Firstly, let’s quickly go over what a TV Licence is and when you’ll need one.
You’ll need to purchase a TV Licence when you move into your student property if you plan on watching, recording, or streaming live TV programmes or any BBC programme. This can be on a TV or a laptop – whatever device you’re using, if you’re watching live TV, you’ll need a licence. However, if you’ve recently moved into your student accommodation and a TV was already supplied, then it’s the landlord or letting agent’s responsibility to apply and pay for the TV Licence.
For a more detailed breakdown of the exemptions of a TV Licence, read our blog “When are students exempt from a TV Licence?”
There are seven main circumstances that the TV Licensing company will consider when a refund has been requested. Not all of these will be relevant to students, but we’ve listed them below.
✅ The TV receiving equipment is no longer in use
✅ The address is covered by another licence
✅ The TV Licence was bought in error
✅ A replacement TV Licence has been purchased
✅ A blind certificate has been issued to you
✅ A free TV Licence has been issued to you
✅ The Licence holder has passed away
If you fall into one of the above categories, then you must apply for a refund within two years of the expiry date of the licence. For students, the categories you’ll more than likely fall into are as follows:
👉🏻 The TV receiving equipment is no longer in use. If you bought a TV Licence because you had the intention of using your TV, laptop, or any other device to watch live TV, but you’ve found that all you watch is Netflix or Disney+, then you could be entitled to a refund. This also applies if the device that you watched live TV on has broken and you’ve no intention of replacing it.
👉🏻 The address is covered by another licence. If you’ve moved into a shared house where you’re all on the same contract, not individual ones then only one person needs to apply for a TV Licence. This is the same if you move in with your partner or parents – only one person in the household needs to have a licence.
👉🏻 The licence was bought in error. Maybe you panicked when you moved into your new student home and bought a TV Licence when actually you don’t need one, or maybe you’ve realised that you and your housemate have a licence when you only need one. If that’s the case, you can apply for a refund.
For more information on each of the listed categories, please visit the TV Licencing website.
Claiming a refund is pretty easy. However, you can only apply for a refund if you won’t need your licence anymore before its expiry date and there’s more than one complete month left on it or if your licence expired less than two years ago.
If you’re eligible for a refund, all you need to do is fill out the application form on the TV Licencing website. They’ll work out exactly how much you’re due to be refunded using the information you give them. They’ll then let you know if they can offer you a refund and the amount it’ll be – simple!
Utility bills, broadband, and TV Licences can all become a little confusing, especially when you’re trying to work out how to split them equally between you and your housemates. That’s why we’ve made things as simple as possible here at Split The Bills. You can build your own package by choosing the utilities you want to be included. This means that if you if you do need a TV Licence – we’ll add it on and set that up for you! The best bit? Each member of the household will have their own login to their Split The Bills account and will only pay their share of the bills each month. So, no more awkward conversations chasing up your friends for late payments!
Split The Bills is an easy, stress-free way for you and your mates to pay for your bills without the hassle of talking to providers or falling out amongst yourselves. Have a look at how we work, or contact us today with any questions or enquiries you might have.
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