đ˘đ Change of Ownership (CHOWN) â sell a business, landlord change, restructure, or split services
Change of Ownership (CHOWN) â sell a business, landlord change, restructure, or split services
A Change of Ownership (CHOWN) transfers a service (or services) from one Pickle account to another. Itâs used when the
account owner is changing â for example, selling a business, changing landlords/tenants, restructuring, or splitting
services between parties.
Quick decision guide
You need CHOWN ifâŚ
- The service(s) must move to a different Pickle account / customer profile (a different individual, business, company
or organisation).
- Both the current owner and the new owner agree to the transfer.
You donât need CHOWN ifâŚ
- Youâre just changing a name (same owner, different legal name).
- Youâre correcting details (typo, DOB, spelling).
- Youâre changing authorised contacts/directors on the same business account.
- Youâre moving address (relocation), changing plans, or doing a migration/upgrade.
- Youâre transferring to/from another provider (thatâs a port-in/port-out, not CHOWN).
Before you start (what youâll need)
To complete a CHOWN, we need to confirm:
- Who is the current owner (the account the service is on today)
- Who is the new owner (the account taking over the service)
- Whether you are transferring all services or only some (âsplit servicesâ)
- Both parties can complete identity and authority checks
- The incoming owner may need to pass credit checks (where applicable)
Decision tree (common customer scenarios)
1) Are you the current owner of the service?
Yes â go to (2)
No â go to (5)
2) Are both parties available together right now (same call / in-store)?
Yes â go to (3)
No â go to (4)
3) Both parties available now (fastest path)
Weâll:
1. Verify the current ownerâs authority and identity
2. Verify the incoming ownerâs identity (and create an account if they donât have one)
3. Confirm which services are moving (all vs split)
4. Submit the CHOWN request and confirm next steps and timeframes
â
Best option if you want this done with minimal back-and-forth.
4) Current owner is alone (incoming owner not available)
We can still start the request, but to finish it:
- The new owner must contact us to complete their checks within 14 days.
Youâll be given a reference to pass to the new owner (this may be a transfer PIN for eligible services, or a case
reference depending on the service type).
â
Good option if youâre coordinating a settlement date.
5) You are the new owner (incoming owner) and the current owner is not with you
In most cases, the current owner must initiate the change.
What you can do:
- Ask the current owner to contact Pickle to start the CHOWN, then give you the reference so we can finalise the
transfer.
âSplit servicesâ (common for restructures and landlord/tenant changes)
If youâre keeping some services with the old owner and moving others to the new owner, tell us:
- Which services stay
- Which services move
- Any critical items like phone numbers, internet services, or bundles
Important notes:
- Some bundled services must move together (for example, certain internet + voice bundles canât be separated).
- Some products and add-ons may not be transferable and might need to be cancelled and re-ordered under the new owner.
What can affect eligibility and timing?
Business account rules (important)
- The request must be made by an authorised representative (and for some business types, we may need to confirm a
director/authority first).
- For some business structures (new trusts, partnerships, unincorporated associations, franchises, sponsored
organisations), the entity itself may not be accepted as the ânew ownerâ â an individual may need to be the incoming
owner.
Not all products can be transferred
Some items may not be transferable and might need a different approach (usually disconnect + new connection). Weâll
confirm this during the request.
Old/legacy services can take longer
Some older service types require specialist processing. Weâll still run the request, but it may involve additional steps
and longer handling times.
Special situations (weâll route you to the right team)
Some CHOWN requests canât be handled through the standard process and must be transferred to specialist teams,
including:
- Bereavement
- Domestic & family violence
- Insolvency / liquidation
If any of these apply, tell us early so we can move you to the right pathway.
Common questions
Will my contract transfer?
Often, the service can transfer, but contract terms and device repayments may be treated differently depending on the
service and plan. In some cases, the new owner must take a new contract, or the transfer must be done as disconnect +
new connection.
Can I transfer an upfront-style plan to a different type of account?
Sometimes an upfront-style plan canât be transferred to certain account types, which may require a new service order
rather than a direct CHOWN.
What about email/mailboxes?
Some mailbox transfers are handled separately from the core service transfer. If mailbox ownership needs to change, tell
us so we can include the correct steps.
How to start
If youâre the current owner, the best way is to contact Pickle with the incoming owner present (call or in-person). If
thatâs not possible, you can still start it and weâll provide the reference the incoming owner needs to complete it
within 14 days.