When does a student need a TV Licence?
Students need a TV Licence to watch or record TV programmes, irrespective of what channel they’re watching, what device they are using (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other), and how they receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the Internet or any other way). If they don’t have a licence they risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. In some cases students and flatmates will each require their own separate licence for the TVs in their rooms, and in others one licence may be sufficient for all flatmates, regardless of the number of devices in the property. This will depend on the number of licensable places in the property. The tenancy agreement on the property is often a good indication of this. For example: • If a student lives in halls of residence and uses a TV in their own room, they need their own separate TV Licence. • They also need their own licence if they are sharing a house with other students and use a TV in their room, and their room is a separately
