Address Base Premium and Address Queries

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Last updated: Aug 08, 2023 by RPT Admin (Unlicensed)Version comment
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Address Base Premium is the Ordnance Survey's national address database, and is used by RoS as the basis of the browser/gazetteer in both the LRS and the mapping systems.

Address Base Premium is based on the Royal Mail's postal delivery database, Postcode Address File (PAF). PAF is used by the Royal Mail to sort and deliver mail. Each address is given an Ordnance Survey Address-Point Reference (OSAPR). The OSAPR is a unique 18-character reference that, when matched to National Grid co-ordinates, can be used to identify/find a property/address on the map.

MBM are responsible for importing Address-Point data on to the mapping systems, and this data is updated every three months.

Useful Links

Property Indexing Guidelines

P98 Requisitions


Querying an address on the Gazetteer

Previously the P104 form was used however this has been removed from use. Any examples of discrepancies in the gazetteer (not the map) should now be referred to MBM by email at mapbasemaintenance@ros.gov.uk . If the discrepancy is with the address data shown on the OS map, see the section on P98 requisitions.

The email subject line should follow the style - "Address gazetteer anomalies (P104) – title number".

Examples of address irregularities that may be reported:

1. Street name not in Gazetteer

2. House name not in Gazetteer

3. House number not in Gazetteer

4. Incorrect house name format e.g. 1/1, 1E

5. Discrepancy in spelling of street between Ordnance Map and Gazetteer

6. Discrepancy in spelling of house name between Ordnance Map and Gazetteer

7. Multi occupancy flats where only one Gazetteer entry exists for two or more properties

Please check the One Scotland Gazetteer first as this will have the most up to date position on the address.


Address query decision tree

Registers of Scotland (RoS) seeks to ensure that the information published in the 2012 Act Registration Manual is up to date and accurate but it may be amended from time to time.
The Manual is an internal document intended for RoS staff only. The information in the Manual does not constitute legal or professional advice and RoS cannot accept any liability for actions arising from its use.
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