More than 40% of people are not entirely sure about what the TV licence actually covers – meaning many may not realise they don’t even need one. As of April, the licences now cost £169.50 – a significant sum added to other annual expenses.
It’s vital, therefore, to check if it’s really necessary for your household. The licence is mandatory for anyone who watches live TV or uses BBC iPlayer, and failure to pay could result in a hefty fine.
However, a survey conducted earlier this year by FCA-regulated credit broker Viva Money found that some 43% of UK adults don’t fully understand what the licence entails. Those who primarily use platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, or catch-up services (excluding BBC iPlayer) might find they don’t need a licence at all.
This could mean they can cancel their payments and potentially reclaim their £169.50. So when is a TV Licence necessary?
All UK households must have a TV Licence if they watch or record TV programmes as they’re broadcast, according to the Express.
This rule applies to all programmes on any channel, from soaps and documentaries to films. Even if these programmes are broadcast live on a computer, laptop, tablet or phone, rather than a TV, a licence is still required to watch them.
Moreover, households need a licence to download or watch programmes on BBC iPlayer – whether it’s live, catch up, or on demand. The licence also covers online TV services such as ITV Hub, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV and Sky Go.
However, unlike with BBC iPlayer, a licence isn’t required if a person only ever watches catch-up programmes on these TV services. If you and anyone else in your home only watches catch-up TV, excluding BBC iPlayer, you don’t need a licence.
You also don’t need one to watch certain streaming services, like Netflix, YouTube or Disney+. But for those thinking about cancelling their TV licence, it’s crucial that everyone in the same household adheres to the rules.
How do I cancel my TV Licence?
To cancel a TV Licence, if you’re certain you no longer need one, you can inform TV Licensing by filling out a refund and cancellation request form. TV Licensing may then pay a visit to the address to verify if the decision is correct, and they state that these inspections find one in five households do actually need one.
If a licence is needed, the household will have to pay the full licence fee – and may risk prosecution and a fine. Fines vary depending on location and can see people in UK mainland face a penalty charge of up to £1,000, while those in Guernsey and Jersey could face fines of up to £2,000 and £500 respectively.
How to request a TV Licence refund.
If you no longer require your TV Licence and there’s at least one full month left on it, you can apply for a refund. As per the TV Licensing website, applications for refunds can be made up to 14 days before the licence is no longer needed.
The main circumstances in which refunds are typically 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.
If the licence has already expired, they may still be eligible for a refund, provided less than two years have passed since the expiry date. To apply, individuals must complete a short form and may need to provide evidence showing they no longer require the licence.
TV Licensing will review the application, determine eligibility, and calculate the refund amount, which is typically based on full unused months. Refunds are issued via cheque or direct deposit.
You can find your licence expiry date by signing in to your online account. Some people may also be able to apply for a discount on their TV licences, ranging between 50% and even 100%. You can find out more about discounts and who is eligible here