Households that can save £174 a year by cancelling TV licence after court news
Getting a No Licence Needed declaration could put an end to TV Licensing letters and visits
TV Licence rules can be confusing, but some people may be paying £174.50 for no reason, while others could be risking £1,000 by skipping the fee illegally.
This largely depends on what type of TV you watch or record, and if you don't meet the requirements for a TV Licence, filling out one simple form can keep the agency at bay.
If you watch any of the following, you'll need to have a TV licence according to the TV Licensing authority:
- All live TV channels such as BBC, ITV and international channels
- Paid live TV services like Sky and Virgin Media
- Live streaming on services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix
- BBC iPlayer
This also includes watching, recording or downloading any of the above on any device. However, if you aren't watching any type of live TV or using BBC iPlayer, there may be a change that you don't need a TV licence.
For example, if you're only watching DVDs, on-demand services like ITVX and All 4 or streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+, then you won't need a licence according to the Daily Record. Lee Stuart fell into this group as he exclusively watched online streaming services.
The Kirkby resident initially had a TV licence registered on his home, but stopped watching broadcast TV and subsequently cancelled his licence. He then received a Single Justice Procedure Notice in January alleging that he was watching live TV without a valid licence.
When a case gets to this point, the penalty can go up to £1,000 plus legal costs if you are prosecuted. But Stuart defended himself in court, and the case was ultimately dismissed by the judge due to a lack of proof.
After the verdict was revealed, a TV Licensing representative said: "This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted."
Stuart thought his troubles were over, but he soon received a remined from the agency about potentially needing a licence. In response, he filed an official grievance and filled out a No Licence Needed declaration. TV Licensing has confirmed they have received Mr Stuart's NLN form.
This declaration form can be done online and asks you to describe your viewing habits to check you really don't need a licence. TV Licensing notes: "If you tell us you don't need a licence we may visit you to check.
"If we then find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and compensation you may be ordered to pay."
A TV licensing spokesperson explained that declaring you don't need a licence will stop letters being sent to your address advising and reminding you about getting a TV licence.
This will only last for one year though and letters will resume just in case your circumstances have changed.