Local authorities in England and Wales have a statutory duty to:
- name streets within their borough.
- number/name properties in those streets
The local authority is responsible for naming and numbering, but only Royal Mail can assign postcodes.
Organisations such as the Land Registry or Royal Mail and other Council departments, such as Planning or Council Tax, do not have the legislative powers to create or allocate property names/numbers or street names. Therefore, all naming and numbering enquiries should be sent to SNN@harrow.gov.uk.
Utility companies will not provide services until an address is registered with the Royal Mail. For large developments, we recommend that you submit an application early in the development stage.
A definitive national address database verifies the existence of addresses. This information is shared with internal council services. These include Council Tax, Electoral Services, School admissions, Bins & Waste and many more.
Address information is also shared and used externally, such as Royal Mail and emergency services, broadband providers, delivery services.
It is important that the information we hold is accurate and up to date.
What is a Street Naming and Numbering application required for?
A Street Naming and Numbering application is required to do any of the following:
- Name/number a new development
- Name/number a new build
- Name/number a converted property
- Re-name/number an existing property
- Remove an address of a demolished property
- Obtain a certificate of an official address
If you don't follow the rules for naming and numbering streets, you could face legal action. This is under Section 15 of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939.
Who should apply?
Only the legal owner of the property/land can apply for Street Naming and Numbering. We may request proof of ownership, such as Land Registry Deeds.
Adding a name or changing a name of a building
To add or change an existing name you will need to complete a Street Naming and Numbering application, providing a minimum of 2 names.
All names must go through a 28-day consultation with Royal Mail and Emergency Services.
Please ensure you read the Street Naming and Numbering Guidance.
How we assign names and numbers
There are different legislations that guide local authorities on how streets and building must be named/numbered:
- London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939 – Part 2
- London Government Act 1963, Section 43
- Local Government Act 1985 (Schedule 8, 14(1))
Street Naming and Numbering fees
Below are the fees for applications made between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
You will need to make the payment online. Choose option 'Highways' - 'Street/House Name/No.'
Please provide the reference number you have been provided and/or the property address of the application.
Application types and fees
- Application for renaming an existing road with properties: £320.00 plus £50.00 per property
- Naming or renaming of house / block of flats / commercial premises: £300.00
- Creation of a new road: £300.00
- Numbering: 1-5 units: £265.00 per unit
- Numbering: 6-20 units: £45.00 per unit
- Numbering: 21-50 units: £50.00 per unit
- Numbering: 51 - 75 units: £55.00 per unit
- Numbering over 75 units: £65.00 per unit
- Certificate of naming/numbering/historic documents: £141.20
Please note, when numbering more than 5 units, the fees are still calculated £265 x 5 for the first 5 units and so on.
Click to view the following examples:
Before you apply
Before applying for street naming/numbering, please read our SNN policy document and Naming and Numbering Building Regulations document. These outline how and why we name/number and what your obligations as the owner/occupier/developer are.
Apply for street name or numbering
To apply for street naming or numbering:
- complete the online application form
- ensure the details you have provided are accurate
- ensure you have provided your planning reference number (if applicable)
- ensure you have included the requested documentation (site plan, floor plan)
- submit your online application form
If you have not obtained planning approval, we will not be able to process your application. See Apply for Planning Permission.
What happens next?
After you submit your application:
- We will confirm receipt of your application
- We will review your application, and you will get an email either accepting or rejecting it
- If accepted, we will send you payment instructions
- You must pay online using the reference number you are given after submitting your application. Applications will not be processed until full payment is received.
- If a consultation is required, we will check your proposed names for duplication
- If no duplication, the 28-day consultation will be sent out to all Consultees
- We will contact you once all responses have been received to advise on the outcome
- If all proposed names are rejected, we will request new names, and the 28-day consultation will begin again
- If the proposed names are accepted, we will contact you to confirm your preferred name
- We will complete the naming and numbering
- If new postcodes are required, we will contact Royal Mail to confirm the correct postcode. Extra time should be allowed for this process.
- We will add the new addresses to our LLPG (Local Land and Property Gazetteer)
- We will complete the Confirmation Notice and, if required, Plot to Postal document and send these to you and all notifiable parties
- All notifiable parties will add the new addresses to their databases, please note Royal Mail will add the addresses to their Not Yet Built (NYB) database, unless they are already existing addresses.
- You must notify Royal Mail when the new properties/units are completed and request the addresses are made live. You can contact them at Report an incorrect or missing address.
Council Tax
The Council Tax department are informed of all new addresses.
All new addresses are added to their database and bills will be calculated and sent out.
Street Naming and Numbering do not deal with Council Tax bills or enquiries.
For more information, see Council Tax.