Check if a price rise lets you leave a service without a fee

This advice applies across the UK.

The short version

• If a service has no minimum term, like most streaming, you can leave any time the price goes up.
• If you're in a minimum-term contract, it depends on how the rise was set out.
• If the rise was made clear when you signed up, you're usually tied in until the term ends.
• If the rise was not made clear, you can often leave without paying a fee.
• For phone, broadband and TV, the provider must tell you if a rise gives you the right to leave.

Start by checking your minimum term

The first thing to check is whether you're in a 'minimum term'. This is a set period, often 12, 18 or 24 months, when leaving early costs you a fee.

Most streaming services, such as film, music or TV apps, have no minimum term. Broadband, phone and TV packages usually do.

If your service has no minimum term

If there's no minimum term, a price rise is simple to deal with. You can cancel any time, and you won't pay a fee for leaving.

If you don't want to pay the new price, cancel before it starts. Follow our guide to cancel a subscription and stop the payments.

If you're in a minimum-term contract

If you're tied into a minimum term, whether you can leave without a fee depends on how the price rise was set out when you signed up.

If the rise was set out when you signed up

Since 17 January 2025, phone, broadband and TV providers must set out any in-contract price rise in pounds and pence when you sign up. Older contracts might instead have a rise linked to inflation.

If your rise was made clear at the start, in either of these ways, you're usually tied in. Leaving early means paying an exit fee.

If the rise was not set out when you signed up

If your provider raises the price in a way that wasn't clear when you signed up, you can usually leave without paying a fee.

For phone, broadband and TV, the rules are set by Ofcom. Your provider must give you notice, must tell you that you can leave without a fee, and must give you 30 days to do it.

If you're on a social tariff

If you're on a low income and get certain benefits, you might be on a 'social tariff' for broadband or phone. These don't have mid-contract price rises, and you can leave without a fee.

What you can do

• Check whether you're in a minimum term.
• If you're not, cancel any time to avoid the new price.
• If you are, check whether the rise was made clear when you signed up.
• If it wasn't, tell your provider you want to leave without a fee.

If your provider says you can't leave and you think the rise was unclear, complain to them first, then to an ombudsman. For phone, broadband and TV, check Ofcom's advice on price rises.