Broadband in a house share: whose name, and how do you split it?
Short answer
Broadband usually goes in one housemate's name, and the provider treats that person as responsible for the whole contract. Agree in writing how you split the cost and what happens if they move out. Check the contract length fits your tenancy, because leaving early can mean an exit fee, even if you move somewhere the provider cannot serve.
Updated
12, 18 or 24 months
Typical broadband contract lengths, Ofcom says
14 days
To cancel a broadband order made by phone or online
One person's name goes on a broadband contract, but everyone uses it. Agree who holds the account, how you split the cost and what happens when someone leaves before anyone orders.
Whose name should the broadband be in?
Pick the person most likely to stay, because the contract, the bills and any exit fee sit with them.
- Choose the housemate who will stay longest and is happy to deal with the provider. Their name goes on the contract and the provider bills them.
- Expect a credit check on the account holder. Virgin Media says its student broadband is subject to one.
- If anyone in the house claims Universal Credit or Pension Credit and you want a social tariff, Ofcom says the person receiving the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract.
Sources: Virgin Media: student broadband (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: social tariffs (read 13 October 2026)
How should housemates split the broadband bill?
- An equal split is the simplest, because everyone uses the same connection.
- Agree who pays any setup, equipment or exit fee as well as the monthly price, and write it down.
- A bill-splitting app or standing orders to the account holder stop one person chasing everyone each month.
- Review the split when a housemate leaves or a new one arrives.
What happens when the account holder moves out?
- The contract stays in their name until it ends, so they stay responsible for it after they leave.
- Ask the provider whether a housemate who is staying can take the account over. Policies differ, so get the answer in writing.
- If nobody takes it over, the account holder may owe an exit fee for the months left. Citizens Advice says a fee can apply even if you move somewhere your provider does not serve.
- If the account holder takes the broadband to their new home, the house needs a new connection. Ofcom's moving advice is to arrange the new service's start date in time.
Sources: Citizens Advice: cancelling a phone, TV, internet or mobile contract (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: moving home, top tips for keeping connected (read 13 October 2026)
Should the broadband contract match your tenancy?
- Ofcom says broadband contracts typically tie you in for 12, 18 or 24 months, and leaving before the end can mean an exit fee, also called an early termination charge.
- Your provider must tell you 10 to 40 days before the contract ends, with the price you'll pay after it, Ofcom says.
- You can cancel a new order within 14 days if you made it by phone or online, Citizens Advice says. After that, the minimum term applies.
- If the house empties over summer, the account holder still pays until the contract ends.
Sources: Ofcom: are you in or out of contract? (read 13 October 2026); Citizens Advice: cancelling a phone, TV, internet or mobile contract (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: switching broadband provider (read 13 October 2026)
Can students get a 9-month broadband contract?
- We checked Virgin Media's student broadband on 13 October 2026. It is a 12-month minimum term that Virgin Media says is made to fit the academic year and summer, and it needs a valid ac.uk email address.
- Virgin Media says its 30-day rolling deals are for non-students, and cancelling the student deal in its minimum term means an early disconnection fee.
- On a rolling contract, Virgin Media says you only need to give 30 days' notice to cancel, which can suit a short tenancy.
- We did not find a 9-month term on the pages we checked. If a provider offers one, compare its total cost with a 12-month deal and a rolling contract.
Sources: Virgin Media: student broadband (read 13 October 2026); Virgin Media: information about your contract (read 13 October 2026)
How do you set up broadband in a shared house?
- 1
Agree whose name it goes in
Pick the housemate who will stay longest and is happy to deal with the provider, because the contract sits with them.
- 2
Check the address and its speeds
Look the address up on Ofcom's broadband and mobile checker to see which services reach it.
- 3
Match the contract to your tenancy
Compare the contract's minimum term with your tenancy dates, and agree now who pays any exit fee if you leave early.
- 4
Write down the split
Agree each person's share, how they pay the account holder and who covers setup or equipment charges.
- 5
Plan for someone moving out
Decide what happens if the account holder or a housemate leaves before the contract ends.
Sources: Ofcom: moving home, top tips for keeping connected (read 13 October 2026); Ofcom: are you in or out of contract? (read 13 October 2026)
Broadband contract against your tenancy
| Your situation | What to agree or check |
|---|---|
| Tenancy at least as long as the contract | Start the contract when you move in and check its end date against the tenancy end. |
| Tenancy shorter than the contract | Ask for the exit fee for the months that would be left, and agree now who pays it. |
| A housemate leaves early | The account holder stays responsible, so agree how the remaining payments are shared. |
| The account holder moves out first | Ask the provider whether someone staying can take the account over, or plan for an exit fee. |
| Someone claims a qualifying benefit | A social tariff needs the person receiving the benefit to be the main person on the contract. |
Broadband in a house share: questions
Whose name should the broadband be in for a house share?
Usually the housemate who will stay longest and is happy to deal with the provider, because the contract and any exit fee sit with them. If someone wants a social tariff, Ofcom says the person receiving the qualifying benefit must be the main person on the contract.
Can we split the broadband bill between housemates?
Yes. The provider bills the account holder, and housemates pay their share to that person, for example through a bill-splitting app or a standing order. Agree the split, and who pays any setup or exit fee, in writing before the first bill arrives.
What happens to the broadband if the account holder moves out?
The contract stays in their name until it ends or the provider transfers it. Ask the provider whether a housemate who is staying can take it over. If not, the account holder may owe an exit fee for the months left, so agree who covers it.
Can students get broadband for 9 months?
We did not find a 9-month term on the provider pages we checked. Virgin Media's student broadband runs for 12 months and needs an ac.uk email address. A rolling contract lets you leave with 30 days' notice, which can suit a short tenancy.
What broadband speed does a student house need?
It depends on how many people are online at once and what they do. Check what your address can get on Ofcom's checker, then choose a speed for your busiest evening, when several people stream or join video calls at the same time.
Sort the rest of the house bills
Splitting, names on bills and what to do when someone moves out.
Start here
Split bills with housemates
RecommendedWork out fair shares for every bill in a shared house.
Whose name goes on the bills in a house share?
Who is liable for each household bill when you share.
Housemate moving out: the bills checklist
What to settle when someone leaves the house.
Student house bills over summer
What you still pay when the house is empty.
Broadband social tariffs
Cheaper broadband if someone in the house claims a qualifying benefit.
Keep the house broadband bill in check
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