Approximately one million people are left without broadband for over a week when moving home. While that doesn’t sound very long, if you’re remote working, home schooling or stream your TV instead of watching live, a week can seem like forever!
A little forward thinking goes a long way to make the transition as smooth as possible, especially if you’re a first time buyer. Read on to find out all you need to know about broadband and moving home, as well as the service we provide in our homes at Pocket Living.
Do Pocket homes have Broadband installed?
In many of our Pocket homes, we provide our residents with Hyperoptic broadband with three months free. This is already installed, so it’s quick and easy to set up when you move in.
Bringing over an existing broadband deal
Even if you move into a home that already has internet installed, you can also look into bringing over your existing provider if you prefer. If you want to do this, you will need to cancel the broadband already installed in the property.
If you’re choosing to continue with your former broadband provider, it isn’t always possible to avoid time without a connection completely, but if you plan in advance, you can keep it to an absolute minimum. You just need to tell them when you’re moving and when you want your broadband installed.
Most providers require a minimum of 14 days notice, while some require up to 30 days. If you move with your current provider, you may have to sign a new contract and there may be a cost.
Not all providers work like this, so check when you’re discussing the move with them.
Cancelling a contract
Whether you choose to keep your existing provider or opt for the pre-installed option, you will have to make your intention clear. You typically need to give a provider between 14-28 days notice to cancel a service.
If you’re in the fixed term part of the contract, you may be liable for early termination fees. This is usually your monthly amount multiplied by the number of months left.
Can I look for alternative broadband options?
When moving homes, there is also an opportunity to search the market for other broadband deals.
Your first task is to see if your chosen provider offers broadband at your new address. Not all providers cover all areas of the UK, so it pays to make sure.
As soon as you have a completion or move-in date, use a comparison site to see what broadband deals you can get in your new home.
Setting up your new router
Once you’re done moving home and have connected to broadband, there are a couple of essential setup tasks you need to take care of.
Secure your network
You’ll need to change a couple of settings to keep your network safe after the router has been installed.
All routers come with defaults set so that they work in every type of situation. That includes default passwords, Wi-Fi passwords and settings. Change the default router login and password, as well as the Wi-Fi network name and login password, as soon as you can.
If you live in a larger or older property, you may find Wi-Fi coverage won’t reach everywhere. Use boosters, powerline adapters or mesh kits to extend coverage. Each is cheap, easy to use and can extend and/or strengthen Wi-Fi signal in hard to reach areas.
If you’re having renovation done after the move, that’s a good opportunity to install a wired Ethernet network. It’s much faster and more secure than Wi-Fi!
The internet isn’t working in my new home
There’s a chance your internet won’t work properly after an engineer has installed a new router.
If the engineer is still present, it’s their job to complete the installation and leave you with a fully operational broadband connection. If they have left, you should contact the broadband provider’s customer services. Call them if you can, as web chat or email can be slow.
If you are not the bill payer or named on the contract (for example, if the broadband is included in a tenancy), then you will need to ask the person named on the contract to manage the issue.
Keep on the case until they have remedied the situation and given you a fully working broadband connection.
Moving home is exciting, but it involves some organisation to ensure it goes smoothly. We hope this helps you navigate the tricky world of broadband, and if you need any more information, Broadband Genie is a good resource.
Follow Pocket Living on Instagram to join our Q&As and see real stories of middle earners in London who got onto the property ladder with the help of Pocket.
