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TV licence: Can inspectors visit your house and what are their rights?

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The TV licence fee has been increased for 2021, meaning it now costs £159 a year to watch television in your home.

The fee pays for the BBC – so even if you just watch iPlayer or online shows via BBC Three , you’re not exempt from the fee.

While old-fashioned fears about mysterious figures in vans searching for errant households are a figment of the imagination, TV licence inspectors are a very real thing.

Find out what to expect if a visiting officer comes to your door.

Can TV licence inspectors visit your house?

Inspectors can visit your house, although you’re likely to receive a letter before this point.

You can refuse to let an inspector in, but this might lead to them getting a court order – which means they would be allowed to enter by law without your permission.

According to the TV Licensing service, letters are sent to all homes that don’t have a TV Licence , and may get ‘progressively stronger’ if no reply is received.

The service takes into account the possibility that people may have forgotten to pay, or simply don’t watch television .

However, if the letters are ignored, inspectors may come to investigate the situation.

What happens when a TV licence inspector visits your house?

If an inspector visits your home, expect them to look for evidence of a television set up – and ask you about whether you use catch-up services like iPlayer.

They will check for TV-receiving equipment, and ask for a signature from you, confirming their notes.

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Visiting officers may interview an individual they suspect to have committed an offence under the Communications Act 2003, but only after they have cautioned that person.

The visit is likely to be quick, and they should ‘avoid threatening or intimidating behaviour’.

What are the rights of a TV Licence inspector?

TV Licence inspectors can’t visit your house when you’re not present unless they have a warrant from a magistrate (or a sheriff in Scotland).

In these cases, the visiting officers will be accompanied by the police.

In most cases however, the inspectors will show you two forms of ID on your doorstep, and enter the property only when given permission.

They have to ‘respect people’s rights to privacy and confidentiality ’, but they may wear a body camera during the process.

MORE : How much is the TV licence fee in 2021 and what happens if you don’t pay?

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What To Do When The TV License Inspector Calls

The rules around TV licensing are old-fashioned and more complicated than you might imagine; in some cases, you need a license even if you don't have a tv, and in other cases, you can have a TV and not need a license. The key to deciding which camp you fall into is whether or not you watch terrestrial content as it is broadcast. If you do, the chances are you need a license. But in this age of catch-up, on-demand and Netflix, it's more likely than ever before that you can stay in touch with civilisation without needing a tv license at all. The TV License, currently set at £145.50 for colour and £49 for black and white (we said it was quite an old-fashioned system), is there to fund the BBC.

The beeb outsources the collection of the fee to third-party companies, including Capita. This, combined with the fact that one historically doesn't have a choice about whether to pay for the BBC, is why a lot of people object to paying the license fee. To be fair to the BBC, that £145.50 does include all live, online and radio content, so all told, it's not a bad deal, especially if you attend any of the free events, such as performances by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

However, you can consume all of that lovely, lovely content without necessarily requiring a license. If you have a television set but it cannot receive live broadcasts, you don't need a license. So, if your TV isn't connected to an aerial, digital or cable service, you don't need a license. You may wish to pay for one anyway since you are still using BBC content, but you don't need one. Similarly, if you don't own a TV but do use iPlayer, radio and online content, you don't need a license, provided you don't watch live broadcasts from any terrestrial broadcaster, not just the BBC.

You don't need to buy a TV License if...

• * You don't own a TV set and don't watch live terrestrial TV broadcasts.
• * Your TV is used solely for watching catch-up and on-demand content.
• * You are over 75. You still need a license, but it's free.

You do need to buy a TV License if...

• * You watch live broadcasts of any type on any device.
• * You record live broadcasts of any type on any device.
• * You pay to watch TV as it is broadcast, for example, pay-per-view boxing.

What to do if TV Licensing comes to your home

So you've double-checked and are sure you don't require a license, but you still get letters from TV Licensing. Some of the letters may threaten you with a visit from enforcement officers. You can safely ignore these letters if you are sure you don't require a license, or you can respond and advise TV Licensing that you don't require a license (there's a section on the enclosed form for that).

However, you may find that TV Licensing wishes to conduct an inspection. They make a big play out of their spy gadgets that let them check in on who is watching live tv. That's fine; they can do that all day long, but what they can't do is enter your home. Under no circumstances (even if you are illegally watching TV, not that we'd ever condone that) do you have to let inspectors into your home. A number of people have taken to recording enforcement office visits and posting the footage online to instruct others on how to handle similar situations.

The easiest way to get rid of a TV Licensing inspector is to tell them that you revoked their implied right of access. The implied right of access is there so that people with legitimate reasons to enter your property, such as delivery men or milkmen, can do so without fear of prosecution. Withdrawing this implied right confirms that you are not prepared to allow them into your home or to call at your door and that you've done your homework on your rights as an occupier.

They know that if they continue to visit your property after you've revoked their implied right of access, you will be well placed to sue for trespass and/or harassment. You can also do this by writing a letter to TVL, but to do so, you'll need to confirm your own name and address, which is not something everyone is comfortable with.

