TV Licensing

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Your questions answered. TV Licensing FAQs in one place.

When is a TV Licence needed

Paying for and receiving your TV Licence

How much does a TV Licence cost?

How do I change my current payment method?

Can I buy a TV Licence for less than a year?

What if I'm having trouble paying?

How long will it take to receive my TV Licence if I buy it online?

How do I pay for a TV Licence?

When I pay for my TV Licence, will I be covered straight away?

How far in advance can I buy a TV Licence?

How do I pay at a PayPoint? Where's my nearest?

Can I buy a TV Licence for someone else?

How can I buy or renew a black and white TV Licence?

What if I’m on holiday and can’t pay?

Can I pay using the TVL Pay app?

Receiving your TV Licence

Switch to TV Licence by email.

I have lost my TV Licence, what do I need to do?

Struggling to pay?

What if I'm having trouble paying?

What if I’m on holiday and can’t pay?

Debt advice for customers paying by Direct Debit or payment card

Struggling to pay for your TV Licence?

Direct Debit

Can I pay monthly or quarterly by debit or credit card?

How does the quarterly Direct Debit scheme work?

Why are my payments so big? I chose to pay smaller amounts weekly/monthly.

I've missed a Direct Debit instalment. What do I do?

How can I view my payment plan to see my next Direct Debit payment?

How do I change my Direct Debit payment date?

TV Licensing payment card and savings card (cash plan)

How does the payment card work?

How do I apply for a payment card?

How can I pay towards my TV Licence using my payment card or savings card?

How do I apply for a savings card?

Can I pay using the TVL Pay app?

I need help using the TVL Pay app

My savings or payment card is lost, stolen, or damaged

How can I check my payment or savings card balance?

I've missed a payment card payment. What should I do?

My payment card won’t work. How can I contact you?

Can I pay, get reminders, and other information by text?

I am a cash plan's customer and I haven't received a TV Licence document yet. Is this normal?

Debit/credit Card

What types of debit and credit cards do you accept?

How far in advance can I pay for my TV Licence using a debit or credit card?

What happens to my data if I want to pay for my licence by card?

Reduced fee and concessionary TV Licences

Are there any concessions available?

Can you get a temporary TV Licence?

How much is a TV Licence for a single person?

Free TV Licence

Can I apply for a free TV Licence?

I'm over 74 but the licence at my home is in someone else's name. Can I apply for a free TV Licence?

As the licence holder, can I transfer my licence to someone who is eligible for a free TV Licence?

I'm over 75 and pay for my TV Licence. Can I cancel and get a refund?

Where can I find my National Insurance number?

What do I need to do if a free TV Licence holder dies?

Can I get a free TV Licence or short term licence if I live in Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man?

Guidance for people aged over 75

Could you get your TV licence for free?

Residential care homes

What is an ARC concessionary TV Licence?

How can I apply for an ARC concession or add residents to an existing scheme?

What are preserved rights for an ARC concession?

Cancellation and refunds

Cancellations

I'm moving to an address that already has a TV Licence. How can I cancel mine?

I’ve moved or I don't watch TV at my new address. How do I cancel my licence?

What do I do if a TV Licence holder is now deceased?

How do I cancel my Direct Debit?

I’m moving abroad – how do I cancel my licence?

I’m moving into a care home. Do I need to cancel my licence?

Refunds

How we work out refunds

How can I get a refund?

I'm over 75 and pay for my TV Licence. Can I cancel and get a refund?

When can I request a refund?

I have two licences for the same address. How can I claim a refund?

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

How can I get a replacement refund form?

Can I still get a refund on TV Licensing Savings Stamps?

View and update your TV Licence

Your TV Licence number

Does my TV Licence number stay the same from year to year?

How do I check when my TV Licence expires?

How can I find out my TV Licence number?

What do I do if a TV Licence holder has died

What do I need to do if a free TV Licence holder dies?

Updating your personal details

How can I find out my TV Licence number?

How do I change my name, address or other details?

How do I change my bank account details?

Moving home

How do I update my No Licence Needed declaration?

How do I notify you of my new address?

Can I transfer my TV Licence to another person?

What happens when I move home?

How do I change my address?

I’m moving into a care home. Do I need to cancel my free TV Licence?

I've moved. Do I need a new payment or savings card for my new address?

Businesses and other organisations

I'm a landlord - is it my responsibility to provide a TV Licence?

Does my business need a TV Licence?

How much does a Company Group TV Licence cost?

What is a hotel and mobile unit TV Licence and how do I apply?

What if we only have Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at our premises?

Armed Forces - Am I covered by the base's TV Licence?

About TV Licensing and the TV Licence

About the TV Licence

How much does a TV Licence cost?

How will you know if I don't have a TV Licence?

How long does a TV Licence last?

What are the terms and conditions of a standard TV Licence?

How do the detector vans work?

Can I have my TV Licence in a joint name?

Is there only one type of TV Licence?

What is a hotel and mobile unit TV Licence and how do I apply?

What is a BBC Licence?

Scams, security and other information

TV Licence scam emails and how to report one

Helping you avoid TV Licensing text and telephone scams

Debt advice for customers paying by Direct Debit or payment card

Struggling to pay for your TV Licence?

What is the TV Licensing Simple Payment Plan?

Do I need an application form to buy a TV Licence?

Is Value Added Tax (VAT) payable on a TV Licence?

Other websites offering TV Licensing information and services

Are there any restrictions about who can buy a TV Licence?

Is this site secure?

TV and radio reception

What happens to my data if I want to pay for my licence by card?

Contacting us and how we contact you

Contacting TV Licensing

How do I contact TV Licensing?

How do I report someone who is watching TV without a TV Licence?

What are your call centre opening hours and call charges?

How do I tell you about an unoccupied address or empty property?

How do I make a complaint?

Do you use a lasting power of attorney (LPA) service?

Emails and Texts from TV Licensing

Helping you avoid TV Licensing scams – and how to report one

Helping you avoid TV Licensing text and telephone scams

Customer satisfaction surveys

Letters from TV Licensing

I recently told you that I don’t use TV, why have you sent me a letter saying I must buy a TV Licence or risk prosecution?

I don't have a TV, why do I keep getting letters sent to me?

I've recently bought a TV Licence, but I’ve received a letter saying that my address is unlicensed. When will my purchase register on your system?

What should I do if I have received a letter for a previous occupier?

General information about TV Licensing is available in other languages:

Cookies on the TV Licensing website

TV Licensing

TV Licensing FAQs

Watching on TV and online

Other questions about TV Licence usage

No Licence Needed declaration

Second home customers

Students

Tenants & lodgers

Clubs and community groups