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There's A Way You Can Avoid Paying A TV Licence

There's A Way You Can Avoid Paying A TV Licence

Does this apply to you?

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

I've always viewed paying a TV licence as sort of a necessary evil. I hate forking out £145.50 but I love watching telly, so what can you do?

You're legally obligated to have a valid TV licence if you watch or record live TV. Whether you're watching through your telly, a Sky Box or Virgin, it doesn't matter. Even using a SkyGo login and watching live broadcasts would mean you need one.

Last September the BBC added its catch-up service, BBC iPlayer, to this list, too. So, even if you only watch Match of the Day on catch up, you still need a licence.

Credit: PA

You don't need a licence if you only watch catch-up TV or subscription services and you DON'T watch BBC iPlayer. So, if you just watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, or even catch up on All Four and Channel Five, you don't need one. But you will have to fill in a declaration to let the TV licence folk know, and they may request a visit to your home to check.

A TV licence spokesperson told the Mirror: "Whatever device you are using and however you're watching, you need to be licensed to watch programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, or live on an online TV service.

"Fewer than two per cent of households only watch catch-up TV so don't need a licence."

What happens if you get caught without one?

Earlier this week, new sentencing guidelines were issued around the TV licence, meaning that some offenders could get off with a conditional discharge and, in some cases, not even have to pay a fine. However, this will only be the outcome in certain cases, such as when efforts have been made to obtain a licence, or only being without a licence for a very short period.

Tens of thousands of people are caught watching TV without a licence each year in the UK, most are handed a fine. This fine can be up to £1,000, so if you are watching live broadcasts or using BBC iPlayer, make sure you get one.

Why do we have to pay a TV licence?

So, we've pretty much established that unless you're one of the 'two percent' you're going to have to cough up the £145.50.

But what is the TV licence and what is the money used for? The TV licence was introduced in June 1946 and cost £2, which might sound like a bargain but that's roughly the equivalent of £74.82 (as of 2015) and you have to remember that back then, telly was shite.

Well according to the TV licensing organisation, the money provides a range of TV, radio and online content. The money is also used to develop ways that content is delivered.

It funds BBC programmes and services and is what keeps the BBC advert-free, meaning it can be more independent as it doesn't answer to shareholders. It also gives some funding to Welsh Language TV, S4C and local channels.

TV licence money also contributed towards the cost of rolling broadband out across the UK.

Who doesn't need to pay?

If you're aged over 75 you can apply for a free TV licence. This covers the whole house because licences apply to addresses, not people.

If you're blind or severely vision impaired you can get a half-price licence, which, again, will cover the whole household.

Oh, and if you're a student and you move back home during the summer months, you can get a £37 refund on your licence, which I wish I had known five years ago. If you think you're eligible, you can claim your refund here.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Television, BBC