A TV licence is legally required to watch live television in the UK and to use BBC iPlayer. However, TV Licensing identifies seven principal situations where licence holders can claim a full or partial refund, with a colour licence now costing £180 annually following April's increase.
Who qualifies for TV licence discounts
Certain reductions are available. Those using solely black and white televisions pay £60.50. Individuals who are blind or severely sight-impaired qualify for a 50% reduction, bringing the colour fee to £90.
Over-75s receive it free of charge if they're claiming Pension Credit. Residents of sheltered accommodation or care facilities pay merely £7.50.
Seven reasons for a TV licence refund
Refunds are typically worked out in complete monthly increments. The website outlines these qualifying reasons in detail.
1. TV receiving equipment is no longer in use – refunds are available where the licence holder stops using TV receiving equipment at their property. The licence holder must not watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer, including recording and downloading, on any device.
2. The address is covered by another licence – refunds are available where the licence holder relocates to a different address where they will be covered by another person's licence (e.g. parents' or partner's address).
3. TV Licence was bought in error – refunds are available in respect of licences purchased as a result of a customer error, typically because the licence holder does not require the type of licence they have obtained. If the licence was bought in error owing to advice provided by TV Licensing, the customer may claim up to six years' worth of refund.
Replacement licences and concessions
4. A replacement TV Licence has been bought – refunds are available where the licence holder no longer requires a licence because it has been superseded by a different type of TV Licence. This can apply if the licence holder moves from a black and white licence to a colour one, or vice versa, moves to an address covered by an ARC concessionary TV Licence, applies for a hotel and mobile units TV Licence, or is included on an application for a multiple form TV Licence. In this category, refunds may be issued for any complete unused months remaining, and if there is a delay in confirming eligibility, the customer may claim a refund of up to two years.
5. Blind concession refunds – a refund of up to half the licence fee may be issued if a licence holder possesses a blind certificate from a local authority or ophthalmologist but neglected to claim the blind concession reduction when their current licence was purchased. To be eligible, the customer must provide a photocopy of a certificate or document issued by a local authority in Great Britain, the DHSS in the Isle of Man, a Health and Social Services Trust in Northern Ireland, a certificate signed by an ophthalmologist (CVI or BD8), or a tax coding notice from HMRC showing Blind person's allowance.
Anyone who has legitimately claimed a blind concession may also apply for a 50% refund of fees paid on an expired TV Licence, backdated to 1 April 2000 or the first of the month in which they became blind, whichever is later. The standard rule stipulating that refunds must be issued solely to the licence holder does not apply in this instance.
Free licences and death of the licence holder
6. Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application – payments are made for each complete month remaining on the current licence.
7. Refunds due to the death of the licence holder – where a refund claim arises as a result of the licence holder's death, a refund may be sought for any complete months remaining on the licence, provided certain conditions are satisfied, and may be issued to the licence holder's estate.
