TV Licensing

TV Licence refund and cancellation

See our frequently asked questions below.

I am moving, what do I need to do?

I’m moving to an address that already has a TV Licence

If someone at your new address already has a licence that will cover you, you can cancel your licence up to two weeks before you move.

You will normally be covered if the other person is your spouse, partner, family member or joint tenancy / joint mortgage holder.

If you’ll have a single tenancy agreement or are a lodger at your new address, you will need your own licence. In this case you should update your address.

I’m moving abroad

If you’re no longer going to be living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and you won’t need your licence again before it expires, you can cancel your licence and apply for a refund.

I’m moving home and still need a TV Licence

There's no need to cancel if you’re moving home within the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, you can simply change your address up to three months before you move.

Not moving in straight away? Tell us your new property is empty.

I want to pass my TV Licence on to someone else

You can transfer your licence to someone living at your address that is covered by your existing licence. You will need to give your written permission for us to transfer the licence.

Please write to us at:

TV Licensing
Darlington
DL98 1TL

Please include the following details in your letter:

• your name,
• address,
• TV Licence number, and
• the new licence holder’s name.

If you move out before the other person moves in, and a licence isn't needed at that address, you should cancel your licence.

Then the new resident will need to buy their own licence.

I’m moving into a care home

You should find out if your care home already has a TV Licence that will cover you. If it does, you should cancel your existing licence and may be eligible for a refund.

Find out more about moving to a residential care home or sheltered accommodation.

When should I cancel my TV Licence?

I no longer watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service or use BBC iPlayer

You can cancel your licence and may be eligible for a refund if, before your licence expires, you won't be:

• watching TV on any channel, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave and international channels
• watching TV on pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and BT
• watching live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
• using BBC iPlayer*.

This includes recording and downloading. On any device.

Cancel your TV Licence and apply for a refund.

*A licence is not needed to watch S4C programmes on demand.

How do I cancel my Direct Debit?

Please don’t cancel your Direct Debit if you'd like to:

• request a refund,
• apply for a different type of licence, or
• change payment scheme.

We will cancel your Direct Debit for you.

Cancelling your Direct Debit does not cancel your licence, so unless we hear from you, you will still receive the reminder letters we send to unlicensed addresses.

I want to apply for a different type of licence?

When you apply for a free TV Licence or a blind licence, you don’t need to cancel your Direct Debit. When we process your application we will cancel it for you and refund any money that we owe you.

I want to change my payment scheme or payment date?

Find out how to change your current payment method or change your Direct Debit payment date to the 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd of the month.

Find out about other ways to pay.

The licence holder has died

If the licence holder has died, please let us know.

Find out more about what to do if the licence holder dies.

I have two TV Licences for the same address

Some addresses need more than one licence, like those with tenants or lodgers.

If the second licence isn't needed, you can cancel your licence and apply for a refund.

I’m 75 years old or over, or I’m living with someone who is

If you (or someone you are living with) are 75 years old or over you could be entitled to a free TV Licence.

You don't need to cancel your current TV Licence when you apply for a free licence.

When should I request a refund?

When can I get a refund?

You can apply for a refund if:

• you won’t need your licence again before it expires, and you have at least one complete month left on it AND
• your licence expired less than two years ago*.

*If you’re eligible for an over 75 or blind concession, you can apply at any time and for any length of time left on your licence.

You can apply for a refund up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the TV Licence.

Apply for a refund.

What evidence will I need to provide when requesting a refund?

You may need to provide evidence which includes the dates reflecting the time of your refund request.

Find out about the different types of evidence we accept below.

A tenancy agreement This must be the section of the tenancy agreement showing the name of the tenant(s), name and address of the landlord or the letting agent, and the address of the property you are moving from. It should also show the start and end dates or termination clause of the tenancy.

A council tax bill This must show the dates that the address was empty.

A property completion statement This must show the date the property was sold, i.e. the completion date, and be on official solicitor’s headed paper.

A final water bill The only utility bills we can accept are water bills. It must quote ‘Your final bill’, show the final date you were billed and the address of the property you have left.

Proof that you were paying for more than one licence This could be a bank statement, credit card statement or TV Licence(s)

Confirmation of attendance at college/university This must show your term dates at college or university.

A Ministry of Defence (MOD) letter This must be on MOD headed paper, signed by the Senior Officer and show the date of departure or termination from the UK, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

A holiday home’s opening and closing dates This must be on official headed paper, showing the open and close dates of the holiday home. This will confirm that you won’t be watching or recording programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service at both properties at the same time.

A solicitor’s letter This must be signed on solicitor’s headed paper and show the date from which the circumstance was effective.

A redirection confirmation letter from Royal Mail This must show the date when the mail started being redirected and must have the name of the licence holder on the letter. It must also show both the old and new addresses.

A letter confirming admission into either a hospital or care home This must be signed on hospital or care home headed paper and show the date of admission.

Proof that someone aged 75 or over is now living at the address Proof that someone aged 75 or over who is eligible for a free TV Licence is now living at the address which clearly shows the date they moved into the address.

How long will it take to receive my refund?

We aim to process and issue refunds within 21 days of receiving your application. Any refund due to you will be paid to you by either a cheque or by BACS transfer directly into your bank account.

Your refund may be delayed if we have to contact you for more information.

How do you work out how much I am owed?

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.

Find out more about how we work out refunds.

What should I do if I have no evidence?

You can still complete a refund form. However, if you can’t supply any evidence to support your request, and you are eligible for a refund, you will only be refunded for up to three months. We will normally process the refund from the date we receive your application.

Apply for a refund.

What if I only need a TV Licence for part of the year?

You'll still need to buy a TV Licence. You can buy one online.

For any unused months remaining on your licence you can apply for a refund.

Can I request a refund for a TV Licence that has already expired?

If you are applying for a refund on a licence that has expired, less than two years must have passed since the licence expiry date.

This does not apply if you have a free or blind TV Licence. You can apply for a refund for any length of time left on your licence, and no matter how long ago you became eligible.

How can I find out when my TV Licence expires?

You can sign in and view your licence online. To do this you’ll need to enter your licence number, last name, and postcode.

Find out how to get your licence number.

I’ve already received a refund. Can I claim the difference?

No. We do not reconsider claims or change refund amounts once a refund has been applied for and processed.

Want more detail? You can read our refund policy.

Is the refund and cancellation form available in Welsh?

Yes, the refund and cancellation form is available in Welsh.

*Watching S4C on demand doesn’t require a licence.