How to Manage a TV Licence After Someone Dies in the UK

Losing a loved one is never easy. Alongside the emotional weight of grief, families are often faced with a long list of practical tasks — from managing finances to handling household services. One item that’s often overlooked, but legally important, is the TV Licence.

Whether you need to transfer, cancel, or simply update the account, this guide will walk you through what to do with a TV Licence after someone has died. It covers the legal requirements, key steps to follow, and the different outcomes depending on the circumstances — all designed to help you navigate this small but necessary part of settling a loved one’s affairs.

Understanding the TV Licence in the UK

A TV Licence is a legal requirement in the UK for anyone who watches or records live television, or streams live channels and on-demand programmes through services such as BBC iPlayer. The licence covers a wide range of platforms — including broadcast, cable, satellite, and online services — across a variety of devices.

You need a TV Licence if you:

Watch or record live television on any channel (e.g. BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Freeview, Freesat, Virgin)
Use streaming services that show live TV or BBC iPlayer (e.g. Amazon Prime Video, Sky Go, Now TV, ITVX, All 4, YouTube)

Importantly, the licence doesn’t just apply to TVs — it includes any device used to watch or record TV content, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, digital boxes, or games consoles.

Only one TV Licence is required per household, which covers all residents and devices at that address. As of now, a standard colour TV Licence costs £159 per year, while a black-and-white licence costs £53.50. Concessions are available in certain circumstances:

People aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit are eligible for a free licence
People who are blind or severely sight-impaired may apply for a 50% discount

Now that you understand what the TV Licence covers, let’s look at what happens when the licence holder dies — and how to update or close the account legally.

How to Inform TV Licensing of a Death

If the TV Licence is Still Needed at the Address

If someone has passed away but others are still living at the same address and continue watching live TV or using streaming services like BBC iPlayer, the TV Licence remains valid. However, it’s important to update the licence so it reflects the new account holder’s details.

To transfer the licence, you’ll need to contact TV Licensing. You can:

Use their online contact form
Or write to Customer Services, TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL.

When contacting them, be sure to include:

The title, initial, and surname of the deceased
The address the licence is registered to
The TV Licence number, if available
The name of the person you wish to transfer the licence to

If the TV Licence Needs to be Cancelled

If no one at the address will continue watching or recording live TV, or using services that require a licence, the existing TV Licence can be cancelled.

To do this:

Use the online cancellation form at the TV Licencing website.
You must be authorised to act on behalf of the deceased — typically as executor or next of kin
You’ll need the licence holder’s name, address, and licence number

If the licence has unused months remaining, a refund may be available. Refunds are only issued if there is at least one full month left before the licence expires. The executor or personal representative can request a refund online.

If the Deceased Had a Free Licence (Over 75)

If the person who died was aged 75 or over and held a free TV Licence, that licence remains valid until its expiry date. However, TV Licensing should still be informed.

If someone else at the address is aged 74 or over and receives Pension Credit, they may also qualify for a free licence. If this applies, you can:

Call 0300 790 6165
Or fill in the online contact form

If no one else at the address qualifies for a free licence, you’ll need to transfer the existing licence to a new payer. TV Licensing will get in touch with the new account holder when the current licence expires to arrange renewal.

Do You Need to Send a Death Certificate?

No — TV Licensing does not require a copy of the death certificate. You can notify them without needing to send official documents, which simplifies the process.

How to Change Direct Debit Details

If the person who has died was paying for the TV Licence by Direct Debit, and the licence is being transferred to someone else at the same address, you may also need to update the payment information.

To do this, you’ll need to write a letter to TV Licensing at the following address:

Customer Services, TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL.

In the letter, include:

The name and address of the deceased licence holder
Their bank details, if known
The name and bank details of the new licence holder
A signature from the new licence holder, authorising the change

TV Licensing will update the payment details and confirm once the change has been made. It’s also a good idea to notify the deceased’s bank to stop the original Direct Debit if the account is being closed.

Refunds and What You Need to Know

In some situations, a refund may be issued for unused time left on a TV Licence — for example, if the licence is cancelled and there is at least one full month remaining before it expires.

To request a refund:

You must be legally authorised to act on behalf of the deceased (such as an executor)
You’ll need the deceased’s name, address, and TV Licence number
You can apply online via the TV Licensing refund request form

Refunds are calculated based on the number of complete unused months. Partial months are not refunded.

In Summary

Handling a TV Licence after someone passes away is rarely the first thing that comes to mind — but taking care of it ensures legal compliance, avoids unnecessary charges, and brings closure to one more small piece of estate management.

Whether you’re transferring the licence to someone still living at the property or cancelling it altogether, the process is relatively straightforward. You don’t need to provide a death certificate, and you’ll find that most changes — including ownership updates, refunds, and Direct Debit amendments — can be handled by post or online.

Above all, remember that you don’t have to have every answer right away. Taking things one step at a time, with clear information and a bit of organisation, can make even the most mundane tasks feel manageable — and respectful of the person you’ve lost.

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