Student's TV licence

[reallymadwoman]

I've just had a bit of a panicky email from my daughter. She's in halls of residence at Uni and has a TV licence.

 

The accomodation is a flat with it's own entrance in which the 6 students have their own bedrooms and share a kitchen/sitting room. TV is provided via the university internet and they all watch on laptops etc.

 

Yesterday they received a letter from the Uni saying one of the residents had been using a TV in the sitting room without a licence and they're taking further action. It may have been my daughter. Does her licence really only cover her for using the TV in her own room as this is what they are implying. I thought TV licences covered the whole house - and if they don't, why have I (nor any of the other millions) never been done for having several TVs.

 

The students in the next flat have received the same letter.

 

What do I tell them? Can the Uni tell which laptop was allegedly receiving the TV, or is it going to end up with them all denying any knowledge so they all end up in trouble?

[andydd]

I've just had a bit of a panicky email from my daughter. She's in halls of residence at Uni and has a TV licence.

 

The accomodation is a flat with it's own entrance in which the 6 students have their own bedrooms and share a kitchen/sitting room. TV is provided via the university internet and they all watch on laptops etc.

 

Yesterday they received a letter from the Uni saying one of the residents had been using a TV in the sitting room without a licence and they're taking further action. It may have been my daughter. Does her licence really only cover her for using the TV in her own room as this is what they are implying. I thought TV licences covered the whole house - and if they don't, why have I (nor any of the other millions) never been done for having several TVs.

 

The students in the next flat have received the same letter.

 

What do I tell them? Can the Uni tell which laptop was allegedly receiving the TV, or is it going to end up with them all denying any knowledge so they all end up in trouble?

 

Hhmm..Odd

 

Can you clarify "TV is provided via the university internet and they all watch on laptops etc." ?

 

Does this mean that they watch the standard live broadcasts on the internet of BBC One for example ?..Or a specialist Uni service ?

 

As for "Can the Uni tell which laptop was allegedly receiving the TV", I would of said no but if there is some sort of Uni service providing live TV then its possible there could be some sort of IP logging service enabling them to track certain laptops, I'd be very very suprised if this was the case though.

 

Now the most puzzling part..How on earth do the Uni know wether students have a licence or not !?

 

Also I do believe that if a laptop isnt plugged in then it would be considered a mobile device and she may well be covered by your home licence. This applies if someone has a mobile phone for example and watch live TV on it, they don't need a seperate licence as well as their home one.

 

At the end of the day i wouldnt worry too much, its almost impossible to be prosecuted for not having a licence unless you admit and/or sign something proclaiming you have no licence and you watch live tv or you show a TV Licence inspector around your property, you are under no legal obligation to do either.

 

Perhaps you could scan up the letter ?. remove any personal and Uni details.

------------------------------------

 

Ok..Ive re-read your post and it makes more sense, but is still ridiculous, assuming that each student has a licence for that 'property', the Uni is saying that each time you leave the room you are in effect in a different property, assuming that the living room is in the same address then the Uni are talking rubbish, as you point out, you don't need a different licence for each room in your house !

 

Do each of the rooms have a number on the door ?

 

Quite clearly laptops are by their very nature mobile so it is perfectly ok to watch live tv on the laptop anywhere, (although in theory It shouldnt be plugged in) if you have a licence at 'home'.

 

Andy

Edited November 15, 2009 by andydd

[reallymadwoman]

Thanks for the reassurance. I was almost certain that my daughter is not in any trouble, but almost isn't always quite good enough. There is a number on the door of her room and at registration the Uni did make it absolutely clear that they do provide live TV through their network but each student must have their own TV licence - and guess who's paying for that!

I can't post the letter because daughter doesn't have access to a scanner.

How would the Uni know who does or doesn't have a licence? Perhaps they just assume the students can't afford to pay for one, but why would they be bothered anyway? Surely it's nothing to do with them?

[buzby]

No licence would be required for communal areas, as the Uni's block licence would cover this (it is actually the address that is licenced, not the person). Hoever, whn students have their own rooms, there is no communal aspect involved, and unless there is an additional licence to cover these rooms, a licence is required.

 

No the confusing bit. It has been long held that providing there is a TV licence at the usual home address of the student, NO additional licence need be purchased. So, if YOU have one, then you have no need to ask her to purchase another.

 

What complicates this is the same holds true if (say) you have a holiday home. You do not need a licence for the holiday address, but the caveat is all the family need to have decamped to the holiday home, as it has been held that if only part of the family is there, and there is effectively concurrent use of TV at BOTH properties, then an additional licence is required.

 

Ob balance - I'd suggest that you tell her to say to the UNI that she's already covered by her family licence at home, and unless they put forward some reason why this waiver cannot be used, you'll be safe enough!

[reallymadwoman]

Ob balance - I'd suggest that you tell her to say to the UNI that she's already covered by her family licence at home, and unless they put forward some reason why this waiver cannot be used, you'll be safe enough!

 

She already has a TV licence in her name/address, as advised by the Uni at registration. I think the problem is that not everyone in the accomodation has one, though how the Uni know I have no idea. Either way, it seems this is not her problem. I've told her not to argue with anyone over this, just produce her licence and tell them to leave her alone.

[buzby]

I did hear a tale that TVLRO were being heavy with the Uni authorities, holding them equally responsible - so it looks as though their initiative is to show that they are at least ensuring compliance, which in your own family's case - is irrelevant.

[reallymadwoman]

That might explain why the Uni are being so heavy handed. I was a bit surprised by how they were pushing everyone to get a tv licence at registration - I'd have thought when dealing with a bunch of new students probably living away from home for the first time tv licences are not that high on the list of things to worry about.

[andydd]

That might explain why the Uni are being so heavy handed. I was a bit surprised by how they were pushing everyone to get a tv licence at registration - I'd have thought when dealing with a bunch of new students probably living away from home for the first time tv licences are not that high on the list of things to worry about.

 

It is quite feasible now to not need a licence, it may be that the student doesnt watch live TV or its possible to watch almost everything these days via catch-up services for which no licence is required.

 

Andy