Before heading off to university, a question wondered by many is ‘do students need a TV licence’? Generally speaking, as a student living away from home, you will still need a TV licence. However, some loopholes may mean that you don’t need to pay. If you’ve already started paying, then you might even be entitled to a refund.
Unfortunately, TV Licensing doesn’t offer discounts or exemptions to students. So, if you’re a student, then you’ll need a TV licence to watch, stream or record live TV. By live TV, we mean content as it’s being shown. This applies to any device, whether it be a TV, laptop or mobile. You’ll also need a TV licence to watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. However, there are a few loopholes for students to avoid paying the yearly fee of £159.00. Don’t worry, this amount is for an entire household, rather than £159 each!
In this article, we’ve explained exactly when do students need a TV licence, along with how this can be influenced by the type of accommodation you’re living in, specific channels, TV licence exemptions for students, how parents may affect this and some other handy student TV licence FAQs.
When Don’t and Do Students Need a TV Licence?
When do students need a TV licence?
Students will need a TV licence when any of the following apply within a household:
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You watch or stream live TV as it is aired. This applies to any device (TV, laptop, phone or tablet). For example, you watch Love Island at 9pm on ITV Hub as it’s being broadcast.
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You record live TV and watch it later. For example, you use Sky to record Love Island at 9pm, but then watch it the next day.
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You watch any BBC programme on BBC iPlayer. For example, you watch Line of Duty on BBC iPlayer after it’s been shown on TV.
When don’t students need a TV licence?
For the following cases, students won’t need to get themselves a TV licence:
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You only watch on-demand and catch-up channels, such as Netflix or NowTV.
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You watch live TV from a device that is powered by its own batteries and your parents’ have a TV licence at home. For example, watching TV on your phone or laptop when it isn’t plugged into a socket and currently charging.
Which Channels Need a TV licence and Which Channels Don’t?
Do students need a TV licence? This often depends on what channels are being watched and what devices you’re using to watch them on. We’ve popped the channels that do and don’t require a TV licence into a handy table for you.
What do we mean by ‘Live TV’?
Live TV is any programme that you watch at the time it’s being aired on TV or another online service. This is any programmed TV, including sports, the news, series, soaps and documentaries. Even if you record something that was aired at a particular time, this is classed as watching live TV.
I only watch Netflix, do I need a TV Licence?
Nope. You don’t need a TV licence to watch Netflix or NowTV, or any other on-demand or catch-up service (except BBC iPlayer) that you may be able to think of.
TV Licence Exemptions for Students
Do university students need a TV licence in student halls?
The short answer is yes, you’ll need a TV licence for your room as you’re on a single tenancy. However, some student halls may have the communal areas covered. It’s best to check this with your accommodation provider.
Do students need a TV licence in a shared student house?
In a shared student house, you’ll likely be on a joint tenancy. This means you only need one TV licence. One licence will cover all of your housemates, so it’s best to split this as part of your monthly bills. Some bill-splitting platforms such as Resooma Bills will do you a massive favour and
split this for you as standard.
TV licensing officers can detect if you watch TV and may request to come into your student house to check. If you do let them in, the person watching TV at the time is likely to be liable for the £1000 fine.
Top Tip: You don’t legally have to let officers into your student house, so you can say no.
Do Students Need a TV Licence if Parents Have One?
Am I covered by my parents’ TV Licence?
Maybe. Technically, your parents’ licence doesn’t extend to your student house whilst you’re at university, but there is a loophole. And loopholes are there to be jumped through, right?
TV Licensing said this in their official statement: “If you use a device that is solely powered by its own internal batteries, you will be covered by your parent’s TV licence. However, you must not install the device (eg. plug it into the mains) when using it to receive TV”. This means you can watch live TV and BBC iPlayer without a TV licence if you’re watching it on a phone, tablet or laptop that isn’t plugged into the wall.
You’re covered by your parents’ licence if:
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You’re watching TV on a device (phone, tablet, laptop) that isn’t plugged into the wall.
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Your parents’ address is your main address when you’re not living in your student house.
If all those are a ‘tick’ then you’re good to go.
Top Tip: Charge your device before starting to watch TV. There’s nothing worse than having to turn off an episode of your favourite show midway through because your phone has completely run out of battery.
I only live in my student house for half the year, can I only pay for those months?
You don’t need to pay for the months that you’re not at your student house, such as when you go home for summer. If you’re on direct debit, then you can apply for a refund for the summer months. All you need to do is provide confirmation of your attendance at uni or college that shows your term dates.
TV licensing keeps sending letters to my student house, even though we don’t legally need a TV licence?
If you keep receiving letters to your student house and you’re sure you don’t need one, you can let TV Licensing know. Once you’ve told them, they should stop sending you letters and you can live in peace.
How should I deal with a TV licence officer who comes to my student house?
You don’t need to let them in as they do not have a legal right of entry. You can politely tell them that you’re busy and that you don’t want them to come in.
If you do invite them in because you have nothing to hide, then they usually check to see if you have a TV and ask you a few questions before leaving. Make sure you check their ID and that they are 100% who they say they are before letting them into the property.
How much is a TV licence and how do I pay for it?
It’s currently £159.00 a year for a TV licence. This can be paid monthly (£13.25) or weekly (around £3). Some bill-splitting platforms will make this payment for you as standard.
If you don’t pay, you could face a £1000 fine and a court hearing. TV licensing officers may come to your student house to confirm whether or not you should have a licence. If they find out that you are in fact watching live TV without a licence, then you could face a £1000 fine and a court hearing if you do not pay it.
What other bills do I need to pay for in my student house?
The TV licence isn’t the only bill you need to cover when living in a student house. The other main bills you need to pay for are:
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Energy (gas and electric)
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Wi-Fi
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Water
On average, student bills cost around £60 each a month, but this depends on your house size, location and usage. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cut down on your energy usage and save money each month as a result.
Resooma is a leading marketplace that connects students to thousands of property advertisers and letting agents across the UK, meaning students can search all available accommodation on one trusted website. Along with helping find your perfect student home, we also sort your student bills.
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