Most addresses can be targeted easily using the house number or name and the postcode. Unfortunately some are less easy. The following rules are not set in stone, but they work very well and will help you target unusual addresses.

Rule 1. Keep it simple–minimal input to achieve maximum returns
By using the three key elements of an address you stand a better chance of targeting it than if you input the entire address.

The key elements are.
1. House number/house name/flat number
2. Street/Building name
3. Town

Rule 2. A house number initially overrules a house name and flat number

In the above example the House name,City and County details are all unnecessary.

Rule 3. When there are multiple numbers – think like the postman – ask yourself: which letter box? Use this as the house number.

In the example below, Mrs Julie Rowland lives at flat 2 of City House. When entering her address details, 157 and Derby Road are unnecessary. A postman would know that letters need to go through the letter box at 2, City House, Derby Road, Basford. Therefore the three important address elements are the flat number 2, the building name City House and the town Basford

Rule 4. London addresses must have the first part of the postcode. On most of the systems we use you can miss out the town name and type the first part of the postcode in the town field.

Rule 5. A street may not always be a street! You will sometimes need to put a house name into a street field.

Rule 6. Some rural addresses have many elements but actually only require 2 key elements.

In the example below the address can be targeted using just the House Name and Locality

And in this example the address can be targeted using the House Name and Postcode

Still not able to target an address? Give the Verifile Services team a call on 01234 834 673.