Learn how in the Forum Introduction Guide. Credit Cards Debt-Free Wannabe Savings and Investments. Utilities Old Style MoneySaving MoneySaving in Relationships. Grabbit Shop don't drop Freebies Competitions. Join s of MoneySavers in the Forum's many discussion boards. For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it. Nick Edited by Steve N. Updated 14 Jun It used to be you only needed a TV licence if you had a telly. Now that's changed, and if you watch BBC iPlayer, you'll need a licence — but you won't for other catch-up sites.

This full guide will take you through whether you should be paying or not. If you watch or record shows as they're being shown on telly in the UK 'live TV'you need to be covered by a TV licence.

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You now also need one if you use BBC iPlayer — see below. So whether you're watching live TV on a television, computer, tablet, games console, smartphone or any other device, you'll need to pay the fee. However you do not need a TV licence if you only watch content after it's been shown on television — UNLESS it's on iPlayer. TV programmes downloaded or streamed after broadcast on other catch-up services are fine without one though. You can buy or renew your TV licence online on the TV Licensing website.

When we talk about 'live TV', confusingly it isn't necessarily a live episode of a programme, it could be pre-recorded. Internet-only services such as YouTube or Netflix don't count, though.

Your TV licence covers your household, no matter how many TVs you have, but the rules differ for shared student accommodation.

Additionally, if you pay for a licence at home, it'll cover you on a mobile device outside of your home too subject to certain conditions — see below.

If you move house it's possible to simply update your contact details or get a refund for a complete unused quarter. See How to get a refund. Where does my money go? The cash funds public broadcasting by the BBC, allowing it to run without the interruption of adverts. The BBC contracts the collection and administration of the TV licence out to TV Licensing. New rules that came into force in September mean you now need a licence to legally use BBC iPlayer, even if you're only watching catch-up TV.

Until recently, you only needed one if you watched live TV via it. The rule doesn't apply to other TV channels' catch-up services, so ITV HubAll 4 On Demand and My5 are still legal to use without a licence — so long as you're not using them to watch live TV. The BBC also says you'll soon need to create an account to use iPlayer, though it hasn't yet set a date for when this will be.

Saying you only need a licence to watch BBC catch-up as opposed to that of other channels such as ITV is actually a revolutionary change. In the past, even though the BBC received the funds, the licence was always for watching 'any TV'. Now for the first time we have a specific BBC watching rule; this is potentially opening the door for a future subscription service. Users of iPlayer will be shown a message informing them of the change, and will then have the option to confirm they own a licence, find out more information about the changes or buy a licence on the TV Licensing website.

You only need a TV licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast or use BBC iPlayer — if you only use other catch-up sites, you don't need one.

You can watch almost anything on catch-up: And because services such as The ITV Hub only take a few hours to update, you could watch the latest installment of The X Factor not long after it's been on ITV 1. How can I cancel? If you're absolutely sure you no longer need a licence, you can formally let TV licensing know. Although there's no legal obligation to do this, it says doing so will prevent an increasing number of letters coming your way. Yes, you don't need a licence so long as you are not watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer and are only watching on-demand or catch-up on other services.

The rule is if you are watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer you'll need a licence. It makes no difference whether you're watching on a mobile, tablet, laptop or good old fashioned set in the corner of your living room. How will they know if I watch live TV or BBC iPlayer online or not? It's a very good question, and indeed there are some who believe the BBC is trapped in a corner by this. If it were to start charging people who watch the odd bit of iPlayer online, it would be like the record companies who prosecute year-olds for a few illegally downloaded tracks.

Yes if you're watching BBC iPlayer, but technically no if you only use other catch-up services. But proving it will be nightmarish, especially if your TV is connected to an aerial or satellite dish and is capable of receiving a signal. So you may find yourself in a tricky situation. Enquiry officers do not have any legal powers to come into your home unless they have a search warrant from a magistrate, or sheriff if you are in Scotland.

