Numbering of properties

Before a property is given a number, any proposals must be received in writing by email to: 
 address.management@nfdc.gov.uk or by letter to: 

Address Management
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA.  

All properties within a numbered street must always retain and display the street number as part of the address.  

Property or business names will only be an addition to the address.

All properties within new developments which involve a new street will be numbered.  

It is the responsibility of the developer, and once occupied, the owner, to display a street number.

Properties in a street will be numbered with odd numbers to the left and even numbers to the right except for a cul-de-sac when consecutive numbers in a clockwise direction may be appropriate.  

Numbering will commence from the main access.

Number 13 will be omitted unless requested.

Properties (including those on corner sites) are numbered according to the street in which the main entrance is located.

When numbering new properties into existing streets and all street numbers have been already allocated, numbers followed by letters will be used if necessary, such as 1A, 1B, 1C.  

This is to avoid renumbering existing properties.  

If, however, the quantity of the numbers and letters for the new properties are considered to lead to confusion in their location it may become necessary to renumber some or all of the existing properties within the street.

A multiple property building (such as flats) will be addressed on the street where the main entrance is located.  

Flats will be numbered internally within the named or numbered building from the ground floor upwards.  

If the building has entrances in more than one street, each flat will be addressed into the appropriate street.  

Annexes to buildings (such as granny flats, ancillary accommodation or holiday lets) will not be officially registered with Royal Mail.

Where a property has been officially numbered the number must be displayed and it may be a criminal offence not to do so. 

We will notify Council Tax and Electoral Services, Royal Mail, Ordnance Survey and Emergency Services of the new number.  

The property owner is responsible for notifying Land Registry.

Renumbering of existing properties

Wherever possible, renumbering of properties will be avoided. This will only be undertaken by us in exceptional circumstances.

This could include if there is no possibility of using the suffixes A, B, C for additional properties to be added to a street, as set out above or if illogical or misleading numbering is in use.

Where a property has been officially renumbered the number must be displayed and it may be a criminal offence for the owner/occupier not to do so. 

We will notify Council Tax and Electoral Services, Royal Mail, Ordnance Survey and Emergency Services of the new number.  

The property owner is responsible for notifying Land Registry.