Do I need a radio licence?

alirob12

Hi

I run a small b&b - 2 rooms only same building as my house. Do i need a radio licence? I have just renewed a tv licence and I only have to pay 1 - for my home and the business, but am not sure ab radio?
Thanks

Owain_Moneysaver

Radio licences were abolished in 1971.

If your house remains a domestic dwelling, which it should do, then you probably won't need PRS licences.

DCodd

alir!!!2 wrote: »

Hi

I run a small b&b - 2 rooms only same building as my house. Do i need a radio licence? I have just renewed a tv licence and I only have to pay 1 - for my home and the business, but am not sure ab radio?
Thanks

I think you are refering to a PRS and PPl licence. If you have radios and TVs in the rooms that you rent out or in any communal areas then I would say yes, both PRS and PPL will probably say that if the radio or TV from your own accomodation can be heard or may be heard by your paying guests then you need one as well but that is debateable.
http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.ppluk.com/

Check both websites and see if you think you need one. There is ongoing debates as to how far the law requires people to have licences but if you have paying guests with access to tvs and radios then I think it is more than likely you will need one or the other or even both.

alirob12

Hi,

Thanks very much,

Yes I am reffering to PRS and PPl licences. I have 2 TVs with freeview in the guest rooms, and my home tv licence covers it. I wanted to put a small radio in the communal area to play at breakfast, but I cant justify spending a £100/yr as apparently I can put a TV with freeview and play radio like that and that apparently is fine?
Thank you

Paddy2eyes

You will need a licence whether music is played in a public area on a CD player, radio, TV or any other device. You may need a PRS/PPL licence to cover the TVs you have in the bedrooms.

KimYeovil

If you can not afford £2 per week to pay a just and due charge then you should find another line of business.

borders_dude

KimYeovil wrote: »

If you can not afford £2 per week to pay a just and due charge then you should find another line of business.

Sounds a bit harsh but true. Sometimes there is no other way.

paulwf

KimYeovil wrote: »

If you can not afford £2 per week to pay a just and due charge then you should find another line of business.

The OP didn't say they couldn't afford it though, they said they would use alternatives if there was a charge...this is good business sense to minimise expenditure if there are alternatives.

I'm not sure the OP is correct about the alternatives but the problem is if you phone up the PRS for a chat about what you can and can't do you'll never get rid of them.

OP there are plenty of trade associations that should be able to help.

DCodd

paulwf wrote: »

The OP didn't say they couldn't afford it though, they said they would use alternatives if there was a charge...this is good business sense to minimise expenditure if there are alternatives.

I'm not sure the OP is correct about the alternatives but the problem is if you phone up the PRS for a chat about what you can and can't do you'll never get rid of them.

OP there are plenty of trade associations that should be able to help.

The FSB seem to not want to get invloved with this issue but I would say that the op will have to pay at least a PRS and Probably a PPL licence if they have TV's in the rooms as they are charging for use of the rooms. Where the arguments start is when the PRS demand payment if there is just a TV or Radio in the the OP's living areas saying that the broadcast could be heard by the paying guests.

http://www.prsformusic.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PPS%20Tariffs/HR-2009-07%20Tariff.pdf

DCodd

KimYeovil wrote: »

If you can not afford £2 per week to pay a just and due charge then you should find another line of business.

It is this type of attitude that breeds resentment to paying the fees. Your argument could be reversed, if the musicians ae reliant on £2 per week then maybe they should find another line of business!

The op has the right to reduce their overheads by not having TV's or radios in the public part of their establishment and your comments are not productive and come across as offensive.

Mupette

Ah ignore Kim Yeovil, they are but a troll.

OP i would just put the freeview on to radio and save money