Guides › TV, Streaming and the TV Licence › Getting TV Licence Letters When You Do Not Need One
Getting TV Licence Letters When You Do Not Need One
If you do not watch or record live TV on any channel or device, or use BBC iPlayer, you can tell TV Licensing you do not need a licence by completing a No Licence Needed declaration online. TV Licensing may visit to confirm. Live TV on streaming services like YouTube still needs a licence.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
No Licence Needed
Telling TV Licensing
Complete a No Licence Needed declaration online; if you have a licence, cancel it first. TV Licensing may confirm with a visit. A licence is needed for live TV on any channel or streaming service (such as live TV on YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video), for recording and for downloading, on any device. For an empty property, a declaration stops letters for up to six months. source
When You Need One
When you need one
You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, to watch on a delay, or to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. source
When you do not
You do not need a TV Licence if you only ever watch on-demand programmes from services other than BBC iPlayer. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayMake the declarationOnline
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check you do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer on any device.
Step 2 of 5
Complete the No Licence Needed declaration.
Step 3 of 5
Keep a copy of your confirmation.
Step 4 of 5
If you have a licence, cancel it and ask for a refund.
Step 5 of 5
Tell TV Licensing if your situation changes.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
TV Licensing
No Licence Needed declaration.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Ignore texts or emails claiming your licence has expired and asking for bank details.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence Checked 13 October 2026
- tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one Checked 13 October 2026