Tv Licence: Do University Students Need One?

University students often have to navigate bills and finances for the first time when they leave home. A TV licence is one of the bills that students may need to consider. In the UK, a TV licence is required by law for anyone watching live TV or using the BBC iPlayer, with a yearly cost of £159-£169.50. Students living away from home in halls of residence or shared housing will need their own TV licence if they have a separate tenancy agreement. However, if students have a joint tenancy agreement, a single TV licence can cover the entire accommodation. Additionally, there is a loophole where students can be covered by their parents' TV licence if they are using a battery-powered device and their parents' home is their main address. Understanding TV licence requirements is crucial for students to ensure they comply with the law and avoid fines for non-compliance.

Students living away from home need a TV licence

Students living away from home will need a TV licence, even if they are only planning on staying in student accommodation for part of the year. This is a legal requirement and failure to have a TV licence when required can result in a fine of up to £1,000, as well as legal fees and compensation.

The TV licence costs £159-£169.50 per year and can be paid for in several ways, including a one-off payment online, by direct debit in instalments, or by cheque or BACS bank transfer. It is important to note that there is no separate TV licence price or discount for students. However, if a student only needs the licence during term time, they can request a partial refund for the months they are not at university. To qualify for a refund, there must be at least one full month left on the licence, and it can be initiated through the TV licensing website.

In shared accommodation, such as a student house or flat, the tenancy agreement will determine the number of TV licences required. If each tenant has an individual contract with the landlord, they will need their own licence to use a TV in their rooms. However, if there is a joint tenancy agreement, a single TV licence can cover all the devices in the house. Additionally, if the only TV is in a communal area, only one licence is needed.

It is worth noting that not all devices require a TV licence. Battery-powered devices such as laptops, tablets, or mobile phones can be used to watch live TV or stream BBC iPlayer without a TV licence, as long as they are not plugged into the mains. However, if these devices are plugged into the mains, they are considered to be using live TV and require a licence.

Students who still live with their parents for part of the year may be covered by their parents' TV licence for portable devices. This allows them to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer on their portable devices without needing a separate TV licence, as long as the device is not plugged into the mains.

Students covered by their parents' licence in certain circumstances

Students who live away from their parents or guardians and have moved out for university will need to buy their own TV licence. However, there are certain circumstances where students can be covered by their parents' TV licence.

If a student's main address is their parents' home, and they are only living at university accommodation for part of the year, they may be covered by their parents' TV licence in specific situations. To be covered by their parents' licence, students must be using a device powered by its own internal batteries, such as a laptop, mobile phone, or tablet, and the device must not be plugged into the mains while receiving television. This means that students can watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer on these devices without needing a separate TV licence.

It is important to note that this loophole only applies if the parents' home address has a valid TV licence. Additionally, students living in university accommodation with a TV in their room or watching TV plugged into the mains will need their own TV licence, even if their parents have a licence at home.

Students can take advantage of this loophole to save money on their TV licence costs, but it is always important to ensure compliance with the TV licence regulations to avoid any legal issues or fines.

Students in shared houses need a licence

Students in shared houses need a TV licence, but the type of licence and the number of licences required depends on a few factors. Firstly, if you have a shared tenancy agreement where everyone in the house signs the same contract, you will typically only need one TV licence to cover all the devices in the house. This is because a single TV licence covers all devices in a single property.

However, if each tenant has a separate tenancy agreement and independently rents their room, then each person will need their own TV licence to use a TV set in their room. In this case, each unit with its own tenancy agreement and front door is considered a separate entity and requires its own licence.

It's important to note that watching TV on a device powered by its own batteries, such as a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, does not require a TV licence. These devices can be used to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a separate licence as long as they are not plugged into the mains power.

The cost of a TV licence is £159-£169.50 annually, and there is no specific student discount. However, students who return home for the summer and don't need the licence for the entire year can request a partial refund for the unused months. To qualify for a refund, there must be at least one full month left on the licence, and the process can be initiated through the TV licensing website.

Students in halls need a TV licence

If you're a student living in halls of residence, you will need a TV licence if you watch or record TV in your room. This includes streaming or downloading shows on BBC iPlayer or other online TV services. A TV licence is required by law, and the cost is the same for everyone at £159-£169.50 per year.

Shared Tenancy vs Separate Tenancy

It's important to note the difference between a shared tenancy agreement and a separate tenancy agreement. If you have a shared tenancy agreement, where everyone in your student accommodation signs the same contract, you will typically only need one licence to cover all the devices in the house. However, if each tenant has a separate tenancy agreement and an independently let room, you will need your own licence.

Battery-Powered Devices

There is a loophole regarding battery-powered devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. If your parents have a TV licence at their home address, which is your main address when you're not at university, you can use these devices to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a separate licence. However, the devices must not be plugged into the mains while doing so.

Refunds

If you've purchased an annual TV licence but don't need it for the full year, you can request a partial refund for the unused months. This is applicable if you're returning home for the summer holidays and won't be using the licence during that time. To qualify for a refund, there must be at least one full month left on your licence, and you can initiate the process through the TV licensing website.

Students can claim a refund for summer

Students who plan to return home for the summer may be able to claim a refund for the months when they are not at university. To qualify for a refund, there must be at least one full month left on the TV licence. This is applicable for students who have purchased an annual licence for their student accommodation but will not be staying there for the entire year.

To initiate the refund process, students can visit the TV licensing website and provide supporting information such as confirmation of term dates or a tenancy agreement. It is important to note that the refund option is not limited to students; anyone who has purchased an annual TV licence and no longer needs it for the full year can request a partial refund.

For students who have a joint tenancy agreement with their housemates, it is worth noting that only one TV licence is required to cover all the devices in the house. Additionally, if a student's parents have a TV licence at their home address, the student may be covered by that licence when using portable devices such as laptops, mobile phones, or tablets, as long as these devices are not plugged into the mains power.

By taking advantage of these options, students can effectively reduce the cost of their TV licence during the summer months when they are not residing at their university accommodation.

Frequently asked questions