Moving your Internet to a New House

One thing that you really don’t want to happen when you arrive in your new home is to find that you have no electricity, gas or telecoms. Historically, services usually stayed connected, but these days they can be switched off remotely.

Depending on the location, you may or may not be able to keep the same providers, so it’s important to start exploring your options at least a month before you move.

Most power providers wouldn’t dream of leaving your family without service on your first day in a new home, but broadband companies can leave you in the lurch for weeks. Act early and your new service could be live within 24 hours.

Ask your current provider if they are going to charge you for moving or cancelling your contract, then check the alternatives at a comparison site such as uswitch.

What Different Companies Say

BT needs at least 2 weeks’ notice. There is no charge unless they have to install a new line and they promise to switch on your new account within 2 days of you moving in.

EE asks for 3 weeks’ notice but it’s free even if they have to send an engineer. Plusnet also asks for 3 weeks, but claims that they can often make your new line active on the day you move in.

Sky only offers a free move to “VIP customers” and insists on new 18-month contracts, while TalkTalk offers a free transfer with 2 weeks’ notice if you keep an existing plan (so don’t be pushed into a new contract you don’t need).

When you move, you can usually take your existing router and line filters with you and reconnect them yourself. A new provider will need the “MAC code” provided by the old one. You might be able to avoid installation delays in your new home if you can negotiate with the seller to allow the new setup to begin before the completion date.