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As a student, you may be wondering if your TV licence covers you at another address. The answer depends on a few factors, including how often you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer at the other address, and whether you are staying there temporarily or permanently.
In this post, we will take a closer look at the TV licence rules for students, and answer some of the most common questions.
Table of contents
What is a TV licence?
A TV licence is a legal requirement for anyone in the UK who watches or records live TV, or uses BBC iPlayer. It funds the BBC, which is the UK’s public service broadcaster.
A TV licence is a fee that is paid to the BBC to fund its programming. It is required for anyone who watches or records live TV, or who uses BBC iPlayer.
The TV licence covers all devices that can be used to watch or record live TV, including TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
What is the cost of a TV license?
The cost of a TV licence is £159 per year. You can buy a TV licence online, over the phone, or by post.
When Do I need a TV licence?
You need a TV licence if you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.
You also need a TV licence if you watch BBC iPlayer, whether on a TV, computer, tablet or mobile phone.
There are a few exceptions to the TV licence rule. You do not need a TV licence if you only watch:
- Freeview channels that are not broadcast live, such as Dave or Yesterday.
- On-demand programmes that are not broadcast live, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
- TV programmes that are streamed from outside the UK, such as on Hulu or Disney+.
Does my TV licence cover me at another address?
Your TV licence covers you at your main home address. If you move to another address, you will need to get a new TV licence for that address. However, TV licence will cover you at another address if you only watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer there occasionally. This is known as “secondary viewing”.
However, if you watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer at the other address regularly, you will need a separate TV licence for that address.
How do I know if I need a separate TV licence?
There is no hard and fast rule for determining whether you need a separate TV licence for another address. However, the following factors may indicate that you do need one:
- You watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer at the other address for more than 4 hours per week.
- You have a TV set at the other address.
- You stay at the other address for more than 30 days in a row.
If you are unsure whether you need a separate TV licence, you can always contact TV Licensing for advice.
Do I need a TV licence if I am a student?
If you are a student and you are watching or recording live TV at your home address, you will need a TV licence. This is the case even if you are only watching TV for a short period of time, such as during the holidays.
However, if you are studying away from home and you are not watching or recording live TV at your home address, you do not need a TV licence. This is the case even if you are still registered at your home address.
What if I am a student living in halls of residence?
If you are a student living in halls of residence, you will usually only need one TV licence for the whole building.
This is because it is assumed that all residents will be watching or recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer at the same time.
However, if you have your own TV set in your room, you may need to buy a separate TV licence. You should check with your landlord or accommodation provider to find out their policy.
What if I am a student living in a shared house?
If you are a student living in a shared house, you will need to buy a separate TV licence for each household. This is because each household is considered to be a separate address.
What if I am only staying at another address temporarily?
If you are only staying at another address temporarily, such as during the holidays, you do not need a separate TV licence. However, if you are staying there for more than 30 days in a row, you will need to buy a separate TV licence.
How can I get a TV licence?
You can get a TV licence online, over the phone, or by post.
FAQs on Does My TV Licence Cover me at Another Address?
What happens if I don’t have a TV licence?
If you are caught watching or recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a TV licence, you could be fined up to £1,000.
Can I get a refund on my TV licence?
Yes, you can get a refund on your TV licence if you no longer need it. You can do this by contacting TV Licensing.
How do I renew my TV licence?
You can renew your TV licence online, over the phone, or by post.
Where can I find more information about TV licences?
You can find more information about TV licences on the TV Licensing website: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you to understand the TV licence rules for students. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact TV Licensing.
References
- TV Licensing website: tv licensing
- BBC website: bbc
- Ofcom website: ofcom