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The TV licence fee scandal: why are 1,000 people a week being casually criminalised?

Each year, tens of thousands of UK citizens are charged with non-payment of their TV licence fee – from the man who missed payments while in hospital, to a woman with a brain injury who forgot to pay

I t was autumn 2020 when someone from TV Licensing knocked on Josiane’s door. She was on maternity leave with her daughter, who was born that January, and had recently moved into a flat of her own, having previously lived in shared accommodation. Her first thought was: “I don’t want to get Covid,” she remembers. “I was terrified of getting ill. I was a single parent, I didn’t have family around, what would happen to my baby?”

She had bought a TV two weeks earlier, but was unaware that she needed a licence for it. “It had always been in my rental agreement,” she says. I meet her in a cafe in Basildon, near her home, with her daughter, who has just turned four, and her boyfriend, Giuseppe. “Maybe people who were born here know these things,” she says, and Giuseppe chips in, “it’s not something they teach you when you move to the UK.”

TV Licensing’s prosecutions have targeted some shockingly vulnerable people. One man’s licence ran out while he was in hospital for 11 weeks, and despite renewing it as soon as he was discharged, he was prosecuted six days later. One woman with a brain injury was prosecuted when she forgot to pay. Many of the most egregious cases have been collated by the Evening Standard’s courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk , the Alan Bates of, not just TV licensing, but the entire Ministry of Justice, who refuses to let “conveyor belt justice” go. Kirk refers to the Single Justice Procedure (SJP), which was brought in for minor criminal offences in 2015 and replaces the open court – consisting of two or three magistrates, a legal adviser and a prosecutor – with one magistrate, often working from home, and one legal adviser. You cannot watch these proceedings, and often a magistrate will hand out identical fines for quite different offences. TV licence offences are just one area of injustice: campaigners against the procedure are also very sceptical about the punishments that were handed out during Covid.

Kirk describes cases that, honestly, if you’re a person who believes themselves to be living under the rule of law, will put hairs on your chest. “The one that always comes to mind was a woman with Down’s syndrome,” he says. “Greenwich council pleaded guilty on her behalf, because it manages her finances. Any prosecutor looking at that would think: ‘Hang on a minute, this woman doesn’t have control over her own finances. At the very least, we need to investigate more.’ But a prosecutor wasn’t involved. They can, as I understand it, log on to the system and look at the mitigation. But they don’t.”

Since the prosecutor is no longer at the hearing, all those mitigating circumstances – the mental health problems, the learning disabilities, the illness, which TV Licensing might once have heard, and maybe responded to with an application to adjourn – are now only seen by the magistrate, who can’t withdraw the case. “They could refer it to open court, but by and large they don’t,” Kirk says. “That’s where I see the big flaw in the system, you’ve got no prosecutor in the room or involved at all, and magistrates who don’t think they can do anything about it.”

A TV Licensing spokesperson said: “We will not prosecute anyone if we receive evidence that shows us there are significant reasons – such as mental health issues or severe financial hardship – why they could not obtain a licence.” You can sympathise with their predicament, even. By the time the mitigating circumstances come to light, if they ever do, under the SJP, the prosecutor is no longer involved.

I realise when I meet Josiane how sick I am of words such as “victim” and “vulnerable”, which seem to distribute responsibility evenly across unjust situations. Yes, she was the victim of a faceless and unresponsive bureaucracy, and technically, yes, as a migrant single parent, she was also vulnerable. But she is a robust and competent person and none of this situation was of her making.

The man who came to visit her from TV Licensing was reassuring, and advised her to use PayPoint, a system where you pay bills at a corner shop. It wasn’t convenient in the middle of a pandemic with a baby. “I told the BBC I wanted to set up a direct debit, and I got a confirmation email.” Only one payment was ever taken. “It’s one of those small bills, you don’t think too much about it. So I didn’t check after that.” Then in March 2021, she received a letter. It read “How do I appeal?” She thought: “Appeal what?”

Like nearly 1,000 people a week, 70% of them women, Josiane had been prosecuted for TV licence fee evasion. It is the most common crime in the country, apart from driving offences. A fifth of all criminal prosecutions brought against women are by TV Licensing, which has extraordinary explicit powers – it can apply for a warrant to search a property, for instance. It also has inferred powers: people generally accept their doorstep interrogation, even while legally licence-free people (those who only watch streaming services to which they’re subscribed, for instance) are under no obligation to do so.

Tara Casey, a lawyer for the Women’s Justice Initiative at charitable law practice Appeal was working on an ultimately successful campaign to prevent imprisonment for non-payment of council tax when she first became interested in TV licence prosecutions. Even though numbers dipped a little during Covid, “we are still looking at tens of thousands of women each year facing criminal charges for not paying their licence fee.” The gender disparity was so obvious that the BBC conducted reviews in 2017 and 2023; and now, “the disproportionality is getting worse,” says Casey.

