TV Licensing
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What to do if the licence holder dies
The government funded, free over 75 TV Licence scheme is being replaced on 1 June 2020.
The death of someone is always a difficult time. Bereavement affects people in different ways. If you are experiencing bereavement, we try and make it as simple as possible to make the necessary changes to the TV Licence.
If a TV Licence is still needed at the address
Anyone who was living with the deceased licence holder will still be covered by the current TV Licence. If the licence is not a free over 75 TV Licence, please send a short statement in writing that the licensee has died. Please also let us know the name of the bereaved person still residing at the address. Future correspondence about the licence will be addressed to them.
The address to write to is:
Customer Services TV Licensing Darlington DL98 1TL
A copy of the death certificate is not required.
If the bank account details for the Direct Debit need to be changed, please enclose these with the same letter. The bank account holder must also sign the letter.
If the licence is a free over 75 TV Licence
A free over 75 TV Licence will remain valid for that year. In the following year the person still residing at the address will have to renew the licence. If that person is, or will be, over 75 years old by the time of renewal then it is best to apply now for their free over 75 TV Licence. You can do this by using a Contact us form (in step 2 of the form click the 'Contact us' button at the bottom) to tell us their name, date of birth and National Insurance number. If the person still residing at the address will not be over 75 then we just need to know their name. We will send a renewal at the appropriate time.
You can also call us with the details on 0300 790 6165*. Find out more information on call centre opening times.
If the TV Licence needs to be cancelled
There may be a refund due to the estate. Refunds are calculated in unused months. You must have at least one complete month left on the licence that you won’t need before it expires. Find out how we work out refunds. Please request a refund if you are an executor for the estate.
To just cancel the licence, please use a Contact us form (in step 2 of the form click the 'Contact us' button at the bottom) to provide the title, initial, last name, address and licence number (where possible) of the deceased person.
If you still have questions take a look at TV Licensing FAQs where you can find all the answers in one place.
*Calls to our 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes with your mobile, calls to an 0300 number will be included.
