The TV licence costs £174.50 a year, but there are certain circumstances in which you could be entitled to a refund
The TV licence fee increased this year(Image: Getty)
Thousands of individuals could be in line for a refund on their TV licence fee if they meet certain criteria. Even though it’s a semi-controversial subject among Brits, in the UK, it’s compulsory to have a licence to watch or record live television, or to view any content – whether it’s live or catch-up – on BBC iPlayer.
This regulation also extends to laptops, computers, tablets, and mobile phones. In April, the BBC TV licence fee saw a £5 increase, taking it to £174.50, in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.
You don’t need a TV licence if you only watch programmes on catch-up using streaming services other than BBC iPlayer, according to the Manchester Evening News.
These include Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All4 and My5. However, if you decide to watch any live shows through these services, you would require a TV licence.
The Culture Secretary has left the door open to wealthier households paying more for their TV licence (Image: stockcam via Getty Images)
In June, a father won a court case against TV licensing after he cancelled his licence to watch streaming services.
Lee Stuart was taken to court for not paying his TV licence – despite having previously explained to a TV Licensing inspector that he didn’t need one.
If you feel like you could be entitled to a refund, read below to see the full list of those who qualify for a payment.
Full list of circumstances where you could be entitled to a refund
- You no longer need your licence and you have one month left before it expires.
- You no longer watch live on all TV channels, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer.
- You’re moving to an address that already has a TV Licence.
- You have two licences for the same address.
- The licence holder has died.
- You’re living with someone aged 75 or over who is eligible for a free TV Licence.
- You’re moving into a care home.
- You’re moving abroad.
Certain groups of individuals are eligible for a free or discounted TV licence. See if you belong to one of these categories.
People entitled to free or discount TV licence.
Only over 75s in receipt of Pension Credit currently receive a free TV licence, saving £174.50 on the annual fee(Image: Peter Dazeley, Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
- Over-75 and claiming Pension Credit.
- Students living away from home.
- People who are blind or severely sight-impaired.
- Living in residential care or sheltered accommodation.
If you’re found viewing television shows that need a TV licence, you could be penalised up to £1,000.
If you don’t require a TV licence, you must state so on the TV Licensing website. The TV licence can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.
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It comes after more than 6,500 people have signed an online petition urging the UK Government to fund the TV licence fee for all State Pensioners and those who reach the official age of retirement, which is currently 66.
The ‘Fund free TV licences for all pensioners’ petition has been posted on the UK Government’s petitions-parliament website.
At 10,000 signatures of support it would be entitled to a written response, at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament.
The UK Government has committed to increasing the BBC TV licence fee in line with inflation each year until 2027.
The rise from £169.50 to £174.50 in April followed years in which the licence fee was first frozen and then increased at a slower rate than the BBC expected, leaving the corporation increasingly cash-strapped.