Peter Jones, 43, is based in Tyne and Wear and is the lead author of a TV Licensing blog , which aims to “highlight the unjust persecution of legitimate non-TV users”. Accidentally or not, he says it’s built into the system that those with the least will be caught in the net. “Those on lower incomes – generally unemployed people, single-parent households, elderly people, those suffering illness or disability – are more likely to be at home during the day if a TV Licensing officer arrives to make inquiries. For that reason they are more likely to be interviewed under caution and face prosecution for alleged TV licence evasion.” Ninety per cent of single parents are women , which might go part of the way to explain the very pronounced gender bias. In another case, one submission of evidence for the prosecution of a woman in Bristol read: “I am suffering from severe depression, since the loss of my daughter in 2022. I have no family or friends.”

The BBC told a select committee in 2017 that every 1% reduction in licence fee evasion raised £40.5m in revenue, so there is an obvious financial motive to prosecute as a deterrent. The evasion rate has been steadily climbing since Covid and is now at 10.3%; the cost-of-living crisis can’t have helped. Jones points out that BBC revenue has actually increased despite this, because of a £1.50 rise in the licence fee in 2021. It might be an idea to ask the people who can afford it to pay more, rather than hound and make examples of those who can’t.

This is more or less what TV producer Peter Bazalgette suggested last month , replacing the “regressive” flat fee with a tax in which the wealthier paid more, whether they had a TV or not. Bazalgette and broadcaster Greg Dyke recently had a debate in which Bazalgette also floated the idea of a German system, in which businesses paid towards the public broadcaster, as a contribution to civic society.

The situation as it stands has that unmistakable tang of a public-private partnership where civic values have fallen through the cracks. Whatever you think of the BBC, it takes its responsibility as a public service pretty seriously. It’s hard to imagine, if it were drawing up a system from scratch, that it would want to be the Sheriff of Nottingham, flexing its might by prosecuting a woman with learning disabilities who sometimes forgets what she is meant to pay (as detailed in one SJP evidence submission from County Durham).

The government scrapped plans to decriminalise licence fee non-payment in 2021 and TV licensing has been outsourced to Capita for more than 20 years, which has targets on reducing the evasion rate in its contract. The contract, worth £456m, was renewed in July 2022 to run until 2027. Jones also notes that individual TV Licensing officers “receive bonuses for any TV licence sales they generate during their visits. They can only generate a sale, and thus earn a bonus, if they take a statement from the occupier of an unlicensed property. This means that there is a pecuniary advantage for individual officers to gather evidence of evasion whenever they can – be that by hook or by crook.”

TV Licensing denies that it has any incentive to prosecute: “Neither TV Licensing as a whole, nor individual visiting officers have any incentives to achieve a certain number of sales or prosecutions, take a certain number of records of interview, nor generate court income.”

None of that means the BBC is forced to prosecute. Dennis Reed is director of Silver Voices , a non-profit campaign group for the over-60s. In July 2020, free TV licences for the over-75s were scrapped. “We had lengthy negotiations with the BBC director-general and his top team,” Reed says, but “so far, no success.” As a result of a Silver Voices campaign, “loads of over-75s refused to pay,” he says. He estimates that between 200,000 and 250,000 over-75s have not paid their fees since the free licences were abolished – and as yet there have been no prosecutions. Reed thinks part of that is about optics. “What would that look like, if they took an 85-year-old with dementia to court?”, he says, but adds: “If they’ve brought in an unofficial amnesty, without asking who else is struggling, how ethical is that?”

Josiane’s experience distils a Kafkaesque facelessness, once the gears of justice have been set in motion: “I was talking to the BBC, saying I was happy to pay, happy to pay a penalty. Money was a problem, but going to court would be more expensive, so I was prepared to borrow the money. I got through to people, but they constantly said: ‘I’m sorry I can’t help you. Maybe you could raise this with your lawyer.’ I didn’t understand why we couldn’t solve it. I thought, maybe it’s my accent. Am I not assertive enough? Am I not clear enough? It makes you feel sad, if you can’t reason with people. Maybe speaking to a machine would have been better.”

Penelope Gibbs is director of Transform Justice , and says there are two clear criteria for any prosecution: “That it is in the public interest, and that there is evidence of a crime having been committed. You can’t determine the public interest without having information about the person who is suspected of the crime.” This is where the SJP comes in, and it’s catching hundreds of thousands of people, most of whom don’t respond. It varies according to the crime, but in some offences, non-response rates are as high as 75%, all of whom will then be found guilty. “It’s ludicrous,” Gibbs says. “They don’t even know if the person received the prosecution notice, it’s not even sent via registered post. They don’t know if that person has mental health problems, doesn’t speak English as a first language, whether they are homeless. They don’t know any of those things.”

Kirk has taken this up as a cause, and explains: “The system was set up in 2015, the numbers have ramped up over the past five years and they are vast. There were three-quarters of a million cases in 2019, and this year looks like it’s also running at that speed.”

Josiane, with the help of Appeal, eventually got the charges against her dropped. “Everything comes with a blessing,” she says, with a baffling focus on the bright side. “I have learned a lot from it. I have met a lot of good people.” Her boyfriend, Giuseppe, is more sceptical. “She can set up a direct debit but she doesn’t trust it. So every month, she has this PTSD response: ‘Have I paid my TV licence?’” It’s slightly more than every month, Josiane admits, ruefully. “Every time I see the logo I get a flashback.”

