22 December 2008
TV Licences
If you supply a TV for your
tenants you as landlord share responsibility
with the tenant for ensuring that there is a TV
license. You could be landed with a hefty fine
if your tenant fails to pay for a TV license.
Follow the rules and recommendations below and
you should be OK.
Key Points
- It may be a bit of hassle sourcing and erecting boards, but they are
a powerful means of communicating
- They work extremely well when combined with other methods such as
classifieds and the Internet.
- Once you have the board you can use it again and again.
Quote: "The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law" Jeremy Bentham
Full Article
'To Let' Boards & Signs
Landlord Guide
- Either, don't provide TVs, or
- If you do, have a tenant proposal form and lease agreement which
make it clear that the tenant is responsible for the TV license, or
- Buy an annual license and add the cost to the rent or service
charges.
Landlords
If you provide a TV in your rental premises and your tenants use it then
you can both be held responsible for paying for a license! If the lease
makes it clear that the tenant is responsible for buying the TV License then
the landlord's risk is considerably reduced, though not entirely -
ultimately both parties are open to prosecution.
Tenants
Tenants should ensure that a TV used in a rental property is properly
licensed, even if it is supplied by the landlord. Where several tenants
share a property and have their own TVs then one of the following applies:
- Under separate tenancy agreements all tenants will need their own
licenses
- If it's a joint tenancy then only one license is needed.
Lodgers
Lodgers need a separate TV license if they have their own TV in a
bedroom, the exceptions being:
- If the lodger is a family member.
- If the lodger lives in the same household due to a relationship
(e.g. common law relationships)If the lodger is employed by the
household (e.g. au pair, housekeeper, cook).
Students
Students are in the same position as any other tenant, if they have a TV
set (or Computer which receives TV broadcasts) in their room and it is used
they have to have a license. Their TV set is not covered by their parent's
license as many might imagine.
Businesses
If a business has a TV set/s or computers used for receiving TV
broadcasts then they need a license. In commercial premises this is quite
clearly the tenant's responsibility though as a precaution the lease should
make this clear.
Where a part of the premises is sub-let, this additional tenancy will
also need a license if TVs or receiving equipment are used.
Hotels
There are special rules for hotels, hostels and residential care homes -
see the TV Licensing Agency site.
TV Dealers
Remember that TV dealers must by law inform the TV Licensing Agency of
all sales of TV receiving equipment within 28 days of the sale.
© LandlordZONE® 1999-2009 All Rights Reserved - never rely totally on our standard answers and general content which relates primarily to England & Wales. Before taking action or not, always do your own research and seek appropriate professional advice with the full facts of the case and all documents to hand. LandlordZONE.co.uk®
Related Topics
