TV Licence Help Shared House

[Brownguy53]

I've moved into a student property while I'm at university and live in a shared flat.

 

The house is a 3 floor house with each floor having flats.

 

In my flat our landlord advertised the tenancy with Sky TV & tv licence included in the rent.

 

Last month all of us noticed tv licence letters coming through the post.

As it was easter we ignored it.

 

I opened one today as it was just address to the occupier and it says they're sending their 'manchester' enforcement team for a visit due to non response.

 

As a student what can I do?

 

I'm the only one in the house who has the Sky in my room but it was advertised in my bill by the landlord.

 

The other tenants have tvs too but just use it for x box and stuff.

[matt v atos]

Fill it in giving your landlord. name and address then send it back or you can stick it in the bin if you like !

[Brownguy53]

Where is an area to fill it in and provide landlords details?

[stu007]

Hi

 

You say it was advertised with Sky TV & TV Licence remember that is only an advertisement what does your tenancy agreement say?

[Brownguy53]

tenancy agreement says incs sky tv thats it

[postggj]

If each resident has a lockable door to their flat or bedroom in a shared house, each lodger will need a TV licence

[matt v atos]

"In my flat our landlord advertised the tenancy with Sky TV & tv license included in the rent".

 

Do you still have this ad

[stu007]

That's where the issue lies in your tenancy agreement it only says 'Sky TV' only not TV Licence and as it was advertised with a TV Licence you have later on accepting property signed the agreement stating sky tv only.

 

I am afraid there is probably no come back on the Landlord as it may have been advertised with it but as its not on the signed agreement the TV Licence is not the Landlord responsibility but the current occupiers of the property.

[john10001]

If each resident has a lockable door to their flat or bedroom in a shared house, each lodger will need a TV licence

 

That is incorrect. You would only need one per address regardless of how many rooms are within that dwelling and regardless of whether they have lockable doors to internal rooms, provided they are not all self contained, but there are communal areas that are shared, it is a shared residence not different addresses.

 

Even then, they would only need one if they watch television "as it is being broadcast" [EDIT]

Edited April 12, 2013 by dx100uk
thanks for that - dx

[john10001]

I'm afraid that means you would be the one that would need to buy it.

 

You will save a lot of money if you give up TV "as it is broadcast" and just watch catch up TV, Sky Go, ITV Player etc [edit]

Edited April 12, 2013 by dx100uk
as your other ID post - thanks for that - dx

[Brownguy53]

i see. so if i buy a tv licence online now..will they still come and send an enforcement team?

[dx100uk]

IMHO you need to check the tv licencing site for the address

and see WHAT licence is held.

 

if its a communal 'business' hotel / bnb licence

you're ok

 

if not 'you' will need one

[postggj]

That is incorrect. You would only need one per address regardless of how many rooms are within that dwelling and regardless of whether they have lockable doors to internal rooms, provided they are not all self contained, but there are communal areas that are shared, it is a shared residence not different addresses.

 

Even then, they would only need one if they watch television "as it is being broadcast" [EDIT]

 

If you've signed a joint tenancy agreement with your housemates, it's likely you'll only need one TV Licence to cover all the TV receivers in your house. So it's a good idea to share the cost. If you don't have a licence between you, whoever is found watching TV when an Enforcement Officer comes to visit is at risk of being prosecuted and fined up to £1,000. It could be you, whether you own the TV or not.

If you've signed a separate tenancy agreement and you're using a TV receiver in your room, you'll need a TV Licence of your own.

Edited April 12, 2013 by squaddie

[postggj]

be careful with advice as it may result in a court appearance

[stu007]

squaddie has a valid point their was it a joint tenancy agreement at all?

[jackieandwayne]

I used to manage an HMO for a HA. 6 bedsits, 1 self contained flat, all under the same roof, each a separate tenancy, all behind private lockable doors. One licence for the whole house, paid for and managed by the HA. Does this help?

[Brownguy53]

Hi,

 

My tenancy is all separate. The house is a 3 floor building. 2 Flats downstairs are run by other landlords. Mine is 3 lockable rooms. shared kitchen shared bathroom. The tv in my room has a sky box.

I therefore now decided to be safe and paid £38 for a quarterly TV licence plan.

 

Will I still get arrested or fined if the TV Licence enforcement team show up? I asked for my tv licence in the post although they gave me the details there and then when my card went through?

 

The two other housemates have TV's in their room but my other mate says he doesn't get any signal and he just uses it for xbox. And same for other tenant..

Would i get in trouble for them????

[postggj]

no, you hold a licence now, you are in the clear, your friends will have a problem if they are found out watching TV if an insprctor call round

 

i applied online and got my licence via email

[Old Cogger]

One aerial = 1 licence? Durham County Court judgment 1966 brought by an army unit!????

[postggj]

The primary legislation has now changed, anyway, civil courts do not set precedent

 

The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 is the statutory legislation now, that is the delegated legislation to the primary legislation

 

Communications Act 2003

 

Your licence covers you, not your premises

 

If all the tenants in a shared occupancy house have signed a joint tenancy agreement, as used to be the norm for students, you only need one TV licence for the house. If you all have separate contracts, as is the norm for HMOs in general and increasingly common for students, you each need a separate licence, though you don’t need an additional licence for any TV in a communal area, as each of your licences also covers this

Edited April 12, 2013 by squaddie

[tiafilson]

Its your landlord issue not yours. Although when you live in shared accommodation with locks on each door, they may claim each resident needs and individual license. I had this problem before in uni but just lied and said all the rooms were communal and that seemed to work.

[postggj]

The primary legislation has now changed, anyway, civil courts do not set precedent

 

The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 is the statutory legislation now, that is the delegated legislation to the primary legislation

 

Communications Act 2003

 

Your licence covers you, not your premises

 

If all the tenants in a shared occupancy house have signed a joint tenancy agreement, as used to be the norm for students, you only need one TV licence for the house. If you all have separate contracts, as is the norm for HMOs in general and increasingly common for students, you each need a separate licence, though you don’t need an additional licence for any TV in a communal area, as each of your licences also covers this

 

Do not lie, and advocating deceiving an inspector will get you in a whole lot of trouble with a court appearance, if you are unsure of the regulations then please refrain from posting

[caro]

Its your landlord issue not yours. Although when you live in shared accommodation with locks on each door, they may claim each resident needs and individual license. I had this problem before in uni but just lied and said all the rooms were communal and that seemed to work.

 

You were lucky to get away with that. I don't know how you could claim that locked rooms, quite likely some with en suites, were communal. Not to be recommended methinks.

[Brownguy53]

Yeah my room is ensuite it has a shower whilst as no1 elses has. I've just paid it as it's so much easier and with the fact that my landlord has a £300 deposit from me I need back I can't be bothered with the headache

[stu007]

Hi

 

This link from TV Licensing will be of use in answering your question: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/tenants-and-lodgers-aud2/