We would recommend that arrangements are made to re-direct your mail either to a relative or friend, with instructions that they are to send us any important items that require prompt attention or settlement.

The Post office offers two relatively secure schemes for this purpose and the cost is affordable.

The following questions and answers are supplied by Royal Mail.

Royal Mail – Mail Redirection

Q. What is the Home Redirections service?

A. When you move home, whether temporarily or permanently, Royal Mail Home Redirections service will forward mail from your old address to your new one.

Q. How long does the service last?

A. You can choose to redirect your mail for anything from one month to two years.

Q. Can I redirect mail from anywhere?

A. Royal Mail can redirect your mail from most UK address to any other UK or overseas address, including British Forces and PO Box addresses. They can only redirect mail from an address you’ve actually lived at. Redirecting mail without proper authority is a criminal offence. They do not redirect mail from a multiple occupancy residences e.g. hotels, guesthouses, nursing homes, colleges or similar accommodation.

You can apply online or download the application form at Royal Mail website

Royal Mail- Keepsafe

If you’re going away for a short while, Keepsafe™ helps you avoid that tell-tale pile of unopened mail on your doormat. We can hold your mail for up to two months, and deliver it when you ask us to. All we need from you is a week’s notice to set up the service, the names of all the people in the house whose mail you want holding, and a small fee – for example, two weeks use of Keepsafe costs around £5.55.

Key features

• One fee per household, as long as you give us all the names and signatures of everyone at the address who wants their mail held – at the same time
• If you return early from your trip, just send us a written cancellation note and your mail will arrive with the next delivery
• Also available to sole traders working from home

You can apply online or download the application form at the Royal Mail website