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For your home

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

  • watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
  • watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
  • download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

A standard colour TV Licence costs £157.50 and a black and white licence costs £53.

Pay for your TV Licence

There are some situations when you’ll need more than one TV Licence. You may be able to apply for a concessionary (reduced fee) licence.

Topics

Topics
Students Your halls of residence licence only covers communal areas. You’ll usually need a separate TV Licence to watch in your room. If you live in a shared house, you need to check that you’re covered in your room and communal areas. Even if your out-of-term address is licensed, you still might not be covered while you’re living in student accommodation.
Tenants and lodgers You need your own TV Licence if you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room. This will also cover the communal areas. If you have a joint tenancy agreement one TV Licence may cover the whole house.
Over 75 TV Licence

Anyone aged 75 or over and receiving Pension Credit is eligible to apply for a free over 75 TV Licence. Pension Credit can be in the name of the licence holder, or in their partner’s name if they’re a couple and live at the same address. Find out more.

Care home residents Residents, staff and residents’ families all need a separate licence for their own living areas. Residents may qualify for a reduced fee TV Licence.
Blind (severely sight impaired) You can apply for a 50% concession if you can provide evidence. Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you.
Armed forces In MOD accommodation, on or off base, you usually need to be covered by a TV Licence. Your home TV Licence doesn’t cover you while you’re living on base, unless your equipment is powered solely by its own internal batteries and not plugged into the mains.
Second home You may not be covered by your main home’s TV Licence. It depends on what type of second home you have.
Moving home If you have recently moved home, or you are just about to move, you need to let us know to make sure you remain licensed.

General information about TV Licensing is available in other languages:

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