Moving House? The Broadband, Wi-Fi and Tech Checklist (UK)
8 November 2026 · By Ethan Fernandes
When to move your broadband, how to get every device to reconnect in the new house, what to do about the landline and TV, and the tech jobs people forget, from six weeks before to the first evening in your new home.
Quick answer
Check broadband at the new address and book the move as soon as you have a date, as many providers need around two weeks' notice. On moving day, give the new router the same Wi-Fi name and password as your old one so devices reconnect by themselves. Then sort the home phone, personal alarm, TV Licence and any smart devices.
Moving house is stressful enough without spending the first week with no Wi-Fi, a TV that won't find its apps and a printer that has vanished. Most of it is avoidable with a little planning, starting a few weeks before the move.
The short version: check what broadband is available at the new address and book the move as soon as you have a date, as many providers need around two weeks' notice. On moving day, give the new router the same Wi-Fi name and password as your old one, so most devices reconnect by themselves. Then sort the home phone, personal alarm, TV Licence and any smart devices.
4 to 6 Weeks Before
- Check broadband at the new address. Use your provider's or Openreach's availability checker. If full fibre is available, moving is a good chance to upgrade.
- Decide: move or switch? Your provider may move your existing service, or you may want to switch. Check your contract, as some providers charge to end it early unless they can't supply the new address.
- Book the move or installation. Many moves need around two weeks' notice. New lines and full fibre installs can take longer.
- Plan a temporary connection. If there might be a gap, a 4G or 5G router or phone hotspot keeps you online.
1 to 2 Weeks Before
- Write down your Wi-Fi name and password exactly, including capital letters.
- Back up phones and laptops before they're packed.
- Home phone and alarm: ask whether your number can move with you, and tell your personal alarm or telecare provider about the move.
- Smart devices staying in the old house, such as doorbells, cameras and thermostats: remove them from your accounts so the buyers can set them up. See smart home devices when you move.
- Label cables for the TV, router and computer as you unplug them.
Moving Day
- Set up the router first, ideally somewhere central rather than wherever the socket happens to be.
- Use your old Wi-Fi name and password on the new router, and most phones, tablets, speakers and smart plugs reconnect by themselves.
- Reconnect anything that doesn't, such as printers, smart TVs and cameras, through its own settings or app.
- Test Wi-Fi in every room. New homes have new blackspots. A mesh system may be needed. See is mesh Wi-Fi worth it?
The Jobs People Forget
- TV Licence: tell TV Licensing your new address.
- Post: set up Royal Mail redirection, and update your address with banks, the GP and online shops.
- Old router: if you're leaving a provider, check whether it needs returning.
- Email address: if you use an email address from your broadband provider and you're switching, check you can keep it.
- Smart devices left by the previous owners: reset them and set them up on your own accounts, and change any smart lock codes.
Helping a Parent Move or Downsize
Moving is especially hard for older people. Make sure the home phone and any personal alarm work on the first day, the TV is set up with their usual channels, and the tablet or phone is connected to the new Wi-Fi. Leave a written note of the new Wi-Fi details. See the digital landline switchover guide.
How We Handle It
We help plan the broadband move before you go, then set up the new home on or after moving day: router placed properly, your old Wi-Fi name used so devices reconnect, mesh added where needed, and TVs, printers, smart devices, cameras, the home phone and any alarm all working. We also help parents who are moving or downsizing, at their pace. See our moving house tech setup.
Related Reading
Common questions
Many providers need around two weeks' notice to move an existing service. A new line or full fibre installation can take longer, so book as soon as you have a moving date.
If you're staying with the same provider, usually yes. If you're switching, you'll get a new router, and the old one may need returning.
Give the new router the same Wi-Fi name and password as your old one, exactly, and most devices reconnect automatically. Reconnect anything else through its own settings or app.
It depends on your provider and where you're moving. Ask them whether the number can move with you. With digital phone services, keeping your number is often easier than it used to be.
Yes. Update your address with TV Licensing so your licence covers the new home.
Still stuck? We can fix it for you
Most problems like this can be fixed remotely today, anywhere in the UK, or with a home visit across West London. DBS checked, insured, 7 days a week until 9pm.
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