Students in Preston moving out of their accommodation could be due a £50 TV Licence refund

Thousands of university students across Preston could be eligible for a TV Licence refund worth one third of the annual fee.
More than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for the rebate.More than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for the rebate.
More than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for the rebate.

TV Licensing has revealed that more than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for a £50 rebate from the company.

Matthew Thompson, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said: “We’re encouraging all eligible students to take up the refund, which is quick and easy to apply for.”

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Students can claim for any full months left on their licence; so if they bought their licence last October and moved out in May, they could receive a refund worth £50.50.

More than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for the rebate.More than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for the rebate.
More than 72,000 students across the county could be in line for the rebate.

A colour TV Licence currently costs £150.50, and a black and white licence is £50.50.

Izzy Lenga, the National Union of Students Vice President for Welfare, said: “A TV Licence is valid for a whole year, so if students buy a licence in October they can apply for a refund when the academic year has finished, as they are no longer living in student accommodation.”

She added: “This is money that often students just can’t afford to miss out on and could go a long way in helping to cover the rising costs of living.”

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Mr Thompson added: “It’s important students buy a TV Licence when starting university to take advantage of the flexible payment options and avoid a fine of up to £1,000.”

A refund of 50.50 could be due if you're a student moving out of your accommodation.A refund of 50.50 could be due if you're a student moving out of your accommodation.
A refund of 50.50 could be due if you're a student moving out of your accommodation.

To arrange a refund or change address, simply visit: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo, or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6113.

When do students need a TV Licence?

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, or to watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer, regardless of which channel you're watching, which device you are using (TV, computer, laptop, tablet, mobile phone or any other), and how you receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the internet or any other way).

• If you live in halls of residence and use a device to watch or record TV in your own room, you may need to be covered by your own separate TV Licence.

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• You also may need to be covered by your own licence if you are sharing a house with other students and use a device to watch/record TV in your room, and your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement would normally indicate that this is the case).

• If you have a separate tenancy agreement but a television is only being used in a communal area, then only one licence is required.

• If you are sharing a house with other students and you use a device to watch/record TV in your own room, but the house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required (a joint tenancy agreement would usually be evidence that the house is a single licensable place for this purpose).

• A device powered by its own internal batteries - a pocket sized TV or a mobile phone for example - may be covered by a licence at the student’s parents' address. However, you must not install the device (plug it into the mains) when using it to receive television. If there is no TV Licence at your parents’ address, you will need to obtain one to watch TV.