Posted 1 day ago
Thu 16 Jul, 2026 12:07 AM
You need to buy a TV licence if:
- you watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service
- download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer either live, catch up or on demand.
It doesn’t matter what device you use – TV, laptop, tablet, mobile phone or games console or how you receive the programmes; via an aerial, satellite, cable or streaming through the internet.
This is the law and anyone in University of Leeds accommodation who watches or records television programmes as they're being shown on TV without a valid TV licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
Find out more about how much a TV licence costs and the different ways to pay on the TV Licensing website.
Telling TV Licensing you don’t need a licence
You may not need a TV licence if you're leaving your halls and moving back home for the summer and there's already a TV licence at home.
If there are three full calendar months before your licence expires, you can get a refund for the unused quarter of your licence. Find out more at TV Licensing for students or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.
