I refer to the letter entitled ‘Unnecessary hassle’ by Mary Fisher (The Sunday Times of Malta, May 13). 

All properties involved in a door numbering exercise individually receive an envelope containing an official letter, self-adhesive door numbers and an information leaflet. Door numbering exercises are carried out to facilitate the delivery of mail, in case of emergencies and for those providing a service. The door numbering unit receives requests for door numbering directly from local councils or from the residents themselves.

Residents need to comply with the law by permanently affixing the new number in a visible place and by removing any previous door numbers within 10 days from receipt of the notice. Only the new door number should be affixed.  

Following this, residents are urged, if this is their place of residence, to change their Identity Card/eResidence Card to reflect their new address as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience. No pressure is exerted on residents to substitute their IDCard/eResidence Card within 10 days. However, they are urged to do so at the earliest for their own benefit.

These changes are also reflected on the Electoral Register and the ID Cards system but residents would need to substitute their Identity Card in order for the change to take effect.

Moreover, the Electoral Office recommends that a person should inform those entities providing any type of service, such as hospitals, banks, schools and place of work about the change.

Local councils are provided with forms specifically for this purpose, which have to be filled in and mailed in business reply envelopes provided.

Door numbering exercises are carried out on site by a team of two officers before drafting and checking operations for publication in the Government Gazette. Later they deliver the respective envelopes to each property involved. All notices published in the Government Gazette are available on the office’s website.