Don’t pay the £180 TV Licence if you qualify under this rule
A straightforward TV Licence rule means some households could qualify for one at no cost each year – and there’s no need to worry about hiding from enforcement.
Millions of homes across the UK have seen the annual fee rise again. A standard colour TV Licence now costs £180, and anyone who doesn’t have one when they need it risks enforcement action and a possible fine.
But not everyone has to pay. Some people are entitled to a free TV Licence, depending on their circumstances.
A licence is required for a broad range of viewing. It covers watching or recording live TV on any channel – including BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and a range of other channels – as well as live streams shown on platforms like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It also includes access to BBC iPlayer, where you can watch on-demand and live BBC programmes – and you can check a full list of what it covers here.
How to get a free TV Licence
A standard colour TV Licence now costs £180 per year, while a black-and-white licence is £60.50. The most recent price rise took effect on April 1.
Some households may be able to get their £180 TV Licence fee waived, meaning they pay nothing. According to TV Licensing, you can apply for a free licence if the person named on the licence is aged 75 or over and either they – or a partner living at the same address – receives Pension Credit.
Guidance explains: “If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free licence when you are 74 years old. We’ll update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, and then you’ll be covered by your free licence. We’ll confirm this in writing.
“If you’re blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you’re eligible to apply for a 50% concession. Once your blind application has been accepted you can then apply for a free TV Licence.”
If you would rather apply for a free TV Licence over the phone, you can call 0300 790 6117* to speak with a TV Licensing advisor. The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am until 6.30pm.
*Calls to their 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes, calls to an 0300 number will be included free of charge.
How can they tell if I watch TV but don’t have a licence?
TV Licensing officials reveal that if you are watching TV and a licence is needed, your address may be under investigation. It says it uses the following ways to detect whether one is needed.
Can I get a fine for not having a TV Licence?
Watching, recording or downloading TV programmes without a valid TV Licence can result in prosecution. If you’re convicted, you could be fined up to £1,000, alongside any legal costs and compensation the court tells you to pay. In Guernsey, the maximum fine is higher, at up to £2,000.
