you all the time. It’s easy to make that mistake. Uncle Todd’s Facebook post about it was very convincing, after all.
The truth is that they aren’t though. Well, unless you’re up to no good, but we’re all cool here so that’s not a worry. Right?
Anyway, you’re going to need to change your address with the government. Go to Canada.ca for the federal government and your province’s website for provincial needs.
No.
No, you can’t. You’d miss the new season of Stranger Things. So, you’ll need to notify your cable and internet providers, so the streaming good times can go on.
Additionally, you’ll need to let your phone company know, so you can look at it instead of watching the program you selected.
You probably are boring your co-workers with stories about your new space. The way to tell if they aren’t listening is to look them in the eyes. If the lights have gone out, you should change the subject.
However, you do need to formally tell your employer so that they can get you T4 slips, and pay stubs, and so they can find you in an emergency. Talk to your HR department.
Since we all live in the 2020s, most of our banking needs are on our phones or laptop. However, it’s still important to have a proper address on their file, as well as with other financial services that you have.
Don’t worry. You can do that online.
I’m sure the next people that move into your old place are lovely, but you should let them buy their own magazines.
Change the address they are sending them to, so you can keep enjoying learning about the ancient ruins in Lima, Peru with your monthly Nat Geo hit.
The next time you find a pair of Batman slippers that YOU MUST HAVE while browsing online at 3 am, you’ll want to make sure that it arrives at the correct address.
You take some time to go to sites like Amazon or eBay and change the address. And, yes, you do need to get a Batman t-shirt to go with the slippers.
Also, the charity and organizations that you donate to or belong to. You’ll want to make sure you don’t miss any important mailings from them, nor do you want to miss out on getting their tax receipt to inform them of your move, so they know where to reach you when they send mail your way.
This article can act as a checklist to ensure you don’t forget to change your address with any relevant parties.
The great news is that you get to do all this administration on top of the already exciting move that you are making!
