Please click on one of the four online form options below:
1. Click on the below link to apply to change a property name:
Application for Property Naming - Change name
2. Click on the below link to register a property that has not been built yet:
Application for Property Naming - Not yet built
3. Click on the below link to register an existing property (Or to report incorrect details):
Application for Property Naming - Existing building
4. Click on the below link to register the name of a completed new build property:
Application for Property Naming - New build
The Shetland Islands Council is responsible for maintaining a list of all Shetland addresses known as the Corporate Address Gazetteer (CAG) this is then uploaded to the National Street Gazetteer, referred to as the 'One Scotland' Gazetteer, a list of all addresses in Scotland.
The council also notifies the Royal Mail of new addresses and changes. Registering addresses for single and multiple housing schemes, new builds, existing builds, change of name and NYB (not yet built) properties.
Property Naming and Numbering
Property numbering/naming is an important aspect of everyone’s life as it allows the properties at which we live and work to have mail delivered, be identified easily, and be found quickly by doctors and emergency services.
The Council works closely with Royal Mail whilst carrying out its street property numbering/naming function. This is due to some main elements of an address being the responsibility of Royal Mail.
Where a property number cannot be used as an identifier, it will need a name. This is not covered by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and the responsibility for the name lies with the owner of the property.
To request a property name use one of the four online forms found here
Address Registration – Shetland Islands Council.
Before you complete and submit your online application you should make sure that you have completed the correct online form, included the necessary information and attached a location or site plan of your property to ensure that we can process your application without additional delay.
When submitted, application could take up to 4 weeks to be processed or updated and registered with the Royal Mail. The address will also be added to or updated on the Council’s Address Gazetteer. At his point we will inform all associated services, these include Local Taxation, Assessors, Building Standards, Roads Service, and Ordnance Survey Scotland.
Below are guidelines to follow so your application can proceed without delay.
Guidelines for Property Naming
A number is always the prime identifier for a property, if a name is added, to an existing house with a number, the number will not be removed, if numbering is not available then use these guidelines below when selecting a name.
- Avoid using names that would cause confusion or be considered rude, obscene and racist or contravene any aspect of the council’s equal opportunities polices.
- Don’t use special symbols or replace any letters with numbers.
- Words should be spelt using English versions of Scots Gaelic or foreign words using standard characters on the UK version of the QWERTY keyboard.
- Do not use a name that would repeat in any part of the address or when giving the address over the telephone, this is a particular problem with emergency call takers with callers using repeated words.
- Do not use names or surnames, see above point regards repeated words.
- Do not use prefixes like “The”.
- Avoid names that have already been used within the local area, avoid the same name with a different suffix or prefix i.e. naming a house “Chapel House” or “The Chapel” that’s in the same locality as a house called “Chapel Cottage”.
Any request for a house name that contravenes Naming & Numbering guidelines will be rejected. However, in exceptional circumstances, and so as not to fetter its discretion, the Council reserves the right to depart from any aspect of this guidance.
- The Planning application reference or Building Warrant number should be obtainable via our Planning and Building Standards search page. https://pa.shetland.gov.uk/online-applications/
- Maps can be obtained online from various commercial providers, search for 'planning application maps'
- The Address Registration process can take approximately 14 days from day of submission. The Royal Mail will add your new/amended details on to its database once we have confirmed the process is complete. However, please be aware that it may take other companies longer to update their own address databases
- CAG address entries are added to the One Scotland Gazetteer every month
- If you are registering a new street then this process will take longer as the relevant Community Council will need to be notified along with the National Street Gazetteer
- You can check if your address has been successfully registered with the Royal Mail and at the One Scotland Gazetteer