A UK traveler selling their inherited house to travel long-term faces a practical problem: where should their bank address be when they don't have a UK home? The dilemma highlights challenges nomads face with banks that won't accept PO boxes, concerns about putting relatives' addresses down, and the hidden administrative barriers to location-independent life.
Posting to r/digitalnomad, the traveler explained their situation: after years as a live-in carer for their father, he passed away in 2024. The inherited house is now sold, and they're finally pursuing long-delayed travel plans. But without a UK home, where should their bank address be?
The options seem limited:
1. Use a sibling's address — but what are the legal implications? 2. Get a virtual mailbox service — but will banks accept it?
Both options create complications.
The Sibling Address Problem
Using a relative's address isn't illegal, but it creates potential issues:
Council tax: UK local councils charge based on occupancy. If mail suggests someone else lives at the address, it could trigger questions about whether the property should be taxed as multi-occupant.
Electoral roll: Registering to vote at an address where you don't live is technically illegal (though rarely enforced for mail-only registration).
Credit applications: If you apply for credit using your sibling's address, lenders may contact residents to verify you live there, creating awkward situations.
Insurance implications: Your sibling's home insurance might be affected if they're receiving mail for a non-resident.
One commenter noted: "My brother let me use his address and it was fine until he tried to remortgage and the bank asked why someone else had credit cards registered there."
The Virtual Mailbox Problem
Services that scan and forward mail seem perfect for nomads, but UK banks often reject them. regulations require banks to verify customers' residential addresses, and many for individuals (though they accept them for businesses).
