People in UK can claim up to £180 BBC TV licence refund for 7 key reasons

Refund scenarios for UK TV licence holders

A TV licence is a legal requirement for anyone in the UK watching live television or using BBC iPlayer, regardless of personal views on the fee. With the cost of a colour licence now standing at £180 per year following a price rise in April, many households may be wondering whether they can get their money back if they no longer need the licence or if their circumstances change.

TV Licensing, the body responsible for collecting the fee, identifies seven main scenarios where a full or partial refund may be due. Refunds are typically calculated in complete months, meaning the amount returned depends on how much of the licence remains unused.

Discounts and who qualifies

Before considering refunds, the basics: A television licence is legally required for watching live television in the UK and for using BBC iPlayer in any capacity. Those who only watch streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon and never watch live programmes can go without a licence entirely.

A colour licence costs £180 per year following the April price increase. A black and white licence costs £60.50. Individuals who are blind or severely sight-impaired are entitled to a 50% discount, reducing the colour fee to £90. The over-75s can receive a free licence if they are in receipt of Pension Credit, while residents of sheltered accommodation or care facilities pay a reduced fee of £7.50.

Seven reasons to claim a TV licence refund

1. If you stop using television receiving equipment. A refund is available if the licence holder no longer uses TV receiving equipment at their address, provided they do not watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer, including recording or downloading content on any device. However, if the licence is needed again before its expiry date to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, a refund will not be issued.

2. If the address is covered by another licence. If you move to a different address where you will be covered by another person's licence, such as a parent's or partner's, you can claim a refund.

3. Where the licence was bought in error. If a licence was purchased in the belief it was needed but it was not, a refund is due. If the error was the fault of TV Licensing's advice, you may be entitled to a refund of up to six years' worth of licence payments.

4. When a replacement licence is bought. A refund can also be claimed if you have to buy a replacement for the same property, for example, when moving from a black and white to a colour licence, or vice versa, when moving onto an ARC concessionary licence, or for a hotel or mobile unit licence. In these cases, the refund covers any complete unused months left on the original licence. If there is a delay in proving eligibility, refunds can go back up to two years, and up to six years if the original licence was bought in error based on advice from the Licensing Authority or its agent.

5. Blind concession refunds. If you hold a blind certificate from a local authority or ophthalmologist but you failed to claim the 50% blind concession when buying your licence, you can claim a blind concession refund of up to half the fee. The refund is backdated to 1 April 2000, or to the date of the month you became blind if later. To claim, you need to provide a photocopy of evidence, such as a local authority certificate, a DHSS (Isle of Man) or Health and Social Services Trust (Northern Ireland) certificate, a certificate from an ophthalmologist, or a tax coding notice from HMRC showing Blind Person's Allowance.

In a twist to the usual rule, this type of refund may be paid to the licence holder even if they are not the blind or severely sight-impaired person, provided the licence covers the address, and satisfactory proof is given.

6. Refund for a free TV Licence application. If you are entitled to a free TV licence, for example as an over-75 on Pension Credit, and you apply for the free licence, you can get a refund for payments made for each complete month remaining on your current licence.

7. Death of the licence holder. In the event of the licence holder's death, a refund can be claimed for any complete months remaining on the licence, subject to conditions, and paid on death to the licence holder's estate.

How to apply

Most refunds are claimed by completing the appropriate form on the TV Licensing website. The exact procedure can vary and depends on which scenario applies, so check the online information. The refund is normally calculated in complete months remaining at the time the licence is surrendered.