Changing Broadband when Moving House

Written by Ashleigh Williams Reviewed by Dave Sayce

10th Nov 2022 (Last updated on 13th Mar 2024) 12 minute read

Staying With The Same Broadband Provider When Moving Home

If you’re viewing houses and looking to move home, it’s likely you’ll want to stay with the same broadband provider. If you’re happy with your current provider, it’s often easier to stay with them when moving home. The same applies if you're having an office relocation so it's vital you arrange this in advance for business continuity.

Changing broadband providers can be difficult. You will likely be without internet for a period of time, and you may need to pay an exit fee to your current provider.

Here are the steps to take to find out if you can stay with your current provider:

1. Check They Operate in Your Area

Before you move into a new house, you'll want to ensure your broadband provider operates in your area. In most instances, they will. But, if you’re moving a significant distance, or somewhere remote, they may not.

You will need to check your address before moving to ensure there's coverage in the new area. If the company operates there, you should be able to change the service to your new home.

You can check the broadband coverage in an area by using Ofcom’s mobile and broadband checker. This is a useful postcode checker.

2. Check if You Can Keep Your Contract/Package

If you want to keep your current contract, you will need to speak to your current broadband provider. They will be able to tell you whether you can keep your current contract and package.

3. Check How Long You Have Left on Your Contract

Before moving, it’s always useful to check how long left you have on your contract. This will help decide whether to cancel your contract before moving or to take it with you.

If you are part way through your contract, you may not want to cancel it. If you only have a month or two left, you may find a better deal if you cancel your current contract and compare new ones.

4. Check other deals from other suppliers

If you cancel your broadband, it’s worthwhile browsing other suppliers before choosing a new contract.

Broadband providers run deals often, especially for new customers. You may be able to take advantage of this. These deals can typically be found on the broadband provider’s website

Moving Your Broadband to Your New Home

Here are the steps to follow if you’re moving your broadband to your new home:

1. Provide Your Supplier With Your Moving Date

When you’re moving you need to provide your supplier with your moving date. This allows them to cancel the supply to your current house and set up the supply for your new home.

It’s better to let your broadband know of these changes in advance to give them enough time to amend your contract.

If you provide too little notice, you'll likely be without internet for a period of time after moving. They may also charge for this.

2. Install Your Internet

After you’ve moved into your home, you'll need to install your internet. This process will change depending on your supplier. We have discussed the steps to follow for the most popular internet providers below.

To set up your own internet connection, plug in your router and contact the internet supplier to inform them. Virgin Media provide QuickStart self-installation packs allowing you to set up your own internet.

If your home doesn’t have the relevant phone lines and connections needed, you'll need an engineer to install this. It’s likely your internet provider will charge for this service, especially if a new line or socket needs to be installed.

3. Request For Your Internet Supply to Resume

If you’ve set up your internet manually, phone your provider to resume your supply. If an engineer has visited, they can typically resume the supply for you.

Depending on your provider, it’s likely you will need to wait a short while for your internet to resume. While this may only take a few days, in some cases this may be longer, especially if there are issues with your supply or installation.

Your internet provider will be able to provide you with a rough idea of how long it will take for your internet to resume.

Switching Broadband Provider When Moving House

If you want to cancel your Broadband service when moving home, you will need to check the requirements regarding this.

Out of Contract Cancellations

If you’re not tied into a broadband contract, you'll still need to provide your supplier with your moving dates in advance. They will be able to cancel your broadband for you or move it to your new address.

As you’re not in a contract, it’s unlikely there will be any charges for cancelling. They will then ask you to return the internet equipment once your service has ceased.

In Contract Cancellation Charges

If you’re in contract with your broadband provider, ending your contract early will lead to cancellation fees.

These charges vary based on things such as the contract length, how much you pay and the individual broadband company.

The average exit fee for an in-contract cancellation is £29 per month. Here are the specific early cancellation charges for Sky, BT and Virgin.

In some cases, you may have to pay to stop your internet service regardless of whether you’re in or out of a contract. This is also known as a ‘cease charge’.

Contact Your Current Provider and Provide Enough Notice

If you're cancelling your broadband contract, the sooner you let your current provider know the better.

This provides them with enough time to request the equipment back and cancel your contract before your move.

The notice period for cancelling a contract can vary depending on the individual provider. On average, companies will ask for at least 30 days’ notice of a contract ending.

Moving Home With Sky Broadband

If you’re moving home with Sky, you'll need to provide them with at least two weeks’ notice. The more notice provided the better. This provides you with more flexibility if you need a Sky engineer to visit the property.

Depending on the property, you may need to pay an activation fee at your new property. Sky will discuss this with you when you contact them about your move.

The Sky website covers this in full detail.

