TV Licensing

What are the terms and conditions of a standard TV Licence?

You means the person named on the licence.

TV equipment means television receiving equipment, such as a TV set, computer, mobile phone, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

What is a TV Licence needed for?

• To use any TV equipment to watch or record any TV programmes as they are being shown on television.
• This includes watching or recording streamed services and satellite TV broadcast from outside the UK. If you only watch on-demand services, then you don't need a licence.

What does your licence allow?
The licence allows installation and use of TV equipment:

• At the licensed place by anyone.
• In a vehicle, boat or caravan by:
  • You and anyone who normally lives with You at the licensed place (so long as TV equipment is not being used in a non-touring caravan and at the licensed place at the same time).
  • Anyone, who normally works at the licensed place (so long as the vehicle, boat or caravan is being used for a business purpose).

Use of TV equipment powered by internal batteries anywhere:

• By You and anyone who normally lives with You at the licensed place.

What does your licence not cover?

• Any part of your premises with separate legal arrangements e.g. occupied by tenants or lodgers.
• Self contained or physically separate units on the premises.
• Any parts of your premises with separate administrative arrangements e.g. paying guests.

Black and white licences:

• If you use TV equipment to record television programmes, you need a colour licence even if you only have a black and white television as TV equipment records TV in colour. A black and white licence is valid only if the digital box is not designed to record television programmes.

Other conditions of your licence.

• The licence fee must be paid when due.
• You may transfer the licence to a different address if the change of address is permanent.
• A licence may be cancelled or revoked or its conditions modified by a notice sent to You or by a general notice which will be published on the BBC's website and, if deemed appropriate by the BBC, in other national communications.
• Our officers may visit the licensed place to verify our records and inspect the TV equipment at any time, but you do not have to let them in.
• You must not cause undue interference to any other radio or television reception with your TV equipment.
• Your licence is issued on behalf of the BBC by TV Licensing.

For further information on whether you require a TV Licence contact www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

Please note: separate terms and conditions apply to the following types of TV Licence: hotel and mobile units TV Licence, ARC concessionary TV Licence and entertainment units TV Licence. If you have one of these, please refer to your licence for specific terms and conditions or contact us for information.