• BBC licence fee
• UK criminal justice

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TV Licence Home Visits Are Back, In Pursuit Of Fee Evaders

The TV licensing inspectors, whose job it is to catch fee evaders, are now visiting homes again – following the suspension of their visits during the last lockdown.

The TV Licensing body normally employs visiting officers who are tasked with finding people who are legally required to pay the fee.

These visiting officers, upon agreement from the person living in the house, “take a brief view of the main living areas to verify whether or not television receiving equipment is installed or in use” (though safety restrictions have now been made – see ahead).

Earlier this year, we reported that those visits were suspended due to lockdown and covid restrictions – but we have confirmed with the TV Licensing body that their officers are making house visits again, in line with Covid restrictions and safety measures.

The TV Licence fee is used to fund the BBC, and currently stands at £159/year.  Anyone who watches the BBC live, or streams it via BBC iPlayer, has to pay the fee. 

Furthermore, if you watch any live TV from any broadcaster (even an international one) – you also need to pay the fee (See our full  guide on whether you need to pay the TV Licence fee  or not).

Failure to pay the TV licence fee is currently a criminal offence (though there have been ongoing talks about possible decriminalisation ), and evaders can end up paying a fine of up to £1,000 or even go to jail, in rare cases. 

What Are TV Licence Inspectors?

The TV Licensing body, along with Capita (a private contractor responsible for the enforcement of the TV licence fee), employ inspectors who are tasked with finding people who are trying to evade the fee.

In the past, they have also claimed to have sophisticated “detection” equipment, such as vans and handheld devices that, when in proximity to your house, can supposedly detect that you’re watching live TV (or the BBC via other means).

When an inspector visits your home, it’s up to the owner/tenant to allow the officer to enter the house, at which point the officer will take a look inside (searching for a TV), and will possibly interview the person who opened the door (depending on current pandemic restrictions).

The only case where an officer can enter your home without your permission, is when he is authorised to do so under a search warrant granted by a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland). He will then also be accompanied by the police.

TV Licence Visit Safety Restrictions

As mentioned, these home visits were suspended during the UK lockdowns. Recently, however, they have returned – with some restrictions still in place.

A BBC spokesperson told Cord Busters that Visiting Officers have received comprehensive safety training, and are equipped with masks, gloves, sanitisers and wipes.

Additional new measures have been introduced to protect both staff and the customers, such as maintaining a 2-meter distance at all times and not entering people’s homes.

The BBC say they “will continue to follow government guidance to ensure that all visits are safe and Covid-secure”, which may also suggest in-home inspections will return at some point.

What About Home Visits For The Over-75s?

As we reported yesterday, there have also been enforcement changes with the Over-75s population, who are no longer exempt from paying the licence fee (unless they receive Pension Credit).

The BBC announced that the extended transition period is now over, and “reminder” letters will be sent to homes of those who haven’t settled their licence yet.

It remains unclear whether home visits for the over-75s will take place, and in what form exactly.

The BBC tells us that no visits have been authorised so far. However, in the autumn, the BBC will start implementing “customer care visits”, which are meant to “support older customers who require further assistance. 

“Customer care visits differ from enforcement visits, as they have been carefully designed for those who may require further assistance in making arrangements for their TV Licence, and they will be carried out by a specially trained customer care team.”

It remains to be seen how these visits will differ, in practice, from regular home enforcement visits.

You can find out more information about home visits on the official TV Licensing website .

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TV Licensing - FAQs

Viewing tv legally without a tv licence.

What is Live TV?

Live TV is scheduled content that is viewed or recorded at the time of broadcast, such as News at Ten.

What is On-Demand TV?

On-Demand TV is unscheduled content that can be viewed over the internet at any time.

What can I view without a TV Licence?

You can view all on-demand TV content except for BBC iPlayer. This includes Catch-up TV such as ITVHub, All-4, My-5 and On-Demand providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and YouTube.

What can I not view without a TV Licence?

It is illegal to view, record or download any live broadcast TV or BBC iPlayer without a TV Licence.

What about On-Demand internet services that provide a little live TV?

You can subscribe to on-demand services that feature a minority of live TV, such as Amazon Prime, but you must avoid the live content and only watch on-demand content if you do not have a TV licence. You should completely avoid internet apps and services that provide 100% live content.

What is BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer is the BBC's own On-Demand channel and cannot be viewed, recorded or downloaded without a TV licence.

Can I view Sky and Virgin satellite channels without a TV licence?

No, it is illegal to view or record live satellite TV without a TV licence.

Can I view Sky and Virgin broadband content without a TV licence?

Yes, you can view non-live, on-demand Sky and Virgin broadband content without a TV licence.

Can I view the BBC website without a TV licence?

Yes, you can view anything over the internet, including the BBC website, without a TV licence, so long as you avoid any live streamed content and do not access BBC iPlayer.

