A standard TV Licence costs £174.50 per year, but those with a second home may need to purchase an additional licence, doubling the total cost to £349. This applies to anyone watching or recording live television, including via streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, or using BBC iPlayer at a second property.
According to official TV Licensing guidance, a second licence is required for houses, flats, bungalows, or cottages. The only exception is if you use devices powered solely by internal batteries and not connected to an aerial or mains electricity, in which case your main home licence covers you.
Different rules apply to touring caravans, static caravans, boats, mobile homes, and moveable chalets. In these cases, your main home licence covers you unless someone watches live TV or uses BBC iPlayer simultaneously at your licensed address. If so, you must complete a declaration form rather than pay for an additional licence.
The Government raised the standard fee to £174.50 in April 2025, a 2.9% increase linked to CPI inflation. The black-and-white licence costs £58.50. Failure to hold a valid licence can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 plus costs.
These rules apply to any device used to watch live channels or BBC iPlayer, including laptops and tablets. For further details, visit the official TV Licensing website.
