can changing web host affect SERPs?

[kads]

my web host is dying and I need to change

if I change host, can this have a dramatic effect on my SERP's?

obviously, I will be going for a host that loads my pages as quickly as possible, but will getting a new IP address for the site cause any issues?

what about if that IP address has already been used in the past for another website? can any negative effects of that rub off onto my site? How can I protect my site against such an occurence?

thanks in advance

kads

[aristotle]

I've never lost rankings or traffic when I changed hosts. Once I even moved a site twice within a month without any problems.

[leadegroot]

It is very rare for a change of host to impact your rankings.
Those rare occurrences are due to technical issues with the new host, not due to some non-existant 'host change penalty' - choose a reputable supplier (hard to judge, I know!) and you shouldn't have a problem.