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TV licencing

TV Licensing tells students there's nothing funny about being caught without a licence

It's the beginning of the academic year, and for many students at Strathclyde University, the start of a whole range of new experiences, including organising their finances and paying their own bills. However, TV Licensing is offering students some good news: if they buy their TV licence before the end of October, at the end of the year they might be able to qualify for a refund of over £30, which could buy a budget airline round-trip ticket for the summer!
All students who use or install television equipment, such as PCs with broadcast cards, set-top boxes, DVD or video-recorders, to receive or record television programme services, are legally required to have a TV licence.
Nicky Barrett, Student Campaign Manager for TV Licensing said:
"Being caught without a TV licence is no joke, which is why we're urging Strathclyde University students to get a licence, if they need one, as soon as possible this year. Our Enquiry Officers and detector vans are going to be checking up on student accommodation throughout the UK, so students should seriously think about getting a TV licence now so they can avoid a fine."

Last year, TV Licensing caught an average of over 1,000 licence fee evaders each day, but TV Licensing always prefers people to pay for a TV licence rather than be prosecuted, which is why students are being encouraged to buy a licence. If caught, students could risk a trip to court and a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs. They will also still have to get a licence if they need one. A colour TV licence currently costs £126.50.
Students can easily purchase their licence online here: and choose from a number of ways to pay, including Direct Debit. Currently, over 12 million customers pay for their colour TV licence by Direct Debit.

TV Licence Refund

Assuming that a TV licence is purchased in the month it is needed, it will expire 12 months from the first of that month. You can only claim a refund if you will not need the TV Licence again before it expires. Refunds are only available on unused quarters (three calendar months). So, for example, if you bought your licence in November, it would not normally expire until the end of October the following year. A student would typically need the licence to cover October, November and December even if they were away from their term time address in July, August and September for the summer holidays. A refund would, therefore, not be possible because the licence would be needed again before it expired.
Student Guide to TV Licensing

• As a student about to go to university or college, it's important that you realise that you will no longer be covered by your parents' TV licence. In fact, a TV licence is required for each separately occupied place. Providing that you have a TV licence for your main address, then you will be covered for any television-receiving equipment that is powered by its own internal battery.
• Each room in a hall of residence is a separately occupied place, and this means that, if you're using a TV, you will need a TV licence of your own - regardless of whether the hall itself has one.
• If you are going to be sharing a house, a separate tenancy agreement would normally mean your room is occupied as a separately occupied place. In this case, if you have a TV in your room, you will need your own TV licence.
• However if there is only one TV being used in a communal area, then only one TV licence is required. Similarly, if your house can be treated as one place shared by all, then you only need one TV licence (a joint tenancy agreement would usually show this, as there is only one separately occupied place).
  Ways to pay for a TV licence:
  A colour TV licence currently costs £126.50, and a black and white TV licence currently costs £42. There are several ways to pay:
  Direct Debit: Direct Debit is now the most popular and hassle-free way to pay for your licence - over 12 million customers now pay this way. Phone 0870 241 5590 or visit TV Licensingto set up a monthly, quarterly or annual Direct Debit.
  Credit/Debit Card: Simply call 0870 241 5590 and pay by credit or debit card. This facility accepts payment from a range of cards including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Delta and Connect. You can also pay online using your credit or debit card at TV Licensing
  By Post: Simply send a cheque made payable to TV Licensing to the following address: TV Licensing, Freepost BS6689, Bristol BS1 3YJ. Please write your name, address and reference number on the back.
  At Any Post Office branch: Pay by cash or cheque or debit card at any Post Office. Just pick up an application form when you're there or ask at the counter for details.