TV Licensing

Need more help or advice?

I’ve moved in with someone who already has a licence

• Are you covered by their licence? If the other person is your spouse, partner, family member or joint tenancy or joint mortgage holder, you will normally be covered by their licence. You can cancel your licence using our Contact us form.
• Tenant or lodger? If you’re going to be a tenant or lodger at the new address, you’ll usually still need your own licence. However, if you are covered by someone else’s licence, you can cancel yours using our Contact us form. If you do, please tell us what your relationship is with the licence holder.
• Applying for a refund? If you’re sure you don’t need your own licence anymore, you can apply for a refund online. When you apply, please tell us why you’re cancelling it and the date you won’t need your licence from. You can apply up to 14 days before you no longer need the licence.

Find out more about cancelling a TV Licence.

I want to transfer my licence to someone else

You can give us written permission to transfer your licence to someone at your old address. Please write to us at: TV Licensing, Darlington DL98 1TL.

I’ve moved abroad

• If you no longer live in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, and you don't need the licence again before it expires, you could be entitled to a refund. You can apply for a refund online.
• To cancel your licence without claiming a refund, complete our Contact us form.

Find out more about cancelling a TV Licence.

I won't be watching live TV on any channel or TV service, or BBC programmes on iPlayer, at my new address

You won’t need a TV Licence at your new address if you won’t be watching or recording programmes as they’re being shown on any channel or live on an online TV service, and you won’t be downloading or watching any BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

If this is the case, please tell us you don’t need a licence.

If you haven’t needed your licence for at least a month, you can apply for a refund.

I’m moving to university

It doesn’t matter if you’re moving to student halls, or a flat or house share. You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

Buy a TV Licence now, or find out more on our Students page.

I have a second home

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a holiday home or cottage, or a second home that you use yourself. You need to be covered by a separate TV Licence if anyone at this address watches or records programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

Buy a TV Licence now, or find out more on our Second home page.

I’m moving to a care home

Many care homes have a special type of licence that will cover you. Ask the manager if they have one.

If not, you’ll need to be covered by your own licence in your room, flat or bungalow to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

If you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide us with the appropriate evidence, you may qualify for a 50% concession. If you are 75 or over and receive Pension Credit you may be eligible for a free over 75 TV Licence.

Find out more on our care home page.

I’m in the Armed Forces

In Ministry of Defence accommodation you need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

Buy a TV Licence now, or find out more on our Armed Forces page.

I’ve received a letter for a previous occupier

You can tell us you’ve received a letter for a previous occupier by using our Contact us form. Just give us the name and address on the envelope, but please don’t open it. Once we have these details we will update our records.

Further help and advice

What if I'm moving home and still don't need a licence?

How can I find out my TV Licence number?