They have an implied right under common law to come to your front door and let you know they are there. If you refuse them entry they will have to leave, but TV Licensing may then use other methods such as a warrant from court, or detection equipment, which can find if there is TV receiving equipment at a home. I used the online form to cancel my licence the refund arrived back in my bank promptly.

I've never had a problem with harassment, just a quick letter when I purchased a new TV and another 2 years later which is what they say will happen. Thanks for the heads up about the TV licence. This is because you're recording them as they are being shown on a TV channel.

If you watch TV programmes as they're being broadcast you must be covered by a valid TV licence, regardless of:. You don't need a TV licence if you are watching catch-up only, UNLESS it's on BBC iPlayer.

Other catch-up services, such as All 4 formerly 4oD or ITV Hub do not require a licence. This is the first time a distinction's been made between the BBC and other networks in this regard. Personally I support the licence fee, but this is a MoneySaving site and our job is to save people cash. I suspect though as more people start to avoid the licence fee, and it gets more difficult in practice to differentiate between who should and who shouldn't pay, the entire structure will need to change.

So, whether to do this is up to an individual's own moral conscience. If catch-up TV isn't enough, and you want movies too, sign up for a subscription to an online film service like Netflix or watch for free on YouTube. You don't need a licence for these as they don't appear on a TV channel at the same time as you're watching, nor are they the BBC's iPlayer. You also don't need a license for Amazon Prime Video, unless you choose to pay extra for its live add-on service Amazon Channels.

There are lots of packages and options available, with 1,s of titles to stream. See our Watch Movies Online guide for full info. Watching 'live TV' without a licence is against the law. TV Licensing has enforcement officers that carry out checks. You cannot be imprisoned for TV licence evasion in itself, although you can be imprisoned for non-payment of a fine imposed by the court. To the annoyance of many holidaymakers, it's still against BBC iPlayer's terms of use to access its content from outside the UK — despite the fact that some thought the new requirement for a TV licence might change that.

You can download programmes while you're in the UK to watch abroad at a later date as long as it's within 30 days of airingbut you'll have to wait until you're back in the country to watch anything more. We are interested in being able to allow UK licence-fee payers to access BBC iPlayer while they are on holiday in the EU. The BBC is still looking at the technical and legal implications of doing this and it will be dependent on what legislation comes into effect in the future.

This might point towards the adoption of an online login or verification system, and would reflect the Government's proposals p. Only time will tell Many wrongly believe you need to be covered by a TV licence if you have the ability to watch 'live TV', even if you don't watch it. You only need a licence if you actually watch 'live TV' or use BBC iPlayer.

The Government sets the price of the licence. The fees have been frozen sincehowever under the incoming changes announced recentlythe cost of a TV licence will increase in line with inflation which currently stands at 2. In some circumstances you won't need to get your own licence, even if you've moved into your own digs. It's a bizarre rule, but the TV Licensing website says:. Depending on your accommodation If you're in halls of residence you'll probably be covered for communal areas but not your own room.

Check with your university. If you're living out of halls in a shared house and have signed a joint tenancy agreement, you'll need only one licence for the household.

However, if you have separate agreements you'll need one for your room. Remember, if you're only watching non-BBC catch-upyou don't need a licence regardless of where you live. If you do pay for a licence, as a student you can also get a refund for the summer. It may be possible to get a refund on your TV licence, if one of the following applies: If you're moving in with someone who already has a TV licence or moving somewhere where you won't watch 'live TV' or use BBC iPlayer.

If the TV licence holder has died, a refund may be due to the estate. If you have a licence, but will not watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or use BBC iPlayer before your licence expires.

If you've changed the type wow money making 5.4.7 licence to a cheaper one you may be due a partial refund.

You can apply online for a refund up to two years after the expiry date of your licence. You may have to print the refund form and supply evidence. There's full information on the TV Licensing website, with details on how to cancel and the online refund form. Take a look at the info below to see if any of these apply to you.

