TV Licence

TSR Wiki > University > Student Life > Finance and Money Management > TV Licence

The TV licence fee applies throughout the UK and the money from it generally goes to fund the BBC. There are legal conditions attached to it.

How much is a TV Licence?

There are set fees for colour and black and white television licences. These are increased annually. The increase is effective from midnight on the day of announcement. The current fees are:-

• Black and white television:
  • £49.00 (From 1 April 2009)

• Colour television and/or video recorder:
  • £145.50 (From 1 April 2011)

So, do I need a licence?

You need a TV Licence to use any television-receiving equipment to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV. These include programmes on digital, cable and satellite television channels. Television-receiving equipment includes:

• TV sets
• Set-top boxes
• DVD recorders
• Video recorders
• A Computer when watching live streaming from sites such as itv/bbc
• A Mobile Phone when watching live streaming from sites such as the itv/bbc
• An iPod when watching live streaming from sites such as itv/bbc

Note: Live streaming DOES NOT include Iplayer, ITVplayer or 4oD

Here is what the TV Licensing Authority says:

“You need a TV Licence to watch or record TV programmes as they are being broadcast, irrespective of what channel you're watching, what device you are using (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other), and how you receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the internet or any other way),” said a spokesman for TV Licensing.

“Therefore you would not require a TV Licence to watch catch-up services but you do need a TV Licence to watch live programmes, such as those now available on the iPlayer.”

You don't need a television licence if a TV set cannot receive TV programmes and is used only

• for close circuit monitoring
• for watching pre-recorded videos or DVDs
• as a computer monitor

This is required under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

Televisions in halls

If you have a television in university halls, chances are you will need a TV Licence of your own. If you are living in a university flat under a seperate tenancy agreement (will be most students in uni flats) then you will each need your own TV Licence for any equipment in your own room. If you have a television out in a communal area of the flat, then that can be covered by someone's existing licence as well as their bedroom. You do not need to purchase a second licence just to cover the communal area.

Exceptions

• You do not need a licence if you have a television that is not used for receiving broadcast programmes. TVL ask you to inform them of this, but it is obviously not a legal requirement to do so and they will still ask to inspect it. In these cases, it is best to have no aerial installed and to ensure that the TV is completely de-tuned, that is that no picture can be seen to any degree on any channel, so that you can confirm this status if asked.
• A TV licence is not required to watch on-demand programming online (iPlayer 4oD etc.) regardless of whether the computer is plugged in or not. If, however, you use the computer to watch live TV as it is broadcast (i.e. Watching a stream of BBC One online) then you need a licence unless you are exempt for another reason.
• A television licence allows the person named on it and any members of his or her household to use one or more television sets or video recorders.
• If you only have a black and white television, you only require a black and white television licence. If you have a colour television, a DVD recorder or video recorder, you will require a colour television licence. This will apply even if the DVD or video recorder is used with a black and white television set.

Ways to cut the cost

An easy way to cut costs, is to claim a refund for the unused quarter you will not be using it for (summer). Most universities do not start until the beginning of October.

By delaying the TV licence until October, you can then claim back what you pay for July, August and September the following year.

Don't get your TV licence until the beginning of October. Then you can claim back for the quarter of the year that you're not at university (July/August/September). When you get your TV licence it automatically backdates it to the beginning of the month - so if you buy it on the 30th September it starts from the 1st September!!

Click this link for details on claiming money back

You could also choose to use a black and white television. This costs a lot less than a licence for a colour television.