TV equipment legal requirements

Do you require a TV Licence to own a television?

No, you do not require a TV Licence simply to own a television.

How can I make my television set safely legal without a TV licence?

• Remove any TV aerial or satellite cables from the TV and place them beyond practical use.
• Remove any live TV viewing or recording boxes and equipment from your TV unit.
• Detune your TV of any live channels.

How do I detune my TV of live channels?

To detune your TV set of live TV channels, use either of the following two methods:-

• Go into the TV menu system and perform a “Factory Reset”.
• Remove the aerial cable then go into the TV menu system and run the channel finding function. No channels will be found which should effectively clear your TV of any tuned live channels.

Be sure to test your TV after detuning it to ensure that no live TV channels can be viewed.

What about the BBC iPlayer App?

• Some Smart TVs and On-Demand TV Sticks and Boxes come with the BBC iPlayer app pre-installed and on some models the app cannot be removed.
• Be sure to delete any existing BBC iPlayer accounts on the BBC website.
• Any BBC iPlayer apps that cannot be deleted can then simply be ignored and never used.
• The BBC iPlayer app cannot be used without an online BBC account so not having an account at all prevents accidental access.

Should I blank off my TV aerial and satellite wall sockets?

You can block off your TV aerial and satellite wall sockets with blanking plates to prevent them from being used. In the case of a loose TV aerial or satellite cable coming into the building, you can snip off the connector socket. This step is recommended but is not legally required if you do not have a TV licence.

Should I remove my TV aerial and satellite dish from the outside of my property?

No, this is not necessary to remain within the law without a TV licence.

What about DVD players and games machines?

You are allowed to watch DVDs and play video games without a TV licence so DVD players and games machines are fine and legally safe to have installed. Be sure that games machines are not set up to view or record live TV or BBC iPlayer.

TV licence enforcement

Should I be worried about the law if I do not have a TV licence?

If you are abiding by the law in relation to TV licensing and sticking to the rules regarding live TV and BBC iPlayer, then you should have no fear of the law.

Do you have to speak to a visiting TV Licence Inspector who knocks on your door?

No, there is no legal requirement to consent to an interview on your own doorstep. You are legally entitled to say nothing and close the door.

Do you have to sign any document if requested to do so by a TV Licence Inspector?

No, there is no legal requirement to sign any document or written statement if requested to do so by TVL. Be aware that you might be requested to sign a written statement that could incriminate you and subsequently be used against you in a court of law.

Does a TV Licence Inspector have a right to enter a house without a search warrant?

No, TVL has absolutely no right to enter your home without a search warrant unless voluntarily invited by you to do so. TVL must also leave your property immediately at your request.

Can I film TV Licence Inspectors on my doorstep or inside my house?

Yes, you are legally allowed to film TV Licence Inspectors inside and outside your property. You can film a routine visit by TVL and also film the execution of a search warrant for your own legal protection.

When can TV Licensing obtain a search warrant?

If TV Licensing believes it has credible evidence that a person is illegally viewing or recording live TV or viewing or downloading BBC iPlayer, it can apply to a magistrate for a search warrant. A search warrant enables TVL to gain access to a property to inspect television equipment.

How many TVL search warrants are issued every year in the UK?

This is an unofficial estimate and we cannot be 100% sure of the actual total, however, search warrants are difficult to obtain and expensive to carry out. It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll have a warrant issued against you unless TVL has enough evidence to convince a magistrate there is a very high likelihood you are viewing live TV or BBC iPlayer.

What if TV Licensing calls with a search warrant?

• You should ask for the TV Licence Inspector’s ID card.
• TVL will likely be accompanied by the police, to prevent a breach of the peace.
• If you refuse your name, the police can technically arrest you to establish your identity but this rarely if ever happens.
• You may be charged with obstructing the warrant if you refuse your name, prevent TVL from entering your property or verbally or physically prevent them from inspecting your television equipment.
• There is no legal requirement to answer any questions that are not directly related to the testing of television equipment so keep your answers simple and to the minimum of information required only for TVL to inspect your TV.
• There is no legal requirement for you to sign any written statement or other document and it is suggested that you don’t under any circumstances do so.
• TV Licensing is only allowed to physically check your TV and TV recording equipment, not any computers or mobile phones but they will note if they are attached to a live TV feed.
• You may be requested to turn on your television; if you refuse then TVL may attempt it themselves.
• If you are not found to have committed any TV Licensing related offences and have not obstructed TVL in executing the warrant then you should not be prosecuted.

TV licence cancellation

When should I cancel my TV licence?

Cancelling a TV licence is a matter for the individual. It is strongly recommended that after cancelling, a person should avoid viewing, recording or downloading live TV or BBC iPlayer to avoid any possibility of prosecution.

How do I cancel my TV licence?

You can cancel your TV licence online, over the phone or in writing as follows:-

• TVL Website: TV Licence refunds and cancellation
• For Direct Debit, call 0300 790 0368.
• For TV Licensing payment card (cash plan), call 0300 555 0286.
• TV Licensing, Darlington DL98 1TL.

