Neighbours have numbered their house…

[UprootedSunflower]

Not with the post office formally, just decided it’s awkward to have a name instead of a number and started using it.

No houses here have numbers and never have. All named from before the area was built up.

It’s really really annoying as they have named themselves ‘one’ but they are set well back from the road and have a high gate/ alley to enter. Mine is the first obvious house front at the end of the road. So I get their post a lot.

It also makes delivery drivers get angry- no one else has numbers, like we should, or knock constantly to ask which end of the road number one is (most houses are set back so it’s me who gets the brunt).

Ive tried talking about it, but they are determined houses need numbers and it’s easier. I’ve tried stopping the postman, but it’s constant agency staff changing over.

So… I started simply marking anything through my door with the made up address and not our names ‘not at this address’ and popping it back in the post box. Aibu? They have got really cross!

They are the kind of people who order constant parcels and get post still

I don't either.

The neighbours could use the correct address, apply to change the address or use 3 word location stuff.

The Op labeled her location clearly to drivers even put up a sign about no 1 - and informed her neighbour they are causing a problem for her.

As far as I can see they are CF unconcerned about causing the OP problems and until they are impacted won't make any changes needed.

It’s not their role no.

But if they want to do something, then it should be reasonable.

They can’t do something proactive that’s incorrect and want the high ground of being reasonable.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Especially when the OP is actively interfering and providing incorrect information about someone’s address. (Misdelivered is correct, not known at this address written on the cover is not).

I think it's up to them to create a big sign to get deliveries to their address. Anything that comes to you, either decline if it's a parcel delivery without further comment or not known at this address and sent back. You've been reasonable and patient - they haven't been

And often no street name either.

And even those renting off them don't always get numbers either. Around thirty years ago I was renting a flat just outside Wakefield. The address was

The Clocktower
Heath Hall
Heath

We also live in a village with names and not numbers, and our house isn't visible from the main road. Twenty years ago it was a pain, but less so now. Delivery drivers seem to have Sat nav down to the nearest millimetre and once they have found us the first time they seem to update their systems. Amazon and all the major couriers deliver with no issues regardless of driver.

So my advice is probably not what you want to hear, but could you grit your teeth and help the drivers out in the short term? If they learn where the house is and update their systems you will have fewer issues in future. As for Royal Mail - don't write not known at this address. Instead write the correct one so that the connection gets made.

It's not about being reasonable. It's about what will work.

Postie here.

If they haven't formally added the 1 to their address (which actually needs to be done via the local council who then inform Royal Mail. Once RM have updates their systems it eventually filters through to everyone else!) then the correct procedure would be to write "no such address, return to sender" and return either to the Postie or postbox.

It's probably also worth dropping an email to customer services who will pass on the the delivery office and hopefully update the staff covering the delivery to stop them delivering things labelled No 1 to you.

https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/webforms/contact/c/310

Personally I would choose a house name and number as below

Persons name
House name
Village
Postcode

You shouldn't have to do anything though! Weird that they are putting the blame on you.

How is their post being marked to house 1?

I get it if it's a hand written address, card, etc but parcels, don't you have to select from Royal Mail recognised options?

I would put it back on the post box without writing anything on it. I know that means you'll keep getting it and have to keep doing it, but otherwise it's not clear to RM what the issue is.

Like, if I live at number 10 This Street and a letter is misdelivered that's for number 10 That Street, my recourse is either to go over to That Street and hand deliver (which I normally would) or pop it back in the post box (which I would if I was getting loads).

That way, eventually, RM will see all the same post again and again and wonder why and hopefully address it! (No pun intended!)

You can't do much about delivery drivers, just say "that's not this house, I'm not taking parcels for them, sorry".

I think you've been extremely reasonable to put their post back in a postbox labelled as misdelivered. Plenty of people would just chuck it in the bin as the neighbours have created the problem. Yes, I know destroying post is wrong....

As long as they inform the post office, they are within their rights. I don't blame them for numbering their house, good for them.

Could you put a sign up saying "we are not number 1" or a box on your front and just throw all their mail in for them to collect when they want. I think I'd do that, just leave it on your doorstep. They are batshit

No, there are quite a few rural areas or small villages that do not have numbered houses. Some places do not have any numbered houses at all.

Not to mention Land Registry, no one in the UK can just change names and numbers of houses because they feel like it, there are proper procedures to follow....

Not sure if someone has mentioned but you need to contact your street naming and numbering department with your local council. The post office don’t allocate addresses, they do. They will be able to sort this issues for you. It’s a problem as it causes confusion especially in the event of an emergency if emergency services are trying to locate properties.

Just to add, I used to be a street naming and numbering officer so this is definitely the correct process.

You need to talk to your local council, not the post office. The council are responsible for numbering and name streets.

Aww. Shame

Say. I can’t keep answering the door to delivery drivers whilst I’ve got so and so to do. It’s not fair on myself. I tried to talk to you about it but you stood fast and so have i

thsnk you.

That’s it.

Ooh. Can I ask a side question - do people who now have a brand new road name have to apply that way for a road sign?

That is epic!!!!

just rinse and repeat. These people you just need to keep saying the same thing

im sorry but I cannot keep taking such a huge amount of time out of my day to deal with your deliveries. I suggest you find an alternative way of getting your post delivered

and so and so and so and so….

same thing. Constantly. Broken record

Yes a brand new road name definitely needs to go through the street naming and numbering process with your council!! This is really important for all sorts of reasons.

you know what you have to do don't you

you need to get a large number 2 and place by your front door

no other explanation needed then - as any delivery driver can see it says number 2 and they can't leave it at number two if its for number 1

Well they’re not called grumpyman for nothing 😁

There’s your answer

im sorry but it’s taken so much time out of my work that I’ve really had to cut back on how many times I can answer my door

i suggest you find something alternative for your deliveries like a PO Box?

You are mistaken, that's not how it works in the UK.