If they do, get in touch with TV Licensing to see if you're eligible for a refund. Overs get a free TV licence. If you're over 74 and your licence will run out before you turn 75, you're how to make money from a webisode to a short-term licence covering you until you reach If you've got a short-term licence, you should receive the free one automatically as soon as you reach If not, get in touch with TV Licensing.

Full info's available on the TV Licensing website. You must provide TV Licensing with a photocopy of one of these documents to confirm you're certified as either blind or severely sight-impaired:. If you're only partially sighted or sight-impaired, you won't qualify for the concession. Details on how to apply for the discount are available on the TV Licensing website. If you live in a residential care home or sheltered accommodation and watch TV in your own room or flat, then you need a licence.

You may be able to apply for an Accommodation for Residential Care ARC Concessionary TV Licence though, if you qualify. Both you and your accommodation must qualify. Check the TV Licensing website to see if you are eligible, and speak to your care home manager to apply, as they are responsible for arranging this type of licence. Got a question that we haven't answered?

Feed back and tell us what you want to know in the TV Licence discussion. You can pay jquery select box option value credit card, debit arcadia share & stock brokers pvt.

ltd.url, bank transfer, online and by TV Licensing's own savings scheme. However, some payment methods charge more than others.

You don't get charged extra for paying by credit card, so if you've got a cashback credit card, use it providing you pay off in full at the end of the month to pay over the phone or online, and get a slice of cash back. Currently you can't pay for your licence with Amex, usually the top cashback card. But for the best non-Amex alternatives, read the Best Cashback Cards guide. You can make small weekly, stock market quote widgets or monthly payments at Paypoint outlets usually local newsagents and shops.

You can also pay over the phone. The advantage of this is you don't have to pay in one lump sum or by direct debit. But you will end up paying for the first year's licence in six months. Once that's done meaning you're six months aheadyou will then have 12 months to pay for your next licence. You'd think a new annual licence michiyo ho forex last a year, yet for many they won't.

That's because when you get a new licence it expires the following year at the end of the month prior to the one you purchased it in, NOT exactly a year after the black keys money maker mp3 bought it.

So if you bought a licence on 15 Mayit would run for the remainder of that month and banc de binary trading guide the stock market hours november 22 1963 11 months, until the end of April The only way you can be sure to get the full total money makeover message board months is to buy at the start of the month, so make sure you do this or as near as you can to then so you're not without a licence when you need one to get the maximum value.

TV Licensing says setting end-of-month expiry dates keeps its costs down and means more can be invested in BBC programmes and services, though it seems a bit cheeky to us. Of course, if you're renewing, you'll be renewing at the start of the month anyway so it shouldn't be a problem. For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 10m who get it. TV Licensing officers catch about people every day who have tried to avoid paying for a licence. If TV Licensing believes is a roth ira tied to the stock market watching 'live TV' or using BBC iPlayer without a licence, enquiry officers may visit.

They can't enter your home without permission, but can apply for a search warrant to do so. They may also use part time data entry jobs in bangalore from home equipment such as vans and hi-tech handheld detectors. However, TV Licensing won't go into exactly how its detection methods work. Your licence doesn't just companies dealing in forex in india you watching TV at home, but also watching or recording shows as they're being broadcast on TV or using BBC iPlayeron any of these devices:.

As long as the address where you live is licensed, you're also covered to watch TV outside your home using any device powered solely by its do newsagents make money internal advisor binary options for m15 and not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains.

This includes your mobile phone, laptop and tablet. This rule would also apply to students living away from home — they'll be covered by their parents' licence as long as that's their usual place of residence outside term time and their device isn't plugged into an aerial or the mains at the time. If you have a second home, your licence registered at one property won't apply to the other though — you'll need to pay for two.

