UK households may be able to claim a refund of up to £180 on their BBC TV licence in seven different scenarios, according to TV Licensing. The annual colour licence costs £180 following April's price rise.
Refunds are normally calculated in complete months, and can be full or partial depending on the circumstances. The seven key reasons are listed on the TV Licensing website.
When a refund can be claimed
Refunds can be given where the licence holder ceases to use TV receiving equipment at their address. The licence holder should 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. If the licence is needed again before the expiry date, a refund will not be given.
Refunds can also be given where the licence holder moves to a different address covered by someone else's licence, such as a parent's or partner's address.
Errors and replacement licences
If a licence was bought in error, usually because the licence holder does not require the type of licence they bought, a refund can be claimed. If the error resulted from advice given by TV Licensing, the customer can claim up to six years' worth of refund.
Refunds can be given where a replacement licence has been bought, for example moving from a black and white licence to a colour one, or moving to an address covered by an ARC concessionary TV Licence. In this category, refunds cover complete unused months. If there is a delay in establishing eligibility, the customer can claim up to two years' worth of refund.
Blind concession and other refunds
A refund of up to half the licence fee can be given if a licence holder has a blind certificate but failed to claim the reduction. Evidence includes a certificate from a local authority, an ophthalmologist, or a tax coding notice from HMRC showing Blind person's allowance.
People who have properly claimed a blind concession may also claim a refund of 50% of fees paid on an expired licence, backdated to 1 April 2000 or the first of the month in which they became blind, whichever is later.
Refunds are also available in consequence of a free TV Licence application, covering each complete month remaining on the current licence. If the refund is due to the death of the licence holder, a claim may be made for any complete months left, and payment may go to the estate.