Can I claim a refund when I cancel my TV licence?

Yes, you can claim a refund if money is owed to you.

What happens when I cancel my TV Licence?

• You will be asked to make a declaration stating that you do not require a TV licence.
• You will be asked to renew the above declaration every two years.
• You should request a refund if you think you are owed money by TVL.
• You may be asked to provide a written statement that you no longer require a TV licence.
• You may be asked some questions about your viewing habits, but not always.
• After your TV licence has been cancelled, you can cancel your direct debit.
• A matter of weeks later, you should receive any refund that is owed to you.
• You should receive no more letters asking you to renew your licence but some people still do.
• You will be told that a TVL Licence Inspector may visit to inspect your television equipment but this does not always happen.

Further reading

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TV Licensing

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TV Licences Explained: Everything You Need to Know

• What is a TV License?
• Why do I need a TV License?
• What does it cost?
• Is it worth it?
• What happens if you don't have a TV License?

What is a TV License? 

TV licences exist to fund public broadcasting services and are a legal requirement to watch any linear broadcast live. In other words, if you want to watch the footie live, you’ll need a TV licence.  

The revenue generated from TV licences is used to support the production of high-quality programmes, maintain broadcasting infrastructure, and promote cultural diversity. This makes sure viewers like you can enjoy a wide range of content, including educational programmes, news, and entertainment. In other words, TV licences keep the telly you love on your screens.  

For more information, check out the official TV Licensing website.

What can't you watch without a TV Licence? 

Without a valid TV licence, you may face restrictions on watching or recording live television broadcasts. Here are the key things you need to know: 

Live TV Broadcasts: You need a TV licence to watch any live telly. Any programme that's simultaneously aired on a television channel, be it news, sports, or entertainment, falls under this category.  

BBC iPlayer: If you're in the UK, having a TV licence is typically required to access its online streaming services, such as the BBC iPlayer. This applies to both live broadcasts and catch-up content.  

Recording: Without a licence, you also can’t record live broadcasts to watch later.  

It's worth noting that a TV licence is not required in the UK for non-live streaming services like ITVX, Channel 4, Netflix, Prime Video, or other subscription-based platforms. BBC iPlayer is the only streaming service you need a TV licence for – however, you can’t watch anything live on other On Demand apps .  

How much does a TV Licence cost?

In the UK, the current cost of a standard colour TV licence is £159 per year for households watching or recording live television broadcasts. This fee helps finance the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and its channels, radio stations, and online platforms. That’s why you don’t see any commercial ads on the BBC.  

You can spread this cost out by paying monthly or quarterly by Direct Debit. If you choose to pay monthly, you’ll pay around £26.50 a month for the first 6 months, and then just £13.25 a month after that.* 

There are a few other payment options depending on your circumstances, such as if you only need a black and white license which is cheaper at just £53.50 a year. You may also qualify for a free TV license if you're aged  75 years or older , or a 50% concession if you're severely sight impaired . 

Find out more about getting set up and how to pay for your TV licence .  

* Price and regulations accurate at time of writing (03.07.2023)  

Is having a TV Licence worth it? 

Now that we've covered the basics, let's look at why having a TV licence is worth it: 

Supports Public Broadcasting: TV licences help sustain public broadcasting services on the BBC, which aim to serve the public interest. These services give us unbiased news coverage, educational programmes, and culturally significant content. Check out what’s new on BBC this month.  

Ad-Free Viewing: Public broadcasters like the BBC also operate without commercial advertising. This means you can enjoy uninterrupted viewing without frequent interruptions for advertisements, allowing you to immerse yourself in the content without distractions. 

Promotes Local Content: TV licence fees contribute to the creation of local content and support local talent. 

What happens if you don’t have a TV licence? 

You don’t need a TV licence to watch telly if you’re only watching catch-up on platforms such as ITVX, Channel 4, Netflix or Prime Video.

However, to watch anything on BBC iPlayer or any live broadcasts (even if you’re watching live via an On Demand app), you’ll need a TV licence.

You also can’t record live broadcasts to watch later.  

If you’re found to be watching live broadcasts or iPlayer without a licence, you’ll risk going to court and a potential £1,000 fine . 

To sum up, getting a TV licence comes with some great perks! You get access to top programming, support public broadcasting, enjoy ad-free viewing, promote local content, and contribute to meaningful public service initiatives. It also means you can enjoy all the telly you love, both live and on BBC iPlayer. Just remember to stay in the loop about the specific rules and costs in your area so you can keep enjoying your favourite shows hassle-free. 

Find out the latest information on TV Licences on the official website www.tvlicensing.co.uk .  

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• Find a licence

You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they're broadcast, and to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer

Apply for this licence

Start now on the TV Licensing website

You need a TV Licence if you:

• watch or record live TV on any channel or service
• use BBC iPlayer

You may be able to get a free or discounted TV Licence if you’re 75 or over and get Pension Credit, or if you’re blind or in residential care.