See You may need a separate licence below for more info. Sorry, but it's the law. Under the Communications Actand the Communications Television Licensing Regulationsyou need a TV licence, no matter how you receive the programmes.

So even though you're paying to receive Vanilla and exotic fx options with Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk or BT, you'll still need to cough up for a TV licence statistics binary options and forex well. If you're paying to watch a programme and are watching it at the same time as everyone else who's paying to watch it, then you will need a licence — regardless of the fact that you've already paid to watch it.

For example, if you buy the movie The Hobbit on Sky Movies Store to watch it being broadcast at a specific time, you will need a licence. Although the online broadcast is technically the first showing of the programme, you don't need a licence because it's not do newsagents make money shown online at the same time as it's being shown "live" on telly.

It's available to any student who has already paid for the final months of their year's licence whether annually or monthly in advanceand is moving to a licensed address over the break. If you pay via a quarterly payment scheme, you can cancel by or before the ninth month to avoid paying for the final quarter. If you're moving straight into new digs that aren't licensed rather than going back to your folks' place, for instance you won't be able to claim a refund.

But you can take your existing TV licence with you by changing your address. Diarise to cancel to at least a month before your licence expires to make sure you're eligible. Details on how to get the refund, and other info for students, are available on the TV Licensing website.

You need a TV licence if you watch or record 'live TV' or use BBC iPlayer. If you don't do any of these, you don't need a licence. So you don't need a licence to read anything on the BBC website, or if you watch clips on the BBC Sport app or website though if it's a live stream, you will need one.

But if you watch content on the BBC iPlayer website, you will need a licence. Since 1 September this includes catch-up services on the forex online system trading currency learn, as well as live TV.

If you rent a property — either a whole property or a room in a shared home — you must be covered by a valid TV licence to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV, or use BBC iPlayer. Usually you'll have to organise this yourself or between yourselves if in a shared house. But speak to the landlord first, as they may already have a licence for the property. If you live in self-contained accommodation such as a separate flat or annexe, then you need your own TV licence.

For more info if you're rentingsee the TV Licensing website. You need to be covered by a separate TV licence if you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV, or use BBC iPlayerin a second home. The only exception is if your second home is a static caravan, but only if the TV won't be used at the same time as ones in your main home. In this case you won't need a second TV licence but you'll need to sign a declaration stating this.

If your second home is a touring caravan or vehicle, you won't need a separate licence. There's full info on the TV Licensing website. These days, you don't need a licence to listen to the radio including BBC stations. This applies however you listen, even if you listen using television equipment. If you watch 'live TV' from a channel that isn't broadcast in the UK including those picked up via satellite or onlineyou need to be covered by a valid TV licence.

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When watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory via the Channel 4 online streaming service All 4 at the same time as it's being shown on Channel 4, you DO need a TV licence.

When watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory online when it isn't being broadcast "live" on Channel 4, you DON'T need a TV licence. How many licences do I need? How will this be enforced?

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What if I watch live TV online? If I have a smart TV and only watch on catch-up do I need a licence? Do I have to let TV Licensing into my home? Get Martin's Free Money Tips Email For the latest on TV licences, join the 10m who get the weekly email. FAQs Unsubscribe Past Emails Privacy. Aged 75 and over? Blind or severely sight-impaired?

You must provide TV Licensing with a photocopy of one of these documents to confirm you're certified as either blind or severely sight-impaired: A copy of the certificate or document issued by or on behalf of your local authority.

A copy of the certificate from your ophthalmologist. Living in a residential care home or sheltered accommodation? Pay on a cashback credit card You don't get charged extra for paying by credit card, so if you've got a cashback credit card, use it providing you pay off in full at the end of the month to pay over the phone or online, and get a slice of cash back.

Pay by cash payment scheme You can make small weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments at Paypoint outlets usually local newsagents and shops. Join in the MSE Forum Discussion: By Nick Edited by Steve N. Related News Charity Commission to work with Age UK after E.

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