← All guides · Updated 2 November 2026
Mid-contract price rises: can I leave my contract?
Many phone, broadband and pay-TV providers put prices up each spring, even part-way through a contract. Whether you can leave without paying an exit fee depends on what your contract said about price rises. Here's how Ofcom's rules work.
The rule since 17 January 2025: pounds and pence
Ofcom banned phone, broadband and pay-TV providers from putting inflation-linked or percentage-based price-rise terms (like "CPI + 3.9%") in new contracts from 17 January 2025. If a provider includes price rises in a contract, it must now set them out clearly in pounds and pence before you sign, and say when they will happen.
Ofcom doesn't cap how much providers can charge. It's about making sure you know the rise in advance.
If the rise was in your contract
If your contract said "your price will go up by £3 a month each April", that rise is part of what you agreed. You generally can't leave penalty-free just because it happens. The same goes for older contracts (signed before 17 January 2025) that set out inflation-linked or percentage rises: Ofcom says these may still apply.
If the rise wasn't in your contract
Ofcom says that if your contract doesn't set out how much the price can rise, and your provider puts the price up, or raises it by more than your contract allows, the provider must:
- tell you at least 30 days before the increase takes effect, and
- give you 30 days from that point to exit your contract if you wish.
If you leave, you can either take a new contract with the same provider or switch to another provider without paying exit fees.
What to do when you get a price-rise letter
- Find your contract summary. Providers must give you one when you sign up. Look for a price-rise section.
- Check the date you signed. Before or after 17 January 2025?
- Compare the rise to what's written. Is it the same amount, or more?
- If you have a right to exit, act within the window, and keep a copy of the notice.
- If you don't, you can still haggle. See how to haggle your broadband or TV renewal.
If you think your provider broke the rules
Ofcom says that if your provider didn't make the price-rise information clear before you signed, you should complain to the provider. If it doesn't resolve your complaint within six weeks, or sends a "deadlock" letter, you can usually take it to the provider's free alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme.
Out of contract? You can usually leave anyway
If your minimum term has ended, you're normally free to switch after giving the notice your contract requires (often 30 days). Ofcom also requires providers to warn you before your contract ends; see end-of-contract notifications.
Check your own bill
Enter your current price, the new price and your contract dates. Bill Fighter shows what the rise costs you a year and writes a complaint or negotiation letter.
Free, no sign-up. Uploaded bills are read and deleted straight away.
Related guides
- Sky or Virgin Media price rise: what you can do
- How to haggle your broadband or TV renewal
- End-of-contract notifications: what your provider must tell you
Sources
- Ofcom: Telecoms price rises – what are your rights?
- Ofcom: ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises
Last checked 02/11/2026. Rules change, so check the linked pages before you act. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.