Why we're here:
This blog is to highlight the unjust persecution of legitimate non-TV users at the hands of TV Licensing. These people do not require a licence and are entitled to live without the unnecessary stress and inconvenience caused by TV Licensing's correspondence and employees.

If you use equipment to receive live broadcast TV programmes, or to watch or download BBC on-demand programmes via the iPlayer, then the law requires you to have a TV licence and we encourage you to buy one.

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Monday 4 August 2008

Buying a TV Licence

The price of the TV licence is set every year by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

There are several ways of obtaining and paying for your licence, which is valid for one year.
  • Direct Debit: Choose to pay in either monthly or quarterly installments.
  • Credit or debit card: Via the TV Licensing website. Have your card details handy.
  • TV Licensing savings card: Save for your licence throughout the year. The card can be topped up at any of the UK's 19,000 PayPoint outlets or by credit or debit card.
  • PayPoint: Make a one-off payment for your licence at any PayPoint outlet.
  • Cash payment plan: Spread the cost of your licence making small, regular PayPoint payments every week or fortnight.
  • BACS: Make a one-off payment direct from your bank account to theirs.
  • Online bill management: Some online bank accounts provide a shortcut to paying your licence fee.
  • Cheque: Make payable to 'TV Licensing', write your name, address and TV licence number (if renewing) on the back and pop in the post to: Customer Services, TV Licensing, Bristol BS98 1TL.
Several types of licence are available depending on your television equipment (colour or black and white) and personal circumstances (residential or business property).

People over the age of 75 are entitled to a free licence. The law requires that they still have the licence (even though it's free) before they use television receiving or recording equipment.

The blind and partially sighted are entitled to a 50% discount on their licence fee and people in residential care are eligible for a substantial discount.

Further details can be found on the TV Licensing website.

Related posts:
TV Licence Validity

6 comments:

Bob said...

"The blind and partially sighted are entitled to a 50% discount on their licence fee and people in residential care are eligible for a substantial discount."

But no licence is needed, for a STB plugged into an audio amplifier, and hence not displaying pictures.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the post about the ways to pay but I won't be paying any time soon. In fact I will not buy a tv licence ever. For the primary reason I do not need one and the secondary reason I will not pay money to a bunch of disgusting scum that lie, threaten and intimidate people.

Admin said...

Yeah, we started off with a few posts giving background information before getting to the nub of TV Licensing's despicable modus operandi.

Rich said...

Rich

I do not like the BBC channels. I find them boring and tedious to watch. I don't watch them. I don't listen to radio either.
So why should I be forced to pay for some junk that I do not want?
In this day and age of digital, we should have the option to be able to subscribe to this junk if you want it, and if you do, pay for it. Not be forced to pay for it regardless.

I actually went many years without paying for a TV licence (proudly) because my tv was not possible to see from any windows and I just didn't open the door to the TV people. They all look like old perverts in long coats, so you know it's them. Live in a different house now so my mrs pays for it.

Nice site, only just discovered it.

Unknown said...

If I pay monthly, am I paying for the following months licence or toward the following years licence? Ive always been led to believe that the licence runs from year to year and the payments are collected in advance up until the renewal date then a new next year starts

Admin said...

Pay monthly is a bit complicated.
For the first 6 months you make double payments (e.g. about £24 per month) and that will fully cover the cost of your first year's licence. After that you make single payments (e.g. about £12 per month) towards your second licence. After the first 6 months you are always 6 months ahead in your payments, so you could claim 6 months refund if you decided to cancel.
Hope that helps.