TV Licensing

People could claim a refund if their living situation changes, with some eligible for up to £155

TV Licence holders could be missing out on a refund if their circumstances change. In certain situations, people may be losing out on as much as £155, and they can put in a claim for up to two years ago.

Consumer and lifestyle expert for ITV’s This Morning, Grace Forell, suggests more people could be eligible to reclaim a portion of their TV Licence fee. There are particular circumstances that people must satisfy to qualify – though she says these situations happen more frequently than you might think.

Brits require a valid TV Licence if they watch television and stream live broadcasts on services such as YouTube or Amazon Prime. Many people mistakenly believe the Licence isn’t necessary if they don’t watch BBC content.

Reclaiming the maximum portion of a TV Licence could see households receive up to £155, provided they hold a standard £180 colour TV Licence. The application process is available to anyone who meets the criteria.

The highest refund available is eleven-twelfths (11/12ths) of the total licence fee, which presently amounts to £155.37. Since a TV Licence refund is worked out based on complete, unused calendar months left on the licence, it’s impossible to receive a full 100% refund once the licence has commenced, reports the Express.

Grace said: “If you buy a licence and then your living circumstances change, you can apply for a refund for the unused months. Say you move into university halls and buy a licence, but then move back home nine months later, as long as your family home has a suitable licence, you can cancel yours and get money back.”

It’s not only students who stand to gain from this. Those who move in with a partner, friend, or family member who already holds a valid licence can apply for a refund on their own licence prior to relocating.

There is, however, one crucial condition that all those seeking a refund must meet. Grace confirms that refunds will only be possible if people have “at least one complete month remaining” on their licence.

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You can request a TV Licence refund online via the TV Licensing Refund Form, or alternatively, ring TV Licensing directly on 0300 790 6071. Applications can be submitted up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the licence. Should your refund be approved, your TV Licence will be cancelled automatically.

For most standard refund claims, TV Licensing states that customers can claim a refund for a licence that expired up to two years ago, with the refund still calculated based on “unused complete months”.

Those making backdated claims will need to supply evidence confirming the precise date they no longer required the licence, such as a tenancy agreement showing when they moved out. Speaking directly with TV Licensing can be particularly helpful for those in more complex situations, where additional proof may be required before a refund is released.

TV Licensing guidance offers details on how people could be entitled to a refund on their £180 TV Licence

Paying for a TV Licence is one of those things in life few people enjoy but must accept as just a rule you have to follow. A standard TV Licence will set you back £180.

But what not everyone realises that there are circumstances where that sum you’ve forked out can be refunded. If that happens, there is a process to go through, TV Licensing explains – and how much you might get in a repayment depends on certain factors.

Why would you be able to claim a refund, you might wonder. Well, if you do not need a licence any more before the one you have runs out, you can make a request for a refund – as long as there is at least 1 full month left on it.

Furthermore, if you meet the criteria for an over-75 concession, or for a blind concession, you can make a claim for a refund. And in those circumstances, you can do so at any point, regardless if how long you have left on your licence.

The TV Licensing website says: “Working out precise refund amounts can be complicated. But we will do it for you. We’ll look carefully at the information you give us and let you know if we can offer you a refund, and how much it will be.”

If you do not any longer need your licence, and it is found that you are eligible for a refund payment, the TV Licensing officials will make a calculation based on when the licence you have was issued, and when it expires.

Refunds are calculated in unused months. The rules say you could get a refund for anywhere between one and 11 months, depending on your situation.

If you want to sit down and look into when your licence expiry date is, it’s pretty simple to do so. Just sign to the TV Licensing website with your licence number, name and postcode.

If they decide that your claim is valid, and a refund payment is agreed, your licence ends at once.

Here is the full list of people who may be entitled to a refund on their TV Licence:

• The address is covered by another licence
• refunds for those who qualify for a blind concession
• TV receiving equipment is no longer in use
• Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application – payments are made for each complete month remaining on the current licence.
• TV Licence is bought in error
• refunds for those who do not need it before it runs out and there is at least one month left on it
• Refunds due to the death of the licence holder
• A replacement TV Licence has been bought
• refunds for those who qualify for over-75 concession

For more on refund rules on TV Licences and for information on who might qualify, go to the relevant section of the TV Licensing website here.

Pensioners could get it for free – saving themselves an annual fee of £180

Pensioners could be missing out on a free TV Licence – saving them £180 per year.

The standard annual TV Licence costs £180 for a colour licence. Meanwhile, a black-and-white licence costs £60.50, following an increase on April 1, 2026.

There are around 23.3 million TV licences in force – a fall of 539,000 year on year, according to a BBC report on July 14, 2026. This generated income of £3.9 billion, up £36 million year on year, “largely driven by the licence fee uplift.”

Pensioners could get a free TV Licence

You need a TV Licence to watch or record live programmes on any channel, including the BBC. A licence is also required to watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, whether you’re streaming live or watching a downloaded programme on a TV, computer, tablet or smartphone.

If you need one, you could get a free licence if you’re 75 or over and you get Pension Credit. You can also get a discounted TV Licence if you’re blind or live in residential care.

If you’re 75 or over, you could get a free TV Licence

You can get 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 covers everyone who lives at your address. If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply from age 74. You’ll still need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before you turn 75, after which your free licence will take effect.

TV Licensing notes that there are separate arrangements in place for over-75s on the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

If you don’t have Pension Credit but think you may be eligible for it, it’s worth checking, TV Licensing suggests.

You can apply online here. If you would prefer to apply for a free TV Licence by phone, call 0300 790 6117* to speak to an advisor. Lines are open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday.

*Calls to their 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes, calls to an 0300 number will be included free of charge.

If you’re in residential care or sheltered accommodation

You can get a heavily discounted TV Licence if you live in an eligible residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation. TV Licensing says that this is known as an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence and costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.

You must be either:

• retired and over 60
• disabled

You should speak to your care home managers to find out if your accommodation qualifies. They are responsible for arranging this type of licence, gov.uk advises.

If you’re registered blind

If you’re blind (severely sight-impaired) and can provide the required evidence, you can apply for a 50% concession. Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you.

A blind concession TV Licence costs £90 for colour and £30.25 for black-and-white annually. If you’re partially sighted (sight impaired), you’re not eligible.

If someone you live with is blind (severely sight impaired), you can apply for a blind concession, whatever their age. If you already have a TV Licence but it isn’t in the blind person’s name, you’ll need to transfer it into their name. You can do this by submitting a first-time blind application and entering the existing TV Licence number for your address when you apply.