Moving Home With BT Broadband

Moving broadband with BT is straightforward, and you can make them aware of your move online. You are required to provide your address and the date of your move. This allows BT to switch the service to your new home.

They require a minimum of 14 days notice to get everything set up for you. BT will look into broadband options in your area to ensure it's suitable for your existing package.

BT allows you to use the same contract and account. If you want to upgrade your BT Broadband package when you move, a new contract is set up.

Setting up BT Broadband in your new home doesn’t typically require the help of an engineer. You will simply need to plug in your BT Hub on the date you have planned for activation. If you don’t have a BT master socket, this may need to be installed.

To arrange your home move order and to find out for information, visit the BT website.

Moving Home With Virgin Broadband

Moving with Virgin Broadband can be particularly easy if the area you’re moving to has access to the Virgin Media cable network. You will need to use the QuickStart self-install pack. This doesn’t require an engineer.

You will need to contact them by phone to discuss your moving date and your new address. You should have your account number and details ready to provide.

They will then discuss your current package and whether you need to make any changes if you can’t access the full services in your new home.

If you move to an area that doesn’t have access to Virgin Broadband, you can cancel your contract without having to pay an early exit fee.

The Virgin Media website discusses moving home in more detail.

Moving Home With Other Broadbands

Other broadband companies follow similar steps when it comes to moving home. You will need to notify them before your move.

For example, TalkTalk requires two weeks’ notice, EE requires three weeks and Vodafone asks for 30 days’ notice.

If you’re unsure of the requirements of your specific internet service provider, contact them to discuss your options.

Do I Have to Change My Contract?

If you’re happy with your current contract or package, it’s unlikely you'll want to cancel your contract and change providers. Not only will this take time, but it may be costly, especially if you’re currently in a contract.

In most cases, you can move your broadband contract when you change addresses with no issues. Your broadband provider may charge for this change.

You may have no choice but to cancel or change your contract package or type if the package you’re paying for is not available in your area.

For example, some areas in the UK don’t have fiber optic available. You would need to change to DSL or cable line instead to receive internet.

Given that you wouldn’t be able to use the specific package in your new home you would need to contact your provider. It’s up to the discretion of the company whether they are willing to change the contract given the circumstances.

Can You Set Up Broadband Before You Move In?

If you have access to the property before your moving date you can set up the broadband before you move in. This can help you to save time and allows you to have internet access on your moving day.

It’s worth noting that an engineer may need to visit the property to install the broadband in some instances. You will need to arrange an installation date at the new property. Your internet service provider will be able to provide you with more details about this.

How Quickly Can I Get Broadband Installed?

On average, it will take around two weeks for your internet to be installed. If you want quick internet coverage at least two weeks' notice should be given to your existing internet service provider.

It will take time for your supplier to set up your account, send your equipment, and potentially arrange for an engineer to have the line installed.

Broadband for New Builds

If you’re purchasing a new build property, you will need to follow the same process as purchasing an existing home. For flats and apartments, you may be limited in the internet supply you’re able to use. This is a factor to consider when deciding where to live.

Many blocks of flats will be limited to one supplier you can use. This can be great in terms of speed and connection, but it can be frustrating if you have an existing contract with a different company that you want to use.

Can I Keep the Same Home Phone Number When I Move?

In the majority of cases you're able to keep the same home phone number. If you’re moving to a different area code, you may need to change your number.

It’s recommended to speak to your provider about this. They will be able to advise whether this is possible based on your new address.

If you’re changing providers you can often transfer your phone number to your new provider. You will need to contact your current and new provider about this.

If you’re switching to Sky Talk, their website states you'll need to contact Sky before you cancel your existing contract. Otherwise you will be unable to keep the same phone number.

Even if you move while in contract with Sky, their website states you'll need to change your landline number once you have moved.

Can I Take My Equipment With Me?

If you’re keeping the same broadband provider and package, you will likely need to take your current equipment to your new home. This will allow you to reconnect it and receive the same service.

If you are changing providers or the type of internet, you'll need to send the equipment back to your current provider.

Can I Upgrade My Package When I Move?

In most cases, your broadband provider will be happy for you to upgrade your broadband package when you move.

While the majority of providers are happy for you to upgrade your package, you will likely be unable to downgrade your package.

Can I Downgrade My TV package?

If you’re tied into a contract, it can be difficult to downgrade your TV package. In the majority of instances, TV providers won’t allow this. This is down to the discretion of the individual company.

You'll need to contact them to discuss your options with them. Some contracts allow you to add or remove certain perks which can allow you to save money each month.

How Do I Move My Internet to A New House?

To move your internet to a new house, you will need to take your equipment with you.

Your internet service provider will either request for you to set it up, or they will arrange for an engineer to do this.

They will then transfer your internet connection and supply to your new home.