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Seven Ways To Claim A TV Licence Refund Up To £174.50: The Complete Guide For December 2025

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Are you one of the thousands of UK households potentially overpaying for a service you no longer need? With the standard colour TV Licence fee currently set at £174.50, reclaiming this cost, or a significant portion of it, can provide a welcome financial boost. As of December 2025, the rules for securing a refund remain strict but clear, offering a lifeline to those whose circumstances have recently changed.

The key to claiming a refund of up to the full £174.50 annual fee lies in meeting the specific criteria set by TV Licensing, primarily the ‘one complete month’ rule. This comprehensive guide breaks down the seven most common and legitimate scenarios where you are legally entitled to get your money back, ensuring you don't miss out on a potential rebate.

The £174.50 TV Licence Fee and The Core Refund Rule

To understand the refund amount, it is essential to know the current cost. The standard annual colour TV Licence fee is £174.50, which came into effect following the latest government decision on the BBC funding model. This amount funds the BBC’s public services, including TV, radio, and online content like BBC iPlayer.

The maximum refund you can receive will be the full £174.50 if you have not used the licence at all and meet the cancellation criteria. In most cases, the amount is calculated based on the number of full, unused months remaining on your licence when you no longer needed it.

The 'One Complete Month' Rule: Your Eligibility Cornerstone

For the vast majority of refund applications, the golden rule is simple: you must not need the licence again before its expiry date, and you must have at least one complete month left on the licence when you apply.

  • If you have 11 months remaining, you can get a refund for 11 months.
  • If you have 1 month and 29 days remaining, you will only be refunded for one full month.
  • If you have less than one complete month remaining, you are generally not eligible for a refund under the standard rules.

This rule is the most important factor in determining your final rebate amount.

Seven Key Scenarios Where You Can Claim Your Refund

The potential for a refund, often referred to as a rebate or overpayment claim, is tied to a change in your household circumstances. Here are the seven primary situations where you are legally entitled to apply for a refund on your £174.50 licence fee.

1. Moving Abroad Permanently

If you leave the UK to live permanently in another country, you no longer require a UK TV Licence. You can apply for a refund for the remaining full months, provided you won't need the licence again before it expires. This is a common and straightforward reason for a full or partial refund.

2. Switching to Streaming-Only (No Live TV or BBC iPlayer)

A TV Licence is required to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, or to watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer. If you stop doing both of these things—meaning you only use subscription services like Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video, and crucially, never use BBC iPlayer—you can cancel your licence and claim a refund.

You must confirm that you have stopped all licensable activity and will not resume it before the licence expires.

3. Moving to a Care Home or Residential Accommodation

If you or the licence holder moves into a residential care home, you become eligible for a refund for the unused months. This process often involves providing documentation from the care home to confirm the change of address and permanent residency.

4. Licence Holder's Death or Moving in with a Licensed Partner

In the unfortunate event of the licence holder’s death, a refund can be claimed by the next of kin or the executor of the estate for the remaining period.

Similarly, if you move into a home that already has a valid TV Licence, and the licence holder is your spouse or partner, you may be eligible for a refund on your old licence, provided it has at least one complete month left.

5. Receiving a Concessionary Licence (Over-75s on Pension Credit)

People aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit are entitled to a free TV Licence. If you meet this criterion and were paying for a full licence, you are eligible for a refund for the unused portion, even if it is less than one complete month.

The same applies to those who become eligible for the blind (severely sight impaired) concessionary licence, which is a 50% reduction in the fee. You can claim a refund for any unused period once your concession is confirmed.

6. Accidental Overpayment or Duplicate Purchase

Sometimes, an overpayment occurs due to administrative error, or two people in the same household mistakenly pay for a full licence. In these cases of duplicate payment or overpayment, you can apply for a full refund of the extra amount paid. This is a simple process of correcting a financial mistake.

7. Students Moving Out for the Summer Break

Students who buy a TV Licence for their university address may be eligible for a refund for the summer months if they move back to their parents' address (which is already covered by a licence) and will not use their student licence for the remaining period.

A student refund can cover up to three months of the fee, provided there are at least three full, unused months remaining before the licence expires.

How to Apply for Your £174.50 Refund

The application process is managed directly through the official TV Licensing website, which is the fastest and most secure method. Alternatively, you can apply by phone.

Required Information for the Refund Claim

When applying for a rebate, you will need to provide specific details to TV Licensing to process your claim:

  • Your current TV Licence number.
  • The date from which you no longer required the licence (the date you moved out, stopped watching, etc.).
  • Proof of your new circumstances (e.g., care home letter, proof of moving abroad, or Pension Credit documentation).
  • Your bank details for the payment of the refund.

Crucially, you can apply for a refund up to 14 days before the date you stop needing the licence, or up to 14 days after its expiration date, depending on the scenario.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once your application is submitted, TV Licensing will assess your eligibility based on the 'one complete month' rule and your documented change in circumstances. If approved, the refund is typically paid via BACS (Bankers' Automated Clearing Services) directly into your bank account, usually within a few weeks. This process ensures a clean cancellation and the return of any unused portion of your £174.50 annual fee.

Seven Ways to Claim a TV Licence Refund Up To £174.50: The Complete Guide for December 2025
tv licence 174 50 refund
tv licence 174 50 refund

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