November 12, 2013 9.28 am This story is over 124 months old

Young Lincoln residents fined for not buying TV licence

Licence reminder: TV Licensing is reminding people to pay for their licence or risk a large fine or prosecution after 80 people in Lincoln were fined.

TV Licensing is reminding young people in Lincoln to buy a licence before switching on the TV, after almost 100 were caught watching without one.

In the past year Lincoln, 80 people were caught watching TV without a licence.

Across the country, 25,000 under 25s were caught watching TV without a licence, which can lead to a £1,000 fine or prosecution.

TV Licensing believes that many of those caught in Lincoln are of student age, so they are reminding students about the rules regarding live TV.

Whether they are in shared accommodation or halls, if they have a device capable of streaming live TV, all students must purchase a licence to legally watch TV.

For instance, if students live in halls of residence and watch live TV in their room, they will need their own TV Licence.

Students in shared houses will also need their own licence if they use a TV in their room and have a separate tenancy agreement.

Shared houses with joint tenancy agreements require only a single licence for the home.

Mark Whitehouse, spokesperson for TV Licensing in East Anglia, said: “With nearly all students owning at least one device capable of showing live TV – such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet computer – they should know the law around being correctly licensed.

“If you’re watching live TV on any device, including mobiles and tablets, you need a TV Licence.

“Students and young adults need to be aware of their legal responsibilities. Anyone caught watching TV without a TV Licence can face prosecution and a fine of up to a £1,000.

“If students are worried about paying for a TV Licence, they should get in touch. We know some people struggle to pay, and there are many payment options available, from paying in one go to spreading the cost over the year.”

Any student or resident is in doubt about whether they need a licence should call 0300 790 6090, or visit the TV Licensing website.