does my lodger need own tv licence?

grownupgirly

Hi
I have just been away for 4 months in USA. During that time I let out my 2 bedroom flat. Since I was only away for 4 months, the bills carried on coming out of my account by direct debit - the tenants' rent covered the bills. This included my quarterly payments of my tv licence.

When I got back into my flat today, (one of the tenants moved out yesterday) I found a letter addressed to the 'occupier of the front bedroom' from the TV licence folks, saying that their database lists 'this address as being unlicensed' (the tenant had a tv in her own room).

My question is... does my tv license for the tv in the lounge cover the entire house?

My lodger is away until Wednesday, which is why I'm asking you kind folks here! Thanks so much!

Grownupgirly (trying ever so hard to be all grown up but obviously needing a bit more to go)

sparklymessygirl

Hi there,

I found this which suggests that the lodger should have a licence of his own but if you did not provide the tv then I don't think it is seen as your responsibility (from what I can work out)

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/landlords.jsp


Hope this helps
Sparkly

sundancer101

sparklymessygirl wrote: »

Hi there,

I found this which suggests that the lodger should have a licence of his own but if you did not provide the tv then I don't think it is seen as your responsibility (from what I can work out)

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/landlords.jsp


Hope this helps
Sparkly

Didn't think that would be the case but looking at the link shows you are right

robowen

If you rented out the whole flat...then the licence you paid for should suffice.
If you rented out just one room, the tennant needs their own licence.......Thats how I read the terms and conditions.
Rob

grownupgirly

thanks, you lovely folks! I will check out the link... yes, I did let out the whole flat (although on two individual contracts).... but now I am back, I am now renewing things, as a live-in owner, plus one lodger (basic breakfast provided-type deal).

anyways, thanks again!
Gupgirly xx

Bear_family

Hi,

Yes, they do need a TV license. When I was away at Uni I needed one, both when I was in a halls of residence and when I shared a house with 5 other people as we all had separate Tvs! If you can prove in any way they are a relative, I know you said they weren't, then they wouldn't have to pay for a separate license.

Hope this helps.

bf

kittiwoz

Not the case for the OP but with regards to what Bear family wrote it is common for students sharing a house to all be on the same tenancy agreement and jointly and severaly responsible for the rent on the whole house. In this case the tenants don't need separate TV licences even if they have separate TVs in their rooms.

pooranddesperate

I thought the situation was that your lodger would need a television licence if the room is a seperate 'unit', and has a lock on it - if it is merely another bedroom in the house, i think that your one licence should cover the whole property.

the reason that university students in halls have to get separate licences is because their rooms are separate units, and have locks on the doors..