Get a TV licence early and save money, students told
Students are being advised to get their TV licences early to avoid heavy fines and potentially save themselves money.
By law anyone with television equipment - whether it is a straightforward television, a PC with a broadcast card, a DVD or video-recorder or a set-top box - must have a TV licence if they use it to pick up a TV signal. People who only use a TV to watch DVDs, for example, do not require licences.
A colour licence currently costs £126.50 per year, but most students don't need a full year's coverage. With a little organisation, TV Licensing is advising students that they can save some money by getting in early: part of a licence can be refunded if it isn't needed, but only three months at a time.
For example, if you get your licence in October it will expire at the end of September 2006. If you don't need it after June 2006, you should be able to get the remaining three months refunded – saving a total of £31.62.
Of course, as well as the carrot there is also the stick. Last year TV Licensing caught an average of a thousand people per day. If you're caught out, you could end up in court with a fine of £1,000 plus costs – and you'll still have to get that licence.
"Being caught without a TV licence is no joke, which is why we're urging university students to get a licence, if they need one, as soon as possible this year," said Nicky Barrett, Student Campaign Manager for TV Licensing.
"Our Enquiry Officers and detector vans are going to be checking up on student university accommodation throughout the UK, so students should seriously think about getting a TV licence now so they can avoid a fine."
Students aren't covered by their parents' licences, or by their university's if they put a TV in their halls of residence room. Some student houses also require licences for individual bedrooms.
The organisation has a dedicated information page for students on its website, which includes details of how to pay and how to claim the refund.
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