Free Guide to UK TV Licence Requirements and Rules

Understanding UK TV Licence Requirements

A TV licence is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom if you watch or record live television on any channel, or if you use BBC iPlayer to watch or record any programme (including on-demand content), regardless of when it was broadcast. This requirement applies to every household, institution, and business in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The TV licence funds the BBC and ensures that programming remains free of advertising.

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As of 2024, a TV licence costs £159 per year for a colour licence and £53.50 per year for a black and white licence. These fees have remained stable since April 2022. The licence covers all the people living in one household and allows them to watch or record television on any channel and any device within that household. Understanding these basics is the foundation for knowing whether you need a licence and what you must do to remain compliant with the law.

The requirement applies broadly. If you have a television set in your home, you need a licence unless you can confirm you do not watch or record live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer. Many people assume they only need a licence if they watch the BBC, but this is incorrect. The licence covers all live television, including ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Virgin Media, and other providers. The only exception is on-demand content from non-BBC services, such as watching shows on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, which do not require a licence.

The law has been in place for over a century. Currently, approximately 25 million households in the UK hold a valid TV licence. Enforcement is taken seriously, and watching television without a valid licence is a criminal offence that can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Practical takeaway: Check whether you actually watch or record live television on any channel or use BBC iPlayer. If you do, you need a licence. If you only watch on-demand services like Netflix, catch-up TV on non-BBC services, or no television at all, you may not need one.

Who Must Pay for a TV Licence

The person or organisation that must pay for a TV licence is whoever is responsible for the television set where viewing or recording takes place. In most households, this is one named person who is at least 18 years old. That person is the licence holder. All other residents of the household can watch television under that one licence, provided they are watching in the same household where the licence applies.

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Different living situations have different rules. In a shared house or flat with multiple households, each household needs its own licence if each household has its own television or access to live television. Students living in university halls of residence are typically covered by a single licence that applies to the entire building, arranged by the university. However, if you have your own private halls accommodation, you will need your own licence. Care homes, hotels, hostels, and other institutions must also hold a licence if televisions are available for residents or guests to watch live television.

Workplaces require a licence if employees watch live television during working hours. This means a shop, office, pub, restaurant, or other business venue needs a licence if a television is on showing live programming. However, if the television is only used for training or security purposes, or if it only shows pre-recorded content or non-live channels, a workplace licence may not be needed. Similarly, if a workplace has a television but it is never used to watch live television, no licence is required.

Age is relevant to who can be the licence holder. The person named on the licence must be at least 18 years old and usually a resident at the address where the licence applies. If you live with family members or friends, only one person needs to be the licence holder, and that person becomes responsible for paying the fee and ensuring compliance. If that person moves away, the licence must be transferred to another adult resident or cancelled.

Practical takeaway: Identify who lives in your household or runs your business. One adult per household or premises is responsible for holding the licence. Make sure you know who that person is, and if it is you, ensure your details are registered correctly with the TV Licensing Authority.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances

While most people and organisations need a TV licence, some circumstances allow you to watch television without one. Understanding these exemptions is important, as they are narrowly defined and do not apply in most situations. The main exemption is if you only watch or record programmes on BBC iPlayer that are not live. This means you can watch programmes that have finished broadcasting and are available on catch-up through the BBC iPlayer service. However, if you watch any live programme on BBC iPlayer, even for just a few minutes, you need a licence. This exemption is surprisingly restrictive because most people who use BBC iPlayer do watch at least some live content.

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Over-75s in the UK may receive a free TV licence under a specific scheme, though this situation has changed in recent years. Until 2020, all households with someone aged 75 or over received a free colour licence. From June 2020, only those aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit are entitled to a free licence. If you are over 75 but do not receive Pension Credit, you must pay the standard licence fee. This change affected approximately 3.5 million households, so it is important to check your circumstances if you are in this age group.

People with certain sight conditions may hold a concessionary licence at a reduced rate. If you are registered as blind or severely sight-impaired, you can receive a licence at a lower cost. Similarly, some residents of care homes or nursing homes may have their licence fee paid through certain schemes, depending on their care provider and circumstances. However, you must meet specific criteria, and it is best to contact TV Licensing directly to understand what may apply in your situation.

Temporary exemptions apply in very specific cases. If your only television is being repaired and you have no other way to watch live television, you may be exempt for the duration of the repair. If you are moving house, you may have a brief period where you are not required to hold a licence if your television is not connected during the move. These temporary situations must still be reported to TV Licensing if they apply to you.

Practical takeaway: If you think you might be exempt, contact TV Licensing to discuss your specific circumstances. Do not assume you are exempt based on your age or situation without checking. Many people believe they qualify for an exemption when they do not, and it is far better to clarify in advance than to face enforcement action later.

How to Obtain and Maintain a TV Licence

To get a TV licence, you must contact TV Licensing and provide them with your personal details and the address where you will be watching or recording television. You can do this online through the TV Licensing website, by telephone, or by post. When you contact them, you will need to provide your name, address, and date of birth. You will also need to tell them whether you want a colour licence or a black and white licence. Most people choose a colour licence. Payment can be made in full for the year or in monthly instalments. The annual payment in 2024 is £159 for colour and £53.50 for black and white.

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Payment options are flexible. You can pay online by debit or credit card, set up a direct debit to pay monthly (usually around £13.25 per month for colour), or pay by post if you prefer. Once you have set up your licence, TV Licensing will send you a licence certificate through the post. This certificate shows that you have a valid licence and should be kept safely. If an enforcement officer calls at your home to check that you have a licence, you can show them this certificate.

Keeping your licence current is straightforward but important. Your licence lasts for 12 months from the date it starts. Before it expires, TV Licensing will send you a reminder. You can renew your licence in advance or on the expiry date. If you do not renew it on time and continue to watch live television, you will not be compliant with the law. It is wise to renew your licence before it expires to avoid any gap in cover. Many people set up direct debit payments so that their licence renews automatically each year, which removes the risk of forgetting to renew.

If your circumstances change, you must inform TV Licensing. If you move house, you should contact them to update your address. If you move to a new household with someone else who already has a licence in their name, you may need to update the details of who is the licence holder. If you