Moving house is the one time when Ofcom’s One Touch Switch process doesn’t help. That process is built for changing provider at the same address. When you move, you are dealing with two separate questions: what happens to your current contract, and what connection your new home can actually get. Sorting both a few weeks ahead is the difference between unpacking with working Wi-Fi and spending a fortnight on your phone’s data.
Start with the new address
Before you contact anyone, find out which networks reach your new home. A house two miles away can have a completely different choice, with full fibre where you had part fibre, or the reverse. Enter the new postcode in our broadband checker, and if you can, ask the seller, landlord or current occupants which provider they use and whether a fibre box is already fitted inside.
What you find decides your next step. If your current provider serves the new home with a similar or better connection, moving your contract across is usually simplest. If it can’t, or something much faster is available from another provider, you’ll be ending your contract and ordering afresh.
Taking your contract with you
Most large providers will move your service to a new address if they can supply it. Give them at least a month’s notice. Some ask for more, and few will book a move more than three months ahead. Be aware that:
- Some providers charge a fee to move your existing contract. Others waive it if you sign a new contract, which restarts your minimum term.
- If the new home needs a new line or a full fibre installation, there may be an engineer visit and, occasionally, a connection charge.
- Your package may change if the exact service you have isn’t available at the new address.
Ask for the terms of the move in writing before you agree, especially whether your minimum term carries over or starts again.
If your provider can’t serve your new home
This is where exit fees can bite. There is no Ofcom rule that waives them when you move, so it comes down to each provider’s own policy.
| Provider | Policy if it can’t serve your new address |
|---|---|
| Sky | You can cancel without exit fees |
| Plusnet | No early termination charge if it can’t provide a service at your new UK address |
| Virgin Media | An early disconnection fee may apply, but it can be credited back if you send proof of a UK move outside its network |
| Vodafone | You can end the contract with evidence of the move, but Vodafone reserves the right to charge termination fees |
| Hyperoptic | A move within the same building is free. Moving to another building may mean a termination fee for the time left on your contract |
| Community Fibre | An early termination fee applies for the months left in your minimum term |
| BT, EE, TalkTalk, NOW Broadband | Not set out on their moving pages, so ask for confirmation in writing |
Policies as published by each provider in October 2026. They can change, so confirm yours before you cancel. Our guide to leaving a broadband contract early explains how exit fees are calculated and the other ways out of a contract.
Changing provider when you move
If you’re leaving your current provider, treat it as two separate jobs. Order the new service for the new address, then give notice on the old one, timed so it ends close to your moving day. Because One Touch Switch doesn’t apply to a house move, the new provider won’t cancel your old contract for you.
Give yourself plenty of time. Where the line and equipment are already in place, a new service can often start within two weeks. A new full fibre installation, or a busy time of year, can take longer. Our best broadband picks and deals pages are a good place to start comparing.
Avoiding a gap in service
A few days without broadband is common during a move. To keep it short:
- Order your new service three to four weeks before moving day.
- Pick an installation date for the day after you get the keys, so someone is home for the engineer.
- Use your phone as a hotspot for the first few days, or a 5G home broadband router, which you plug in and use straight away.
- If you’re likely to move again within a year or two, choose a rolling or 12 month contract so the next move costs nothing to get out of.
Keeping your landline number
Traditional landline numbers are tied to a local area code. You can usually keep your number if you stay within the same area, but moving to a town with a different code often means a new number. Ask your provider before you move, as digital phone services differ in what they allow. Our guide to the landline switch off explains how home phones are changing.
Moving into a new build
Since December 2022, new homes in England have had to be built with the cabling needed for gigabit broadband. Developers also have to arrange a gigabit connection, unless it would cost more than a set amount per home. In practice, most new build homes now come with full fibre, but sometimes from a single network chosen by the developer, which can limit your choice of provider for the first few years. Ask the developer which network serves the site before you move in, then check the providers on it with our broadband checker. Our guide to full fibre vs fibre explains the connection types you may find.
Renting and student moves
If you rent, check your tenancy agreement and ask your landlord before booking any installation that involves drilling. For short tenancies, a shorter contract or a 5G connection can save paying an exit fee when you move on. Students moving into a shared house should read our student broadband deals guide, which covers 12 month contracts and who should hold the account.
Moving home checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Six weeks before | Check what’s available at the new address and read your current contract’s moving terms |
| Four weeks before | Tell your provider, or order a new service and give notice on the old one |
| Two weeks before | Confirm the installation date and any equipment delivery |
| Moving day | Plug in the router and test the connection |
| After the move | Return any old equipment if asked, and check your final bill |
FAQs
Can I take my broadband with me when I move house?
Usually, yes, if your provider can supply your new address. Give at least a month’s notice, and check whether a moving fee applies or your contract restarts.
Do I have to pay an exit fee if I move house?
It depends on your provider. Some waive the fee if they can’t serve your new home, while others still charge for the remaining months. Check your provider’s terms and get the answer in writing.
Does One Touch Switch work when moving house?
No. One Touch Switch only covers changing provider at the same address. When you move, you order the new service and cancel the old one separately.
How long does it take to set up broadband in a new home?
Often up to two weeks where a working line is already in place. A new full fibre installation can take longer, so order three to four weeks before you move.
Can I keep my phone number when I move?
Usually only if you stay within the same local area code. Ask your provider before the move, as digital phone services vary.