TV Licensing

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/ Do I need a TV Licence?Link for Do I need a TV Licence?
/ For your homeLink for For your home
/ TV Licence for tenants and lodgers

If you’re renting, here’s what you should know.

Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of TV. It covers you for:

All TV channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV
Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video
Everything on BBC iPlayer.

This includes recording and downloading. On any device.

A TV Licence costs £174.50.

Pay for your TV Licence

Find out about different ways to pay.

Need more help or advice? See our frequently asked questions below.

It is always the tenants’ responsibility unless the tenancy agreement states that the landlord is responsible.

If you live in a shared flat, house or other kind of property, it may also depend on whether there is a joint tenancy agreement or not. If each tenant has their own tenancy agreement, they would each need a TV Licence for their room.

The TV Licence rules for shared houses and accommodation will usually depend on the type of tenancy agreement.

Shared property joint tenancy

If you've signed a joint tenancy agreement with your housemates, you will only need one TV Licence. This will act as a communal TV Licence that covers all the devices in your shared accommodation.

However, there may be other reasons why you need still need your own TV Licence, such as whether or not you have exclusive access to a toilet or washing facilities.

Unsure whether this applies to you? Please contact us to find out more information.

You may risk prosecution and a fine if you don't have a TV Licence, plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.

Shared property multiple tenancies

If you've signed a separate tenancy agreement and watch TV in your room, you'll need your own licence even if you share the property. This TV Licence will also cover communal areas, like a lounge or kitchen.

Pay for a TV Licence.

No. A TV Licence is a legal document and can only have one name on it.

Usually, one TV Licence allows the use of any TV receiving equipment by the licence holder, their family or any person visiting or working at the address. So there should be no need to have a TV Licence in a joint name.

You need your own TV Licence if:

You live in self-contained accommodation, such as a separate flat or annex
You have a separate tenancy agreement for your room

This TV Licence will also cover communal areas.

You don't need a TV Licence if you’re a lodger and have a relationship with the homeowner who has a valid licence – for example, a family member, common law partner, a nanny, au pair or housekeeper.

You’re covered by the homeowner’s TV Licence if they have one, but only if you live in the same building, like a shared flat or house. If you live in self-contained accommodation, such as a separate flat or annex, you need your own separate licence.

Unsure whether this applies to you? Please contact us to find out more information.

If you do not watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer* (this includes recording and downloading, on any device), you don't need a licence.

If you’re sure you don’t need a licence, please let us know.

Your property needs to be covered by a TV Licence. See our residential landlord page for more information.

Find out how to change your address.

Find out how to apply for a refund or cancel your TV Licence.

Find out about TV Licenses for second homes.

If you still have questions take a look at TV Licensing FAQs where you can find all the answers in one place.