Moving to a new home means more than packing boxes — it includes making sure your mail follows you. This guide explains how tenants and renters in Newfoundland and Labrador can forward mail, update important accounts, and reduce the risk of missed bills or legal notices. You’ll find step-by-step actions for Canada Post forwarding, tips for notifying landlords, employers and government programs, and what to do with mail addressed to a former address after you vacate. The advice is practical for renters preparing to move out or already between residences and focuses on easy, tenant-friendly steps you can complete before and after you leave.
How mail forwarding works in Newfoundland and Labrador
When you move, Canada Post offers a mail forwarding service that redirects mail from your old address to a new one; set-up can be online or at a post office and fees may apply[1]. Forwarding helps reduce missed bills, replacement ID delays, or missed official notices, but it does not replace notifying agencies and account holders directly. Tenants should plan both a forwarding request and a list of people and services to notify.
- Set up Canada Post forwarding online or at a post office before your move date[1].
- Update your bank, credit card and billing accounts so payments and statements go to the right address.
- Contact your landlord and, if applicable, the incoming tenant to confirm final billing and mail handling arrangements.
- Keep records of forwarding confirmations, receipts and any change-of-address confirmations for at least a few months.
Setting up Canada Post forwarding
Choose whether you want temporary or long-term forwarding and pick a start date that covers the day you vacate. If you set up online, you will receive a confirmation; if you visit a post office, keep the receipt. Forwarding does not update government or private records automatically, so follow up with each organization directly.
- Pick a start date and duration that cover your move-out and the weeks after you leave.
- Complete the online form or the paper form at the post office and save the confirmation.
- Pay any forwarding fees and check for options like family or business forwarding if needed.
Notifying key organizations
Forwarding helps, but tenants should also notify these parties directly to avoid lost notices or legal consequences:
- Your landlord or property manager about your new contact details and final billing.
- Financial institutions and utility providers to ensure automatic payments move with you.
- Government bodies like provincial health, motor registration, and the Canada Revenue Agency.
If you are moving out of a rental, follow any move-out steps in your lease and consider reviewing Moving Out Tips: A Tenant''s Guide to a Smooth Rental Exit and The Final Inspection: What Tenants Need to Know Before Moving Out to coordinate forwarding with your final inspection and deposit return process.
FAQ
- How long does Canada Post forward mail?
- Canada Post offers several forwarding durations; check their service options when you sign up and choose one that matches how long you expect to need redirection[1].
- Do I still need to tell my landlord my new address?
- Yes. Tell your landlord your forwarding address so they can send final bills, the security deposit statement, or other tenancy-related documents directly to you.
- What happens to mail addressed to the previous tenant?
- If mail arrives for a former tenant, return it to sender or mark it "Not at this address" and, if it continues, notify Canada Post and the sender so they can update records.
How-To
- Make a list of accounts and services to notify, prioritizing banks, utilities, government programs and subscription services.
- Set up Canada Post forwarding online or at a post office and save the confirmation[1].
- Inform your landlord of your forwarding address and confirm arrangements for final mail or outstanding charges.
- Update provincial accounts like health and motor registration through Service NL or the appropriate provincial portal[3].
- Contact any senders of important legal or financial notices directly to confirm they have your new address.
- Keep records of confirmations and check forwarded mail for a few months to catch missed senders.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Board - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Housing and Consumer Links
- Service NL - Change of address and provincial services