Dealing with TVL

The TV Licensing Organisation (TVL), which is outsourced by the BBC to a company called Capita, monitor TV licence evasion. They have numerous investigation officers and send a good number of threatening letters even if they have no evidence to suggest that a television is owned. A few things should be noted when dealing with them:

• They don't have more rights than any other salesman. They cannot come into your home without a warrant or your (or any other owner/occupier's permission)
• All enquiry officers carry identification cards which they should show. The enquiry officer must state the purpose of the visit.
• You don't have to have any dealings with them whatsoever. You have every right not to inform them if you don't need a licence, you can shut the door in their faces, you do not have to give your name to them or sign any documents they present you with.
• If you do allow an enquiry officer to come in, they will carry out a brief inspection of the main living areas. If they are satisfied there is no TV set, they can authorise a 'stop on contact' for four years. This means that no one will contact you about your TV licence for four years.
• If you do not let the enquiry officer in, they may apply to a magistrates' court (sheriff court in Scotland) for a search warrant. They can do this only if there is good reason to suspect an offence has been committed. Refusal to allow entry to an enquiry officer is not, in itself, enough to justify anyone applying for a search warrant.
• The moment a you're suspected of breaking the law (instead of just making 'general enquiries') then he must only interview you under caution in the same way a police officer does. Otherwise any confession you make will be inadmissible in court.
• As with any door-to-door callers, be very wary of them. Consider not answering the door to them if you are in alone. This will also help should you not need a licence and they try to pin something on you - they are given commission for every successful prosecution made.
• You are innocent until proven guilty and don't have to answer for anything.

Prosecution

• TV licence evasion is a criminal offence. If found guilty, the maximum fine is £1000. A more realistic figure for most evaders is £200, but will probably be less for students. You will also have court costs of around £70 to cover.
• You can be prosecuted for having or using a television set or video recorder and not having a licence for it. You can be prosecuted even if you are not the owner or hirer of the set.
• The court however cannot confiscate the television set or order you to pay the television licence fee arrears.
• You will receive a criminal record if convicted of TV Licence evasion.

Should I get a TV?

It depends on what you are like. Some people are happy to watch what everyone else watches in the communal room, but many don't want to watch what everyone else watches, so it's probably a good idea to take one and just test the water.

Ways to Pay your TV Licence

You can pay for your television licence in one annual payment or by installments (colour televisions only).

Annual Payment

If you make an annual payment for your TV licence, you can pay by:

• Cash, at a PayPoint outlet
• Cheque, by post to TV Licensing
• Debit card (switch or delta). This can be arranged by contacting TV Licensing
• Direct debit from your bank account or credit card account. Contact TV Licensing to arrange this or sign up online using the TV Licensing.

Direct debits will be made from your account annually, at the current licence fee rate, unless you cancel the agreement.

Instalments

There are several ways you can pay for your TV licence in installments:

Paying by direct debit

• Monthly. If you're buying a new licence, you'll pay the whole cost over the first six months. After the first six months, you can start paying towards the next year's licence in 12 monthly installments. You can get more details from TV Licensing
• Quarterly. You have to pay an extra £5 (£1.25 per quarter). If you want to use this scheme, get a form from TV Licensing.

Weekly/fortnightly installments - Cash Easy Entry

If you get benefits, for example, Income Support, are on a low income (which would be true for students) or don't have a bank account, you may be able to pay in weekly or fortnightly installments. You can get more details from TV Licensing

The TV licence savings card

The TV licence savings card has replaced TV licence savings stamps. You can pay for your TV licence in installments with the savings card using cash or a debit card. You can use the savings card at a PayPoint outlet

Paying for your TV licence at a PayPoint outlet

You can use a PayPoint outlet to pay for, or save for, your TV licence.

PayPoint outlets can be found in newsagents, local shops, supermarkets and petrol stations. You can get details of your local PayPoint outlets on the TV Licensing website

If you are renewing your licence, take the renewal form to a PayPoint outlet. You can pay by cash or credit or debit card. You will be given a receipt by the PayPoint outlet which you must attach to your licence so that it is valid. You do not need to send the receipt to TV Licensing for your licence to be valid.

Links

Link to TV Licensing

You do NOT need a TV licence to watch non-live TV on iPlayer

Interesting read about TVL harrassment

Reue's TV Licence FAQ and discussion thread