Hold Mail Services Explained – How to Pause and Forward Your Mail
If you're moving house, going on an extended holiday, or just need a break from your mailbox, you probably wondered how to stop letters from piling up. That’s where a hold mail service comes in. It lets you tell the post office to keep your mail safe for a set period and either store it or forward it to a new address. This simple step can save you missed bills, unwanted junk, and the stress of a full mailbox when you’re not around.
What Is a Hold Mail Service?
A hold mail service is a temporary suspension of delivery to your normal address. The post office collects any letters, parcels, and flyers that would normally land in your box and holds them in a secure location. When the hold period ends, they either drop everything back at your original address or send it to a new address you specify. In the UK, Royal Mail offers a free online service that lets you set the start and end dates, up to 30 days in one go.
When Should You Use Hold Mail?
There are three common times people use hold mail:
- Moving homes. While your items are in transit, you don’t want important letters landing at a vacant property.
- Long vacations or work trips. If you’re away for weeks, a full mailbox can attract thieves or cause overflow.
- Renovations or temporary relocations. When you’re living somewhere else for a few weeks, forwarding mail to your new address keeps everything in one place.
Even short stays can benefit from holding mail, especially if you receive regular deliveries like subscriptions or utility bills.
Setting up a hold is quick. Go to the Royal Mail website, log in, and fill out a short form with your postcode, the dates you need the hold, and an optional forwarding address. You’ll get a confirmation email, and the post office will start holding mail at midnight on the start date. If you need to change the dates, you can edit the request up to 24 hours before the start date.
For businesses, a hold mail service works the same way, but you’ll want to inform suppliers and customers ahead of time. A quick email saying "We’re on hold from 1 May to 15 May – please forward any urgent shipments to our temporary address" cuts down on missed orders.
When you’re using a removal company like Dex Removals & Logistics Services, we can coordinate your mail hold with the moving schedule. We’ll let you know the best date to start the hold so your items and your mail arrive together. If you need mail forwarded to your new home, we can even pick it up from the post office and drop it off at your new address, saving you a trip.
Here are a few practical tips to make the most of a hold mail service:
- Set the hold a few days before you leave – this ensures any last‑minute letters are captured.
- Check your online mailbox or bank alerts before you travel – you might need to pay a bill that won’t wait.
- Use the forwarding option if you’ll be at a different address for a while.
- Notify any subscription services of your temporary address to avoid interruptions.
- When the hold ends, be ready to collect your stored mail or have someone receive it for you.
Overall, a hold mail service is a low‑cost, low‑effort way to keep your post safe while you’re away. It prevents missed deliveries, protects your home from a visible overflow of mail, and gives you peace of mind. If you’re moving or planning a long trip, set up a hold today and let us at Dex Removals handle the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
March 23, 2025
Evelyn Wescott
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Have you ever wondered if USPS can hold your mail for just one day? While it might seem trivial, this question has practical implications for planning quick getaways or managing overflowing mailboxes. Knowing the ins and outs of USPS's hold mail procedures can save both time and hassle, ensuring your deliveries are handled efficiently.
