Full list of people who can get a refund on their £174 TV licence payment

Thousands of Brits could be in line for a TV licence refund if they meet certain criteria, including being over a certain age, living in care homes, or moving to an address that already has a TV licence.

In the UK, you need a licence to watch or record live telly, or to view anything - whether it's live or catch-up - on BBC iPlayer. This rule also applies to laptops, computers, tablets and mobile phones. Back in April, the Beeb's TV licence fee rose by £5 to £174.50, keeping pace with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.

However, you don't need a TV licence if you're only catching up on shows using streaming services other than BBC iPlayer. These include Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All4 and My5.

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But bear in mind, you'll need a TV licence if you decide to watch any live shows through these platforms.

In June, one dad triumphed in a court battle with TV Licensing after he cancelled his licence to watch streaming services. Lee Stuart found himself in court for not paying his TV licence - despite having previously explained to a TV Licensing inspector that he didn't require one.

If you find you no longer need your licence before it expires, you could be entitled to a refund as long as you have at least one month left on it.

You can also apply for a refund if you qualify for an over 75 or blind concession, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Full list of circumstances where you could get your money back

• You no longer need your licence and you have one month left before it expires.
• You no longer watch live on all TV channels, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer.
• You’re moving to an address that already has a TV Licence.
• You have two licences for the same address.
• The licence holder has died.
• You’re living with someone aged 75 or over who is eligible for a free TV Licence.
• You’re moving into a care home.
• You’re moving abroad.

Certain groups of individuals are eligible for a free or discounted TV licence.

See if you fit into one of these categories:

• Over-75 and claiming Pension Credit
• Students living away from home
• People who are blind or severely sight-impaired
• Living in residential care or sheltered accommodation

If you're caught watching telly programmes that necessitate a TV licence, you could be hit with a fine of up to £1,000. If you don't require a TV licence, it's essential to declare this on the TV Licensing website. The TV licence can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually.