Cancel Television Licence the easy way

Definition

The Television Licence is the UK licence required to watch or record live television on any channel or service, or to watch BBC iPlayer. It funds BBC services and is administered by TV Licensing on behalf of the BBC.

Who needs one

Anyone in the United Kingdom who installs or uses television receiving equipment to watch or record programmes as they are being shown on TV, or uses BBC iPlayer, must hold a valid TV Licence.

Company facts

Web - step by step

1. Go to the official TV Licence listing on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence.
2. From that page, follow the link to TV Licensing to access cancellation and refund options on the TV Licensing website.
3. Complete the online cancellation or refund form and submit any requested evidence for refunds.
4. Keep any confirmation or reference number you receive after submission.

Phone - step by step

1. Call 0300 790 6071 (Minicom 0300 709 6050) and state you wish to cancel your TV Licence or request a refund.
2. Provide your licence number and personal details to confirm identity.
3. Ask for a cancellation reference and note expected timescales for confirmation or refund.

Post - step by step

1. Write a signed letter with your full name, licence number, address and the date you want the licence to end.
2. Send it by registered post to: Television Licence, Darlington, DL98 1TL Darlington, United Kingdom.
3. Retain the proof of postage and track the item if you need evidence of delivery.

Email / Mobile apps

TV Licensing does not publish a public cancellation email address or an official iOS/Android cancellation app in the public sources reviewed. Use the phone, web form or posted letter for formal cancellation requests.

Moving address

Rule: If you cease to need a licence because you are moving to an address where a licence is already held, you can cancel the licence at your old address. Required proof documents: evidence that the new address is covered by another licence or evidence of the move such as tenancy agreement or utility bill in the new name. Applicable law: The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.

Death of the licence holder

Rule: TV Licensing considers refunds and cancellations following the death of the licence holder. Required proof documents: death certificate and proof of authority or relationship for the person requesting cancellation. Applicable law: Section 365(3) Communications Act 2003 (discretionary refunds) and TV Licensing policy.

No longer using TV receiving equipment

Rule: If TV receiving equipment is no longer in use at an address, a refund or cancellation may be considered. Required proof documents: statement that equipment is no longer used, or evidence an address is covered by a different licence. Applicable law: The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.

Licence bought in error or replacement licence bought

Rule: If a licence was purchased in error or replaced by another licence, TV Licensing can consider a refund for unused full months. Required proof documents: receipts showing purchase and evidence of duplicate purchase or replacement. Legal reference: Section 365(3) Communications Act 2003 and TV Licensing refund policy.

Blind concession

Rule: If you are eligible for the blind concession (50% discount) you can apply for a refund at any time and for any length remaining on the licence. Required proof documents: certificate from a local authority ophthalmologist or proof of registration as blind or severely sight impaired. Applicable law: The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.

Over 75 and on Pension Credit

Rule: Free licences for people aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit are available but an application is required; the free licence is not automatic in the public guidance. Required proof documents: proof of Pension Credit award and identity documents. Applicable law: Policy under the Communications Act 2003 and TV Licensing concession rules.

End of commitment and cooling-off

Rule: TV Licence purchases are covered by consumer protection laws where applicable. For contracts made online, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide a 14-day cooling-off period for most contracts, except where digital content exceptions apply. Required proof documents: purchase confirmation and date of purchase. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; Consumer Rights Act 2015 for service quality.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Retention offers from TV Licensing are not reported in the public sources reviewed. There is no publicly published standard list of retention discounts or hold offers. If you wish to ask for alternatives, call 0300 790 6071 and request information on refunds, concession eligibility or payment plans. For concession checks, have your proof documents ready (for example, Pension Credit statement or blind registration certificate).

What cancelling saves - concrete math

Annual cost examples from official and public sources:

• Colour TV Licence: £180 per year (1 April 2026 price)
• Black and White TV Licence: £60.50 per year
• Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC): £7.50 per year

Compare with the cheapest competitor from research: STREMOVA at £5.99 per month.

Computations:

• STREMOVA yearly cost: £5.99 x 12 = £71.88 per year
• Savings if you cancel a Colour TV Licence and switch to STREMOVA: £180.00 - £71.88 = £108.12 per year
• Savings if you cancel a Black and White Licence and switch to STREMOVA: £60.50 - £71.88 = -£11.38 (in this case the black and white licence remains cheaper)

Note: STREMOVA and other streaming or IPTV services do not remove the legal requirement to hold a TV Licence if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer. Ensure your viewing habits match the service before cancelling.

Key UK laws and regulator

The legal basis for TV licensing is Part 4 of the Communications Act 2003 and The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. Ofcom is the regulator named in relation to the Communications Act. Discretionary refund powers derive from Section 365(3) of the Communications Act 2003.

Consumer rights and cooling-off

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide a 14-day cooling-off period for most contracts concluded online or off-premises, except where a digital content exception applies once streaming or download starts. The Competition and Markets Authority treats hard-to-cancel subscriptions or unclear auto-renewal terms as potential unfair practices.

How to escalate

Steps to escalate a complaint: first complain to TV Licensing in writing or by phone; then contact Citizens Advice for guidance; if unresolved, escalate to the relevant sector ombudsman or use Section 75 / chargeback via your card issuer if the payment qualifies. Government guidance on TV Licences is listed at https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence. For fee setting and policy documents see the government notice on pricing: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cost-of-tv-licence-fee-set-for-202627 and the statutory instrument explanatory material: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/104/pdfs/uksiem_20260104_en_001.pdf.

Access and viewing

After cancellation you must not watch or record live TV on any channel or service at the address covered by the cancelled licence, and you must not use BBC iPlayer without a valid licence. If you watch live TV or iPlayer without a licence, that is an offence under the Communications Act 2003.

Data and final billing

If you applied for a refund, TV Licensing aims to process and issue refunds within 21 days by cheque or BACS transfer. You will receive communication confirming the refund outcome. Keep records of cancellation confirmations and any refund reference numbers. If you cancelled a Direct Debit, that does not cancel the licence itself. If TV Licensing issues a final bill or invoice, follow the instructions on that correspondence and use the same complaint/escalation route if you dispute it.

Re-activation

To re-activate a licence you must purchase a new licence for the current address. If you restart watching live TV or use BBC iPlayer at any time, you are required to hold a valid licence from that date.

Use this checklist to complete and document the cancellation process.

• Decide your cancellation date and check if you have at least one complete month left for a refund.
• Choose a cancellation method: web form, phone 0300 790 6071, or registered post to Television Licence, Darlington, DL98 1TL Darlington, United Kingdom.
• Gather required documents: licence number, proof of concession (Pension Credit or blind certificate) or proof of move if applicable.
• If requesting a refund, apply up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the licence.
• Keep copies of confirmation emails, reference numbers, recorded call details or proof of postage.
• Allow up to 21 days for refund processing and record when you expect to receive payment.
• Do not cancel any Direct Debit as a substitute for formal cancellation; Direct Debit cancellation does not cancel the licence.