TV Licensing Reminds New Students to get Licensed as They Start University

TV Licensing Reminds New Students to get Licensed as They Start University

LONDON, August 15, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

TV Licensing Encourages Students to Buy Their Licence Early to Get Money
Back at Year End

As students across the UK celebrate their A-Level results this week
(August 18), TV Licensing is reminding those heading to university for the
first time that they can give themselves one thing fewer to do during hectic
Freshers' Week by buying their first TV Licence online now at
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo

Those who get organised now and buy a licence to cover themselves from
the start of term could also save themselves money in the long run. Refunds
can be claimed for any three full calendar months before a licence expires
so anyone returning home for the summer holidays may qualify to receive
around GBP37 back.

A TV Licence is needed for watching or recording any programmes at the
same time as they are shown on TV, regardless of the equipment used,
including computers and mobile phones. With students increasingly taking
laptops, smartphones and next-generation games consoles to university, TV
Licensing is reminding students - and their parents- about when a licence is
needed, so that they have all of the information they need to ensure they
are on the right side of the law from day one.

Students can buy a licence in a matter of minutes with a few clicks of a
mouse at TV Licensing's website - just visit TV Licensing for Students
[http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo ].

Pauline Gillingham, TV Licensing spokesperson, said:

"Starting university is a really exciting time for new students but it's
also incredibly busy at the start of the term, particularly during Freshers'
Week. Students may find they have a rather long to-do list at that time, so
it makes sense for them to get organised ahead of term and buy their TV
Licence now at http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo or by calling
0300 790 6090. Plus, if they buy in good time they can save money at the end
of the year.

"It's not worth risking being caught without a TV Licence. Anyone caught
watching TV illegally risks prosecution and a maximum fine of GBP1,000."

Lynne Condell, Chairperson of the National Association of Student Money
Advisers, said:

"We know that students are extremely busy at the start of their first
term at university so it's good to get some of the important things, like
buying a TV Licence, out of the way. Buying a TV Licence
[http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo ] early may pay off financially
later in the year as it means students could be eligible for a partial
refund when they return home for the holidays for the last unused quarter of
their licence."

For more information please contact Suzanne Stevenson on 0207-544-3144.

Notes to Editors

TV Licensing, students and the law

When you need a TV Licence:

A licence is needed if you're watching or recording television
programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV. This is true no
matter what device you're watching on (including TV sets, laptops, mobile
phones) and no matter how you're receiving the programmes (
includingterrestrial, satellite, cable or digital television channels or via
the internet). Anyone without a valid TV Licence who watches or records
television programmes as described above risks prosecution and a fine of up
to GBP1,000.

1) If you live in halls of residence and use a device to
watch/record TV in your own room, you need your own separate TV Licence
2) You also need your own licence if you are sharing a house with
other students and use a device to watch/record TV in your room, and
your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement
would normally indicate that this is the case).
3) If you have a separate tenancy agreement but a television is
only being used in a communal area, then only one licence is required.
4) If you are sharing a house with other students and you use a
device to watch/record TV in your own room, but the house can be treated
as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required (a
joint tenancyagreement would usually be evidence that the house is a
single licensable place for this purpose).
5) A device powered by its own internal batteries - a pocket sized
TV or a mobile phone for example - may be covered by a licence at the
student's parents' address. However, you must not install the device
(plug it into the mains) when using it to receive television. If there
is no TV Licence at your parents' address, you will need to obtain one
to watch TV.

Cost of TV Licence:

A colour TV Licence currently costs GBP145.50
[https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo ], and a black and white licence
is GBP49. They will remain at these rates for the next few years as the TV
Licence fee has been frozen until 2017.

TV Licensing refund for students:

If you are moving back home for the summer from university and no longer
need a TV Licence over the holidays, and there are three full calendar
months before your licence expires, you are entitled to a refund for the
unused, quarter of your licence.

You will need to ensure you buy a licence early on, by the end of
September/ early October, in order to allow enough time at the end of the
academic year to qualify for a refund. The refund on a TV Licence bought
after April 2010 will be around GBP37.

To arrange your refund, or for further information, simply
visithttp://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfowhere you can complete an
online form, or call TV Licensing on 0300-790-6090.

Source: TV Licensing

.

-------
Profile: intent