Broadband and moving house explained

What to consider first

Before you start shopping around for a new deal on broadband when moving house there are two important steps to do first.

• Check the broadband coverage at your new address: The broadband providers available and the broadband speeds on offer may be very different to what you currently have. So your first step should be to find out what’s going to be available for you.
• Check if you can cancel your current broadband deal: If you’re currently tied into a contract you may need to pay a cancellation fee so check the terms of your contract. And you’ll usually need to give your provider at least 30 days’ notice of any cancellation, but again, you should check this with your provider.

Broadband and moving house: What are your options?

With broadband and moving house, you generally have two options:

1. Transferring your current broadband to your new house

Transferring your current broadband to your new address can be a convenient option if you’re happy with your current provider and plan. Many broadband providers offer a “home move” service that allows you to transfer your broadband connection to a new address. Usually this can be organised online. However, there are some things to keep in mind if you’re doing this:

• Contact your provider early: With broadband and moving house it’s important to contact your provider as early as possible to inform them about your move and schedule the transfer. Some providers may require several weeks’ notice to process the request, so it’s best to plan ahead and allow enough time for the transfer to take place.
• Check availability at your new address: As we explain above, before transferring your broadband, check the availability of your provider’s service at your new address. Not all providers may offer service in your new area, or they may offer different plans or speeds. If your provider doesn’t offer service at your new address, you may need to explore other options.
• Update your contact information: And remember to update your contact information with your broadband provider when you move, including your new address. This will ensure that you receive important updates and notifications regarding your broadband transfer.

Moving house is a good time to review your broadband, telephone and TV. See our guide on what to consider when choosing a new package & the best providers

2. Cancelling or switching your broadband

If you’re not satisfied with your current broadband provider, you want to switch to a cheaper deal, or if transferring your broadband to your new home is not possible, you may consider cancelling or switching your broadband. Here are some points to consider:

• Cancellation fees: If you’re cancelling your broadband contract before the end of the term, your provider may charge you a cancellation fee, so check.
• Switching providers: With broadband and moving house, if you’re switching providers, research and compare different broadband options in your new area. Look for providers that offer the services and broadband speeds you need, and compare their plans, pricing, and customer reviews to choose the best option for your needs.
• Timing: When cancelling or switching your broadband, consider the timing of your move. It’s important to coordinate the cancellation or switch with your moving schedule to ensure that you have internet access in your new home as soon as possible. However, if you’re buying a house, it’s advisable to wait until you’ve exchanged contracts before booking it in.
• Returning equipment: If you’re cancelling your broadband, make sure to return any equipment, such as routers or modems, that you have rented or leased from your provider. Follow their instructions for returning the equipment, and keep records of the return process to avoid any potential disputes or charges.

When should I order broadband for a new home? 

Different providers ask for different timescales in terms of how much notice they want you to give them when it comes to broadband and moving house. But when you’re buying a house it’s advisable not to go ahead and book your broadband switch until you exchange contracts. At this point, your completion day is fixed – until that point the completion date can change and your purchase could fall through.  

How to move your current broadband connection to a new house

If you decide to transfer your current broadband to your new home, here are the steps you can follow to make the process smoother:

1. Contact your provider: Contact your current broadband provider as early as possible to inform them about your move and request a transfer of your broadband service to your new address. You’ll need to give your new address and your moving date.
2. Schedule the transfer: Work with your provider to schedule the transfer of your broadband service to your new home. They may require several weeks’ notice to process the request, so plan ahead and be flexible with the timing.
3. Prepare for installation: On the installation day, make sure someone is at your new home to give access to the technician and assist with any necessary setup or installation requirements.
4. Test Your Connection: With broadband and moving house, once the installation is complete, test your new broadband connection to ensure that it’s working properly. If you encounter any issues, contact customer service for help.

Moving Home with Different Providers

If you’re moving to a new home and considering switching to a different broadband provider, you should:

1. Research providers: Research different broadband providers in your new area and compare their plans, speeds, pricing, and customer reviews. Look for providers that offer the services and speeds you need, and consider factors such as contract terms, customer service, and reliability. You can use Ofcom’s broadband coverage checker to see what broadband speeds are available in your area.
2. Contact your chosen provider: Contact your chosen broadband provider and ask about their services at your new address and negotiate your new plan. You’ll also need to notify your current provider to cancel once you move.
3. Schedule Installation: If your chosen provider offers service at your new address, schedule an installation appointment for your new home. Bear in mind this could be several weeks away so plan early if you can. Again, you’ll need someone at home on the installation day and you should test your broadband service to ensure it’s working properly too.

