Moving home - phone & broadband

[Deleted User]

A friend of mine will be moving soon. Contracts have not yet been exchanged, but he has already had a letter saying the buyer is taking over the line and the effective date.

I'd previously said not to do anything until contracts are exchanged and he has a completion date. I said that may mean no broadband for a few days as transfers seem to take 2 weeks. The alternative would be to transfer your phone and broadband to the new house but the sale then falls through leaving a mess to sort out.

1. Is the above the right approach?

2. Can he and should he stop his line being taken over by his buyer?

I understand exchange could be anytime soon but could also be another week or so (or never if things go badly?).

If anyone has moved house recently or knows the processes used, could you please let me have your thoughts?

Thanks.

JJ_Egan

Key is current contract and how long left .
Move home and take the contract with you usually starts a new contract .
Pay off current contract and free to take new customer discounts .

[Deleted User]

He's out of contract but my query was about the buyer taking over my friend's current line and him taking over the line in the new house ie timings vs exchange and completion so as not to do things too soon (which the buyer seems to have done).

Owain_Moneysaver

If the buyer takes over the line he'll probably be tied into a fixed term new contract (and losing his old line, assuming he has one) which suggests the buyer is confident that things will go through, so I'd say it's a good sign on balance.

However you might want to get your solicitor to agree with the buyer's solicitor that:

the seller (you) makes available your line now for the takeover process to start with transfer on the date of entry provided that, if the buyer fails to proceed, the buyer will pay for reconnection of your line on a temporary (no fixed term contract) basis.

Note that if the buyer takes over your line before you take your number somewhere else, you will almost certainly lose your current number. If this is important, you can port your number to a VoIP provider but this will also cease your current line, and if you want a cease-and-reprovide on a new line number you will face a new fixed term contract.