You do not need a TV Licence to watch:

• streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
• on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
• videos on websites like YouTube
• videos or DVDs

How much it costs

A TV Licence costs £169.50 (£57 for black and white TV sets) for both homes and businesses.

If you live in a shared household

You need your own TV Licence if you have separate tenancy agreements and you watch TV in your own room.

You can have one TV Licence for the whole household if you either:

• watch TV in a single shared area
• have a joint tenancy agreement

If you’re living in university accommodation you’ll need a TV Licence to watch TV in your own room. Shared areas may already be covered by a TV Licence.

If you live at another address outside of term time, you can use its TV Licence while you’re at university on any device that’s:

• battery powered
• not plugged in
• not connected to an aerial

If your business offers overnight accommodation, for example a hotel, you need a TV licence for guests to watch TV in their room. A single TV Licence will cover up to 15 rooms or accommodation units.

Change or cancel your TV Licence

If you move home you can update your address on the TV Licencing website .

You can cancel your TV Licence or apply for a refund on the TV Licencing website.

Apply by phone

TV Licensing Telephone: 0300 790 6071 Minicom: 0300 709 6050 Find out about call charges

Fines and penalties

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you watch or record live TV without a TV Licence.

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A tv licence is required in the uk if you watch or record live tv on any device, including a tv, mobile phone tablet or a computer., licence name, apply for a new tv licence.

• Visit - https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/

Renew an existing TV Licence

How to apply, what is a tv licence.

In the UK, you need to have a TV Licence to watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they’re broadcast, or if you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, live, catch up or on demand.

We make getting your TV licence a simple, stress-free process  ✅

The requirement to hold a TV Licence and to pay a fee for it is mandated by law under the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.

Since 1991, the BBC, in its role as the relevant licensing authority, has been responsible for collecting and enforcing the TV Licence fee. The billions of pounds generated by TV Licence holders in the UK goes towards all the BBC’s activities, including its family of TV channels, websites, BBC iPlayer and more.

A standard TV Licence costs £154.50  ✅

You can buy a TV licence online for the first time or renew an existing one on the TV licensing website using your credit or debit card. Alternatively, you can set up a direct debit which allows you to pay for your licence monthly, quarterly or annually.

To apply or to renew a TV Licence please visit the Official TV Licensing Website .

Fines and penalties

You could be prosecuted if you are found to have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000. This also includes any legal costs and compensation you may be ordered to pay.

Q. How much is a TV Licence?

A TV Licence costs £154.50 for a colour and £50.50 for a black and white TV Licence.

Q. How long does a TV Licence last for?

A TV Licence lasts for 12 months from the time you purchase. You will need to renew it every 12v months. Further information on how to renew your TV licence can be found HERE .

Q. What happens if I don’t have a TV licence?

If you do not have valid TV licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000. This also includes any legal costs and compensation you may be ordered to pay.

Q. Can I go to prison for not having a TV Licence?

No. You cannot be imprisoned for TV licence evasion in itself, although you can be imprisoned for non-payment of a fine imposed by the court.

Q. Do I need a TV Licence if I have a TV but don’t use it?

No, you do not need a TV Licence to own or possess a television set. However, you will need a TV Licence if you use that TV.

Q. I have a TV but don’t watch the BBC. Do I still need a TV Licence?

Yes, you still need a TV Licence, even if you do not watch any BBC channels. The licence fee is not a subscription to watch BBC programmes but mandated by law. Under the Communications Act 2003, the BBC in its role as the licensing authority has a duty to issue TV Licences and collect the licence fee.

Q. Do I need a TV licence if I only play video games such as Xbox One or PS4 on my TV?

No. You don’t need a TV Licence if you only use your TV for gaming. That’s as long as you never watch or record live TV on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies to any device you use.

Q. I only watch non-UK satellite programmes. Do I still need a TV Licence?

Yes, you still need a licence, even if you only watch or record programmes broadcast from outside the UK.

Q. Do I need a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer?

Yes. You are required to have a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer.

Q. Do I need a TV licence for Sky?

Yes. If you subscribe to Sky you must have a TV licence to cover your home.

Q. Do I need a TV license to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime?

No, you do not need a TV licence if you only ever use services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime to watch on demand or catch-up programmes. However, if you watch BBC programmes on iPlayer then a TV licence will be required.

Q. Do I need a TV Licence for Freeview?

No. You only need a licence if you actually watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer. So, if you've got an aerial on your roof/satellite dish/TV with built-in Freeview but you do not actually watch live TV, then you will not need a TV Licence.

Q. Do I need a TV Licence if I only watch DVD’s, Blu Ray’s or Videos on my TV?

No. You don’t need to buy a TV licence if you only use your TV to watch DVDs, Blu-rays or videos,

Q. I am a student. Do I need a TV Licence?

If you only watch programmes via catch-up websites or apps on computers or tablet devices, then you do not need a TV Licence.

Q. Do I need a TV license to watch videos on social media?

No. Watching videos on social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat do not require a TV Licence.

Q. Is a TV Licence just for TV sets?

No. TV licences cover other devices within the household, including desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games consoles, digital box and DVD/VHS recorder.

