TV Licence - shared house and others refuse to pay

BMH_123

Hi all,

First time posting so please excuse any "newbie-ness" or mistakes.

I rent in a shared house of four, under a joint tenancy agreement. My housemates are refusing to pay the TV Licence now it is up for renewal, despite having paid it previously. They claim they don't watch any live TV or any programming that comes under the listed regulations on the TV Licensing website (I know they watch the occasional bit of live TV or iPlayer stuff, not that the frequency of this is relevant here particularly), but we do have a Virgin Media subscription (this is primarily for internet purposes, but includes a standard Virgin Media M TV package to reduce the size of the monthly bill). I personally do use live TV services and would happily pay the TV Licence share as usual. My housemates contend they do not wish to pay the TV Licence as they don't feel it justified based on how little they watch/want to dodge paying it to save a few pounds. Their argument is that once investigated, they'll just unplug the aerial from the TV and TV Licensing will see that it's not plugged in and leave us alone.

Now I know that TV Licensing more than likely won't accept that argument as it's ridiculously flimsy and if it worked everyone would do it, but I wonder where I stand on matters personally? Like I mentioned above, I am happy to pay my share of the fee, but I don't think it's fair I should shoulder the entire fee considering I live in a shared house and everyone is bound to use live TV services at some point or another. I should add I recently lost my job due to the pandemic and am claiming UC to support my livelihood, whereas the others living here are all in full time employment.

I would appreciate any advice or support in relation of how to handle this with TV Licensing if they come knocking properly (reminder letters have been received), and where I stand personally. I am concerned I may be fined and worse despite wanting to pay my share of the fee.

Many thanks,

J

theoretica

Stop using the live TV and cancel the Virgin subscription?  If your housemates want to save money by stopping watching live TV your choices are either to join them in not watching or to pay yourself.

bradders1983

As an aside, if they come knocking, they have no right of access and no right to let themselves into the property. You also have to admit nothing on the doorstep. Do with this info as you see fit.

pphillips

I think you need to take personal responsibility for your decision to watch scheduled TV channels and BBC iPlayer, perhaps an honesty box system for your flatmates would work. If not, it's unfortunate if they are the type of people who just want to piggyback off of your TV licence but there is not much you can do about it.

poppasmurf_bewdley

If it's a shared house, each with their own room, doesn't each resident have to have their own TV licence? 

bradders1983

poppasmurf_bewdley said:

If it's a shared house, each with their own room, doesn't each resident have to have their own TV licence? 

Not necessarily no. Depends how the house was let, if there are locks on each door etc etc.

Mickey666

bradders1983 said:§

poppasmurf_bewdley said:

If it's a shared house, each with their own room, doesn't each resident have to have their own TV licence? 

Not necessarily no. Depends how the house was let, if there are locks on each door etc etc.

. . . And whether the TV is in a common area of the property.

BMH_123

There’s TVs in bedrooms and living room, with locks on bedroom doors but you wouldn’t consider them separate households or anything. It’s a shame there doesn’t seem to be much protection if some in the household just refuse to pay...

Mickey666

But why SHOULD anyone pay if they don’t need one?  Why should YOUR viewing habits be subsidised by anyone else?

poppasmurf_bewdley

BMH_123 said:

There’s TVs in bedrooms and living room, with locks on bedroom doors but you wouldn’t consider them separate households or anything. It’s a shame there doesn’t seem to be much protection if some in the household just refuse to pay...

In that case, I believe each resident would require their own TV licence. 
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ47#:~:text=In a shared house with,watching TV in communal areas.

bradders1983

Depends if its a joint tenancy agreement or not. When I was a student in Leeds we all went in to the letting agent and signed the same piece of paper.