How to cancel a TV licence
Preparation
Before cancelling a TV licence it is best to prepare by getting used to any changes in viewing habits and setting up TV equipment in the correct manner.
It is advisable to have a “dry run” for a few days to get used to following the appropriate rules for not legally requiring a TV licence.
Legal viewing habits and the correct set up for TV equipment are covered in the appropriate sections of this website.
Different ways to cancel a TV licence
A TV licence can be cancelled on the TVL Website, over the phone or in writing. If a refund is due then it is best to cancel online or over the phone.
TVL will request that a declaration is made confirming that a TV licence is no longer required. TVL will state that this declaration should be renewed every two years.
TVL will also require a statement of evidence to prove that a TV Licence is not required. Such a statement is usually along the lines of the statement below:-
“I no longer require a TV licence because nobody in my household views or records Live TV or uses the BBC iPlayer service on a television or any other device, either while at home or away from the house.”
Once an individual has cancelled, they will be told they will not be troubled again by TVL for another two years. As mentioned above, TVL will then ask for a declaration every two years that an individual still does not require a TV licence.
TVL will say that a TV Licence Inspector will be sent out to inspect TV equipment to ensure that a TV licence is not required but in practice not everybody is visited. No precise date or time will ever been given for any such visit.
TVL visits are covered in more detail in the enforcement section of this guide.
Cancelling a TV licence online
You can cancel your TV licence online from the TVL website by clicking on the link below:-
TVL Website: TV Licence refunds and cancellation
Read the information on the web page then scroll down and you should see two buttons. The first button is for cancellation and there is another further down if you feel that you are owed a refund.
Be warned that many people report problems when trying to cancel their TV licence on the TVL website, such as the website sending them round in circles.
If you have problems in cancelling on the website then see the next section on cancelling your TV licence over the telephone.
Cancelling a TV licence over the phone
You can cancel your TV licence by calling either of the two numbers below, depending on how you pay:-
- For Direct Debits, call 0300 790 0368.
- For TV Licensing payment cards (cash plan), call 0300 555 0286.
Going by the experiences of many others in cancelling their TV licence, the procedure is usually reported as being fairly quick and easy.
Occasionally callers are questioned a little over the phone by TVL about their TV viewing habits and other related points, such as whether there are children in the house that might be viewing live TV or BBC iPlayer.
If you have observed the relevant information elsewhere on this website covering viewing habits and the correct set up for TV equipment then you should have no trouble convincing TVL that you do not require a TV Licence.
Cancelling a TV licence in writing
To cancel a TV licence in writing, a letter should be sent to TVL at the following address:-
TV Licensing, Darlington DL98 1TL.
The letter should contain a formal declaration that a TV licence is not required, using the following format to explain why:-
“I no longer require a TV licence because nobody in my household views or records Live TV or uses the BBC iPlayer service on a television or any other device, either while at home or away from the house.”
The letter should also contain a request for a refund if it is believed that a refund is due.
The cancellation letter can be sent by recorded delivery but if not then it might be best to wait for a reply from TV Licensing before cancelling a direct debit to ensure that TVL has received the written cancellation request.
What happens after cancellation?
Ideally, only after a TV licence has been cancelled should a direct debit or other form of payment be cancelled too.
TVL usually reply in writing with an estimate of how long any refund should take.
What if I just stop paying without making a declaration?
It is unwise not to contact TVL and declare that a TV licence is no longer required before cancelling a direct debit or withdrawing other forms of payment.
If a TV licence is not formally cancelled with TVL, they might assume that the individual concerned is still viewing live TV and BBC iPlayer. This will likely trigger an investigation and TVL might even pursue the individual for debt.
Further reading
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