Property Naming and Numbering

Registering or Changing the Name of a Property

If you wish to rename your property or assign a name to a new build, you must complete a Property Naming Form and return it to Development Management  with the relevant fee and any supporting information requested on the form. The application form and fee details are available in the ‘Related Downloads’ section of this page.

In Towns and Villages

Properties within towns and villages are typically built on new land allocated for housing, or on infill land, large gardens, or the site of demolished buildings. These properties will:

• Be numbered within an existing sequence where possible.
• Use letter suffixes (e.g. 16A) if necessary.
• Inherit the previous number if built on the site of a demolished property.

You may add a house name to your postal address, but it cannot replace the street number, which must always be used and displayed. This is enforceable under Section 97 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

For new developments, properties should be numbered during the Street Naming and Numbering process, which involves the developer, the local Community Council, and Royal Mail.

In the Countryside

In rural areas, properties are generally named rather than numbered.

What Happens After You Submit a Property Naming Form

Once we receive your completed with the relevant fee and any supporting information requested on the form, we will:

1. Check for Duplicates
   We will verify the proposed name against our database to ensure it is not already in use in the local area.
2. Update the Council’s Address Gazetteer
   If approved, the name will be added to the Council’s Corporate Address Gazetteer, and a Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) will be created or updated.
3. Register with Royal Mail
   We will contact Royal Mail to confirm the correct postcode and post town, and ensure the new name is added to their database.
4. Provide Written Confirmation
   You will receive written confirmation once the name has been accepted and registered.

Note: It is the property owner's responsibility to notify all relevant parties (e.g. utility companies, banks, insurers) of the new or changed address.

Important Considerations

• The chosen name must not be similar to any existing names in the immediate area. We will carry out checks and provide guidance if needed.
• If a property name has not been officially registered, it may not appear in our checks. In such cases, if another owner registers the same name first, their registration will take precedence.

How Long Does It Take?

The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, although this can be subject to delays outside the control of the Council. We recommend submitting your application well in advance of first occupation of the property.

Please note that while Royal Mail will update their database promptly, other organisations (e.g. insurance, media, IT companies) may take longer to reflect the changes in their systems.

Royal Mail

Royal Mail is responsible for issuing new postcodes. However, they will only do so at the request of the Council.

You can check if your property is registered or search for postcodes on the Royal Mail website, available in the ‘Related Sites’ section of this page.

For enquiries or complaints about postcodes or mail delivery, contact:

Royal Mail Customer Services
Freepost, RM1 1AA
Phone: 08457 740 740

Naming and Numbering of New Developments

Developers or agents should contact Development Management as early as possible to begin the road naming process. Please include:

• A plan showing the roads requiring names.
• Any name suggestions, with reasons for the choices.

If the development includes new roads, the relevant Community Council will be consulted. This process can take several weeks, so early engagement is advised.

Important: Developers should not assign unofficial marketing names before Council approval. Legal and administrative issues can arise if buyers are misled by names that differ from the official ones.