Who is the seller currently with?

In the property information form – or TA6 form – that your seller would have filled in and you should have received from your conveyancing solicitor, there should be details of the broadband and telecomms company that the current homeowner is already signed up with. You might want to add this provider into the mix when you are researching. Although don’t assume they are the best provider.

Installing broadband in a new build home

When it comes to broadband and moving house, if you’re buying a new build home, the process is similar to moving into any other type of property. However, with some new build flats and houses, the broadband services for the entire building or street are exclusively provided by one provider.

There are pros and cons to this. On the upside, you will usually have a fast broadband speed. On the downside, it means you can’t shop around for a better deal so it may be more expensive.

When moving into a new development, it can sometimes be harder to check what broadband is available at your new home because your new postcode may not be working in broadband checkers yet. You can find out more about postcode problems with our guide to what you need to do when moving into a new build home.

How long does it take to set up internet in a new house?

Typically, scheduling an installation appointment with a broadband provider may take a few days to several weeks, depending on their availability. Once the installation is scheduled, the actual installation process may take a few hours to a full day, depending on the complexity of the installation and the type of service being installed.

How do I get internet while waiting for installation?

If you need internet in your new home while waiting for your broadband to be installed, there are a few options you can consider:

1. Mobile Hotspot: You can use your smart phone as a mobile hotspot to connect your devices to the internet. However, keep in mind that using a mobile hotspot uses data from your mobile plan, so be mindful of your data usage and any potential data limits or charges.
2. Public Wi-Fi: Many public places, such as cafes, libraries, and community centres, offer free Wi-Fi access. You can visit these places and use their Wi-Fi to connect to the internet while waiting for your broadband installation. However, keep in mind that public Wi-Fi networks may not always be secure, so be cautious when accessing sensitive information or conducting online transactions.
3. Temporary internet solutions: Some broadband providers offer temporary or short-term internet solutions, such as temporary broadband plans or portable Wi-Fi routers. These options may provide you with internet access for a limited period of time until your permanent broadband service is installed. Check with your chosen provider if they offer any temporary solutions and if they are suitable for your needs.
4. Neighbour’s Wi-Fi: If you have friendly neighbours who are willing to share their Wi-Fi, you can ask if they are willing to provide you with their Wi-Fi network credentials temporarily.
5. Speak to the seller. Often when the seller of the house you’re moving into terminates their broadband contract the service will stay running for a few more weeks. Your seller may be willing to leave the router in situ, along with the password, for you to access for the remaining period. Speak to the estate agent to ask them to liaise with the seller and see if this would be possible.

Moving home with different broadband providers

The process of organising your broadband when moving house may vary depending on who your provider is. For example:

Sky broadband moving house

When it comes to Sky broadband and moving house, you’ll need to contact them directly to discuss your move and book an engineer to visit your new property. If you are a current customer, you will need to clear any outstanding balance on your account. And if you have a landline, you’ll get a new landline number too.

Virgin broadband moving house

Once you have checked that you can use Virgin Media broadband services at your new address, contact them to book your installation in your new home. You might choose to change your package or you may need to change it if your current package isn’t available at your new address. If you are already a Virgin Media customer, remember to take your current broadband kit with you when you move. Once you’re in your new home, all you need to do is plug it in and you’ll be up and running the very same day.

BT broadband and moving house

With BT Broadband and moving house, they ask for at least two weeks’ notice. If you are a current customer and wish to carry over your existing service, you can continue on the same contract with the same account and there’s no charge for your new connection, and no need to set up a new Direct Debit.

Talk Talk broadband and moving house

Talk Talk ask for a minimum 14 days notice of your move. If you want to move your existing Talk Talk service to your new house, there is a £60 charge for moving your services.

Vodafone broadband and moving house

If you’re moving home with Vodafone broadband, it asks you let them know at least 30 days before you move home to avoid delays. Existing customers should bring the router to their new home.

EE broadband and moving house

EE asks you to contact them at least three weeks before your move.

Get ready for moving day. See what you need to do to take over the gas and electricity when you move house and be sure to shop around and compare energy deals.