Provider and contract without surprises in 2026: price indexing, add-ons, equipment returns and moving home

Internet contracts in 2026 are less “mystery fee” than they used to be, but the surprises haven’t vanished — they’ve just moved into clearer (yet still easy-to-miss) wording. If you want a deal that stays predictable, focus on four areas: how prices can change, what “bundles” really include, what happens to any router or ONT when you leave, and what your options are if you move address. This guide is written to be used like a checklist, not read once and forgotten.

10 common small-print clauses that still cost people money in 2026

1) Price indexing or scheduled rises: the contract should say exactly when increases can happen and how the new price is calculated. 2) Promo period roll-off: discounted months often flip to a higher standard rate automatically. 3) “Bundle” assumptions: extras (security, Wi-Fi pods, streaming, static IP) can be included for a trial period and then billed. 4) Router/mesh rental: monthly equipment fees can run for the full contract, not just the first months. 5) Upfront “activation” or “connection” fees: sometimes waived only if you keep the service for a minimum time.

6) Engineer visit charges: some providers bill for non-fault visits, missed appointments, or internal wiring work. 7) Fair-use policies: “unlimited” can still come with traffic management rules, hotspot limits, or business-use exclusions. 8) Early exit fees: typically linked to remaining months, and sometimes include an admin fee. 9) Price changes due to “cost increases”: broad clauses can be triggered by supplier changes unless the contract locks down when and why changes happen. 10) Auto-renewal and renewal channels: you may be pushed toward renewal only by phone, with limited written confirmation unless you ask.

Practical habit: before you agree, request a single-page summary (or the “key information” document) and compare it against the full terms. When the summary and the terms differ, ask for the provider to confirm in writing which one governs billing. Save that message as a PDF, because it often becomes the cleanest evidence later.

How to spot a real price term (and avoid “it depends” wording)

Look for plain numbers and dates: “£X/month from month 1 to month 12, then £Y/month” is clear; “may increase each year” is not. If the contract refers to an index, it should also define what happens if the index changes methodology, is replaced, or is paused — vague wording usually means the provider keeps discretion. If you can’t model the total cost on a calendar in five minutes, it isn’t truly transparent.

Ask one question that forces clarity: “What will I pay in month 1, month 7, and month 13, assuming no optional extras?” If the answer is not precise, request a written quote showing those months. In many disputes, providers rely on the customer only seeing the initial promo price — your goal is to lock the “after promo” price into something concrete.

Keep an eye on add-on defaults. The cleanest contracts make every extra opt-in. The risky ones use language like “included”, “part of your package”, or “enabled” without saying “free for the full term”. If an extra is free only for a trial, you want the exact end date and the exact post-trial price written down.

Moving house: what should happen if the new address has worse service or none at all

A move is where contracts often get messy. The provider may treat “relocation” as a brand-new installation with new fees, a new minimum term, or a reset of promotional pricing. In 2026, treat relocation like a mini-renegotiation: get the new address checked in writing, confirm the expected technology (full fibre, FTTC, cable, fixed wireless), and ask for minimum guaranteed speeds or an exit option if performance is materially worse.

If the service is unavailable at the new address, don’t accept a vague “we’ll see” timeline without a clear stop-date. Ask for the provider’s formal position: whether they can deliver the contracted service, by what date, and what your options are if they cannot. Where the replacement service is clearly inferior (for example, a much lower speed tier or higher latency connection offered as a substitute), request a remedy: a lower price, the right to leave without penalties, or a temporary alternative on explicit terms.

Plan the switching window. The best-case scenario is continuity: your old service stays live until the new line is ready. If you must overlap two services for a short period, negotiate it upfront (even a two-week overlap can be cheaper than a work-from-home outage). Keep every appointment confirmation, because missed or delayed installs are a frequent source of extra charges and lost time.

A relocation script that prevents the “new contract by stealth” problem

Use a simple script in email or chat: “I am relocating. Please confirm (1) whether you can provide the same service tier at the new address, (2) the monthly price and any one-off fees, (3) whether my minimum term restarts, and (4) my options if the service is unavailable or materially worse.” This forces the provider to put the key points into a single thread.

If they insist on a new contract, treat it like a new purchase. Ask for the full pre-contract information again and check whether the move triggers new admin fees, a new router charge, or a different price-rise schedule. People often accept “it’s just the system” explanations — but systems are not agreements unless you accept them knowingly.

If the installation date slips, don’t rely on verbal reassurance. Ask for a written update and a revised activation date. If you need temporary connectivity (mobile hotspot, 4G/5G router, co-working day pass), calculate the real cost and use that figure when negotiating compensation or fee waivers.

Returning equipment, avoiding penalties, and a checklist you can actually use

Equipment is where small amounts turn into big arguments. Clarify whether the router, ONT, mesh pods or TV box are loaned, rented, or sold. “Included” does not always mean “yours to keep”. Ask what must be returned, in what condition, and by what deadline. Also check whether the provider expects original packaging, power cables, or serial-number matching — missing accessories are a common reason for charges.

When returning kit, treat it like returning a valuable parcel: photograph the device, accessories and serial number, and record the condition. Use a tracked service, keep the receipt, and save the tracking page as a screenshot on the day you send it. If you return in store, request a receipt that lists the device identifiers. The point is simple: you want proof of what you sent, when you sent it, and that it was accepted.

Now the checklist. Before you sign: confirm total cost across the whole term, including post-promo pricing, any scheduled increases, and mandatory equipment fees; confirm early exit fees; confirm add-ons are opt-in; confirm how relocation is handled. On installation day: record the promised package, the installed equipment serial numbers, and the first speed test results. In month one: audit the bill line-by-line, cancel any unwanted extras immediately, and keep a dated record of every change request.

Template: three mini checklists (before signing, install day, first month)

Before signing (copy/paste into notes): “Monthly price by month (1 / 6 / 12 / 18). Any scheduled rises stated in cash amounts. One-off fees (activation, delivery, engineer). Equipment cost (buy/rent/loan) and return deadline. Early exit fee formula. Add-ons list with prices and whether they auto-renew. Support channels that provide written confirmation.”

Install day: “Photo of equipment and serial numbers. Written confirmation of package name and speed tier. Time-stamped speed tests (wired if possible). Note any engineer comments about internal wiring and whether it’s chargeable. Save appointment texts/emails. If anything differs from what you bought, raise it the same day in writing.”

First month: “Check bill for: promo applied correctly; no unexpected add-ons; correct equipment fee; correct dates; correct pro-rata charges. If you spot an issue, dispute it fast and in writing, attaching screenshots. If you plan to leave, schedule equipment return early and keep tracking proof until the final bill is settled.”