Some people don’t fully understand what the TV licence covers, meaning some households may not need one and could claim a refund
An unexpected four in 10 people don’t know exactly what a TV licence covers, meaning some may be paying for something they don’t actually need. The cost of a full-colour TV licence has risen to £174.50, while a black-and-white licence costs £58.50, applicable to both households and businesses.
Increased in line with inflation, this fee is another expense that many households simply cannot afford. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to check whether a licence is truly required, particularly as many families continue to feel financial pressure.
A TV licence is legally required for anyone watching or streaming live television or using BBC iPlayer, and failing to pay can lead to serious penalties. Despite this, research carried out by FCA-regulated credit broker Viva Money found that 43% of UK adults don’t fully understand what the TV licence actually includes, reported Teesside Live.
Those who mainly watch services such as Netflix, Disney+, or non-BBC catch-up platforms may discover they don’t need a TV licence at all. In such cases, they could cancel their licence and may even be eligible for a refund. All UK households must have a TV licence if they watch or record programmes as they’re being broadcast. This applies to all content on any channel, including soaps, documentaries and films.
This requirement still applies even if live programmes are watched on a computer, laptop, tablet or phone rather than a television. In addition, a licence is needed to download or watch any content on BBC iPlayer, whether it’s live, catch-up or on demand.
The licence also encompasses online TV services such as:
- ITV Hub
- All 4
- Amazon Prime Video
- Now TV
- Sky Go
However, unlike BBC iPlayer, a licence isn’t needed if someone only watches catch-up programmes on these services. If a household exclusively watches catch-up TV (excluding BBC iPlayer) and doesn’t view anything live, then a TV licence isn’t required.
Similarly, households don’t need a licence to watch certain streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube or Disney+. Anyone considering cancelling their licence should make sure that everyone in the household follows these rules.
How to cancel a TV licence
If a household is certain they no longer need a TV licence, they can inform TV Licensing by completing the refund and cancellation request form. TV Licensing may arrange a visit to the property to confirm the situation. It says that one in five inspections reveal that a licence is actually required. In these cases, the household would need to pay the full licence fee and could face prosecution and a fine.
Penalties vary by location, with fines of up to £1,000 possible in mainland UK, while residents of Guernsey and Jersey could face fines of up to £2,000 and £500 respectively.
How to request a TV licence refund
UK residents may apply for a refund if they won’t need their licence again before it expires and there’s at least one full month remaining. According to the TV Licensing website, refunds can be requested up to 14 days before the licence is no longer needed. Even if the licence has already expired, a refund may still be possible provided less than two years have passed since the expiry date.
The primary situations in which refunds are generally considered include:
- TV receiving equipment is no longer in use
- The address is covered by another licence
- The TV Licence was bought in error
- A replacement TV Licence has been bought
- Blind concession refunds
- Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application
- The death of the licence holder
To apply, individuals must complete a short form and may be asked to provide evidence showing they no longer require a licence. TV Licensing will assess the request, confirm eligibility, and calculate the refund, usually based on full unused months. Refunds are paid by cheque or direct deposit.
To check a licence’s expiry date, people can log in to their online account. Some may also qualify for a discount on their TV licence, ranging from 50% to 100%. More details can be found here.
If you’re 75 or over
You’re entitled to a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older and you either:
- get Pension Credit
- live with your partner who gets Pension Credit
The licence applies to everyone living at your address. You can apply when you’re 74 if you already receive Pension Credit, but you’ll still need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. From then on, you’ll be covered by a free licence.
If you’re registered blind
If you’re registered as blind or live with someone who is, you’re eligible for a 50% discount. The licence must be in the name of the blind person. If it isn’t, a new application can be submitted to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your current TV licence number when applying.
Apply for a licence if you’re registered blind on the TV Licensing website.
