You may not realise that you are exempt from paying the annual fee.
There are three lesser-known circumstances that exclude you from having to pay for a TV licence. This could save you a costly fee of £174.50 a year.
The payment has been a common cost for many Brits since its introduction in 1946. At the time, the BBC was the sole broadcaster in the country, and the licence cost £2 – the equivalent to approximately £105 today.
Despite significant changes in how we consume television, including the advent of numerous channels, streaming and on-demand platforms, this yearly expense remains. As of April 1, this year the price was set at £174.50, having increased from £169.50.
The fee applies to any households that:
- Watch or record programmes as they’re being broadcast live on any TV channel
- Watch live programmes on any online TV service – such as Channel 4, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video.
It’s also needed if you download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. However, there are certain circumstances in which you don’t actually require a licence.
These are as follows. According to GOV.UK, you don’t need a licence if you’re a student who lives at another address outside of term time, which already has a licence.
You can use that TV Licence while you’re at university on any device that’s:
- Battery powered
- Not plugged in
- Not connected to an aerial.
Separate to this, you do not need a TV licence if you only watch specific types of content and not those mentioned above. These are:
- Streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
- On-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
- Videos on websites like YouTube
- Videos or DVDs.
You also do not need to buy your own TV licence if you live in a shared home, which already has a licence. You can have one TV Licence for the whole household if you either:
- Watch TV in a single shared area
- Have a joint tenancy agreement.
Other exemptions and discounts
Certain individuals are also exempt from paying for a TV licence or qualify for a discounted rate. The Government website states that you can obtain a free TV Licence if you’re 75 or older and you either:
- Receive Pension Credit
- Live with a partner who receives Pension Credit.
If you’re currently receiving Pension Credit, you can apply for a free TV licence when you reach the age of 74. However, you’ll need to continue paying for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
If you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, this entitles you to apply for a discount. If you live in a qualifying residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation, you can obtain a TV Licence for £7.50.
To be eligible, you must also be either:
- Retired and over 60
- Or disabled.
Your housing manager can verify your eligibility and apply on your behalf.
If you’re registered as blind, or severely sight impaired, or live with someone who is, you can receive a 50 per cent discount. The licence must be registered in the name of the blind person – if it’s not, a new application can be made to transfer it into their name.
