Can You Keep Your Home Security System When You Move?

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

Can You Keep Your Home Security System When You Move?

Whether you live in a house, condo, or apartment, moving happens. In most cases, you can take your home security system with you when you move. We dug into the moving policies of top home security systems to find out about contracts, moving fees, and whether or not you can take your equipment with you.

Here’s what you can expect if you’re a current customer of any of the ten home security companies listed below—or if you're making a final decision about a service provider.

Protect your property
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the latest deals, home security tips, and in-depth reviews.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.


Light Bulb
Are you moving?

Check out International Van Lines. It's one of the best professional moving companies in the country, with transparent pricing, discounts, comprehensive service options, and helpful customer service.


Compare the moving policies of top home security systems

Brand
Are there any contract stipulations?
Do they charge moving fees?
Can I take my equipment with me?
When should I tell them I'm moving?
Learn more
Read review

None

•$149 pro removal (optional)

•$149 pro installation (required)

Moving fees waived for military members

Can move:
•Control panel
•Key fobs
•Medical pendants
•Plug-in items


Free replacements:
•Up to 4 entry sensors
•Choice of smoke detector, motion detector, or glass break sensor
At least 2 weeks in advance

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

Must have active contract for 24 months and sign new 36-month contract

$25 activation fee


No

At least 30 days in advance

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

None

No moving fees

Can move all equipment

Update address after reinstalling equipment

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Full ADT disclaimer


Vivint's moving policies

Shows a line-up of sample equipment found in a Vivint home security system: video doorbell, indoor camera, control panel, thermostat, and smart lock.

Image: Vivint

Equipment policy: If you’re a current Vivint customer, the company will provide and install a “like for like” home security system in your new residence. Upgrades and replacement of some equipment will cost extra. To avoid equipment replacement charges, you can move some equipment (control panels and security cameras) on your own. Vivint provides a moving checklist to help you understand what equipment you should uninstall and bring with you.

Contract policy: After you’ve been a Vivint customer for a year, you can move without any fees as long as you sign a new monitoring contract. If you want to stick with your current contract, you can still move your home security system, but it’ll cost you a $99 move fee. All customers who move before reaching one year into their contract will be charged the $99 move fee.

Frontpoint's moving policies

Shows a line-up of equipment found in a Frontpoint home security system: premium indoor camera, system hub, keypad, and dashboard views on the mobile app, desktop portal, and touchscreen panel.

Image: Frontpoint

Equipment policy: Thanks to its DIY approach to home security, FrontPoint makes it simple to move equipment from one home to another. Because equipment is 100% wireless, it’s easy to take your home security system with you when you change your address.

Contract policy: Frontpoint prides itself on its “no hidden fees approach” to business. You are free to move your home security equipment without moving fees or changes to your current contract. Frontpoint even offers a free moving kit. Just call the customer support line to get a moving box and instructions to help you uninstall your equipment. When you’re settled in your new abode, simply call customer service to re-activate your security system.

SimpliSafe's moving policies

Reader favorite
Shows a line-up of sample equipment found in a SimpliSafe home security system: base station, keypad, alarm, camera, and smoke detector

Image: SimpliSafe

Equipment policy: SimpliSafe is one of the easiest home security companies to work with when it comes to moving to a new residence. This company offers wireless DIY home security solutions, which means moving your security system from one home or apartment to another is as simple as loading up the equipment and taking it with you.

Contract policy: SimpliSafe doesn’t require long-term agreements for its professional monitoring services—you can pay month to month. You also purchase your home security equipment outright, which means it’s yours to take with you when you move. But if you are moving with a SimpliSafe security system, don’t forget to update your contact information to avoid a disruption in your service.

Cove's moving policies

Best customer experience
Shows a line-up of equipment found in a Cove home security system, including a key fob, control panel, motion sensor, and two contact sensors.

