2.1. The Postcode Address File (PAF) is maintained by Royal Mail under Section 116 of the Postal Services Act 2000.

2.2. As part of their commitment, Royal Mail will allocate a postcode to each address submitted to them by the local authority. Royal Mail is then obliged to make the necessary address changes to its Postal Address File (PAF).

2.3. Royal Mail accept no responsibility for use of the postal address for any purpose other than delivery of mail by themselves.

2.4. Royal Mail will not officially recognize an address, and consequently not assign a post code, until they have been officially informed of its existence by the local authority. Therefore, failure to inform the Council of any new development or address change may mean that any details will not be passed on to other organizations. This may result in possible difficulties obtaining essential services, receiving mail and ordering from internet-based companies.

2.5. Royal Mail does not publish on its website addresses of properties that are not completed and/or occupied. This means that in certain cases, addresses that have been notified by the Council may not, for a while, be visible to anyone using the Royal Mail website. This may also mean that other organisations using the PAF will also not be able to confirm addresses.

2.6. In practice, on notification from the Council of a new property, Royal Mail will hold this address on a ‘Not Yet Built’ database to avoid problems with undelivered mail. Therefore, if the new occupier is experiencing difficulties, they should contact Royal Mail to confirm activation of the address.

2.7. The delivery of items by third party companies is solely dependent upon the accuracy of the addresses that they hold, this information being purchased initially from Royal Mail. Therefore, any complaints relating to the delivery of goods should be directed to the relevant delivery company and not the Council.