How to Cancel Your TV Licence in the UK
Thinking of cancelling your TV Licence? Here’s a clear, up-to-date walkthrough covering when you can cancel, how to do it (online, phone or post), refund eligibility, and common edge cases like moving home or being a student.
First check: do you still need a TV Licence?
You must have a TV Licence if you:
watch or record live TV on any channel or service (including live streams on platforms like YouTube or live events on streaming apps), or
use BBC iPlayer to watch or download programmes on any device.
You don’t need a Licence if you only ever watch on-demand, non-BBC content (e.g., Netflix/Prime/Disney+/YouTube on-demand) and never watch live TV or BBC iPlayer.
2. If you no longer need one, choose the right route
Tell TV Licensing you don’t need a licence (“No Licence Needed”)
If your household doesn’t watch/record live TV anywhere and doesn’t use BBC iPlayer, submit a No Licence Needed declaration. This stops enforcement letters and updates their records. You can also update this later if your situation changes.
Move home? Transfer or cancel with refund
If you’re moving, you can change the address on your existing licence (up to 3 months before moving). If you won’t need it any more, you can request a refund up to two weeks before you move; if approved, TV Licensing cancels the licence automatically.
3. How refunds work
You can usually get a refund if:
you won’t need the licence again before it expires, and
there’s at least one full month remaining.
Exceptions: if you have an over-75 (Pension Credit) free licence or a blind (severely sight-impaired) concession, you can claim a refund at any time for any length left. Apply online.
Current fee (from 1 April 2025): £174.50 for colour; £58.50 for black & white. Blind concession is 50% off.
Evidence you may need (examples):
Moving/empty property dates,
Students: end-of-tenancy proof if leaving halls/rented term-time address and moving to a licensed address.
4. Step-by-step: cancel or claim a refund
Option 1 — Do it online (fastest)
If you don’t need any licence: submit No Licence Needed declaration.
If you’re eligible for money back: complete the refund application (you’ll confirm you won’t need a licence again before expiry and have ≥1 full month left).
Option 2 — By phone
General enquiries / cancellations: 0300 790 6071
Direct Debit payments queries: 0300 790 0368
TV Licensing payment card (cash plan): 0300 555 0286
Call centre hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 (closed weekends & public holidays).
Option 3 — By post
Write to: TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL (include your licence number, address, and reason for cancellation).
Tip: If you’ve set up a Direct Debit, TV Licensing will handle cancellation and refunds when they process certain concessions (e.g., over-75 free licence or blind concession). For standard cancellations, submit your cancellation/refund first, then cancel your DD with your bank once TV Licensing confirms.
5. After you cancel—what to expect
TV Licensing may contact you occasionally to verify your No Licence Needed status; keep your reference and update details if you move.
Fines: Watching/recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a licence can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
6. Quick cancellation checklist
I never watch or record live TV on any channel/service.
I don’t use BBC iPlayer.
I’ll submit No Licence Needed and, if applicable, a refund application (≥1 full month left).
If I’m moving, I’ll change address or request a refund up to two weeks before moving.
I’ll await confirmation before cancelling my bank Direct Debit (unless TV Licensing cancels it as part of a concession).
7. Useful contacts (save these)
TV Licensing (general): 0300 790 6071
Direct Debit queries: 0300 790 0368
Payment card (cash plan): 0300 555 0286
Post: TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL
Hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 (closed weekends/public holidays).
Disclaimer
This guide summarises official TV Licensing guidance current as of 27 August 2025. Always follow the instructions in TV Licensing’s own pages and forms when cancelling or claiming refunds.
Whether you want to delete your TV Licensing account, stop payments, or cancel a plan, Plouta makes it simple. You can also browse our How to cancel a subscription directory for pages on how to cancel other popular subscription services.
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