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Do i still need a tv licence in 2024, all the times you do, or definitely don't, need to have a tv licence.

Updated April 15, 2024

In this guide

When receiving a TV licence bill, you might wonder whether you can avoid paying it or if you can pay less. And the DWP has said thousands could be missing out on a free TV licence too. Here we explain when you need one, when you don’t, and if you can get a discount. 

The TV licence fee has just risen this April . If you don’t pay for it but watch, record, or download programmes illegally, you could face prosecution and even a hefty fine of up to £1,000 . 

However, there are also some circumstances in which you may be paying when you don’t need to or more than required, and so it’s worthwhile to be informed of them. 

In fact, the DWP itself has taken to social media pointing out people could be entitled to a free TV licence.

In this article, we cover:

• What is a TV licence used for? 
• Can I get a discount on my TV licence?  
• The consequences of not paying a TV licence
• TV licence discounts
• Do I really need a TV licence? 

How much is a TV licence in 2024?

The TV licence fee changed on 1 April, 2024. A colour licence now costs £169.50, while a black and white licence costs £57. You can apply for a licence easily online . 

There’s a 50% discount if you are blind (severely sight impaired) meaning a colour licence costs £84.75. 

If you’re 74 or older, and receiving pension credit , you can still get your licence for free.

The fee can be paid all at once, but most people choose to spread the cost over time with a direct debit.

You can also choose to pay by cheque or postal order , flexibly with a TV Licence payments card or even save up in advance for next year with a savings card .

Why do we pay for a TV licence, and what is it used for?

Your TV licence is required to view or record broadcast television in the UK, or watch iPlayer.

The money is used to pay for a variety of educational and leisure services provided by the BBC. TV Licensing says that 86% of the licence fee is spent on BBC TV channels, radio stations, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and online services. 

This means it’s used to fund everything from a BBC nature documentary to a CBeebies children’s programme and even an online BBC cooking recipe. 

Do I have to pay for my TV licence?

You will need to pay your TV licence if you’re doing any of the following things: 

• Using BBC iPlayer on any device 
• Using any device to watch or record TV on any channel on any TV service (like Virgin Media, Sky, and Freeview)
• Watching live TV on streaming services on any device (like YouTube, ITVX, All 4, and Amazon Prime Video)

Can I get a discount on my TV licence?

There is no financial help available for paying your TV licence if you’re on benefits or Universal Credit. However, various discounts and concessions are available. 

• If you don’t mind watching a black-and-white screen, the licence will cost you the lower price of £57
• If you’re aged 74 and over and you (or your partner living at the same address) receive Pension Credit, then you could get a free licence
• If you live in a care home or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to pay a discounted fee of £7.50
• If you’re blind, you can get a discount and pay a fee of £84.75

TV licences are for properties, not people, which means you could also pay less if you live in a shared household and either watch TV in a single shared area or have a joint tenancy agreement. 

What happens if I don’t pay my TV licence?

If you are found to have been watching, recording, or downloading programmes without a licence where one is required, you could be prosecuted. 

The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine (a maximum of £2,000 in Guernsey). You could also be ordered to pay for legal costs and/or compensation.

What if I don’t have a TV?

A TV licence is not just a requirement for watching TV but is also necessary if you use the included services on any other device.

If you watch live programmes on any TV channel, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer on any device, a licence is required. Any other device could mean a laptop, mobile phone, computer, or even a console. 

However, if you do find that you don’t do any of the above, you can let TV Licensing know by completing a No Licence Needed declaration. They even have an online checklist that you can complete beforehand to check if you definitely no longer need the licence. 

How about a black-and-white TV licence?

If you’re happy watching TV with a black-and-white screen, you can pay £57 for your licence rather than £169.50 for a colour licence. 

Do I need a TV separate licence for a second home, static caravan boat, or other location?

For a holiday home, bungalow, flat or cottage – if you have a TV licence at your main residence, and only watch TV on a battery powered device that’s not plugged into the mains (like an iPad for example) or an aerial, then you’re covered in your second home.

If you want to use a standard TV plugged into the wall or an aerial at the location then you need a separate licence. For boats, touring caravans or similar vehicles, static caravans, mobile homes or moveable chalets the rules are more relaxed.

In this case, your main licence covers you as long as no one is watching TV – on any device – in both places at the same time . If that happens, you’ll need to fill in a declaration form ( you can find them here ).

For other locations, the rules simply state you main licence covers you, as long as you’re only watching on a battery-operated deceive that’s not plugged in.

Do university students need their own TV licence?

As long as you’re watching TV on a battery operated device – a tablet, phone or laptop, for example – that’s not plugged in while you’re watching, you are covered by your parent’s licence (wherever you are). 

If not, the rules change depending on what your accommodation is like. If you are in student halls , and want to watch in your room, you’ll need a TV licence to do so. If you’re in a house or a flat share with separate tenancy agreements , you’ll need a TV licence each. If you’re staying in a flat or house with a joint tenancy agreement, then one licence will cover everyone there.

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