Image: Cove

Equipment policy: Cove prides itself on being one of the easiest security systems to install yourself, and removing and reactivating Cove sensors is just as easy. You can take all Cove equipment with you when you move.

Contract policy: Cove is a no-contract home security company. All you need to do is contact customer service to update your address once you move.

ADT's moving policies

Most experienced
""

Image: ADT

Equipment policy: You can’t take your existing ADT security system with you. But you can ask ADT about relocation credits and discounts on a new home security system—as long as a few stipulations listed below are met.

Contract policy: ADT offers the Mover’s Package Guarantee to any current or previous customers who are in good standing with the company and have had active monitoring services for a period of at least 24 consecutive months. If you cancelled your ADT service, this offer is valid for two years after cancellation as long as your account was in good standing.

Abode's moving policies

Best DIY automation security system
Shows a line-up of sample equipment found in an Abode home security system: the Iota gateway, motion sensor, key fob, contact sensor, and mini contact sensor.

Image: Abode

Equipment policy: Abode imposes no restrictions on moving its equipment. You're welcome to take everything with you to your new place.

Contract policy: Abode has no contracts and thus no contract policies. Just contact them to update your address so emergency responders go to the correct place if an alarm is triggered.

Ring's moving policies

Best outdoor cameras
Shows a sample Ring Alarm home security system package: a keypad, contact sensor, motion sensor, base station, and range extender.

Image: Ring

Equipment policy: All of your Ring equipment can go with you when you move. Just unplug it from the old residence and plug it in at the new. 

Contract policy: Don't worry about any contract restrictions from this contract-free home security company. You don't even have to call customer service to change your address—change it in the app any time.

ADT Self Setup's moving policies

Best optional monitoring

Equipment policy:  ADT Self Setup sells DIY wireless home security equipment that makes moving a breeze. Each component of your ADT Self Setup home security system is easy to uninstall and move to your new residence.

Contract policy: With ADT Self Setup, ADT does not require a long-term monitoring contract. The only task you need to add to your moving to-do list is contacting ADT to update your information to ensure monitoring services at your new place.

Wyze's moving policies

Best budget pick
Shows a Wyze home security system laying on a wooden table: A motion sensor, two contact sensors, the Wyze Sense Hub, a yard sign, and a key pad.

Image: SafeWise

Equipment policy: Wyze is a DIY-friendly company with no moving restrictions. Take all of the equipment with you, free of charge.

Contract policy: Because Wyze customers pay on a month-to-month basis, there are no contract restrictions for moving a Wyze system.

Brinks' moving policies

Most safety sensor options
Shows a line-up of sample equipment found in a Brinks home security system: touchscreen control panel, camera, motion sensor, door sensor, and Z-wave siren

Image: Brinks

Equipment policy: This is another home security company that loves DIYers. Because you can install and uninstall your security equipment on your own, moving your security system isn’t a problem. You can take your existing equipment with you. But if you want to customize your system to your new home, give Brinks a call to find out about adding additional security cameras or window and door sensors.

Contract policy: Brinks lets you take your existing contract with you right along with your security equipment. This company doesn’t charge any moving fees, and your monthly rate will stay the same as long as you don't add more equipment.

Rebecca Edwards
Written by
Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past decade. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime and safety reports and spotting trends. Her expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her expert advice and analysis in places like NPR, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, HGTV, MSN, Reader's Digest, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of podcast, radio and TV clips in the US and abroad.

Recent Articles

woman adjusting thermostat in bright home
The Best Home Security Systems of 2024
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...
Man and woman couple wife husband set up surveillance security camera
Best Apartment Security Systems
These renter-friendly apartment security systems help keep you safe and require less commitment than your...
diy-security-system-on-ipad
Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2024
SimpliSafe is the best DIY home security system because it's cost-efficient, effective, and easy to...
happy older women sitting together
Best Medical Alert Necklaces
If you find yourself in an emergency, a medical alert necklace can contact trained professionals...