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But, the good news is, you can actually apply for a TV Licence refund for the months you're not using it.
Better yet, it's super simple to claim the money back that you're owed. Read on the find out how to apply for a refund, and how much you could be refunded each month that you're not using a TV Licence.
Did you know you can actually get paid to watch videos, like TV shows, ads, trailers and more? The dream, we know.
Do you need a TV Licence?

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Previously, you didn't need a licence if you only watched programmes on catch-up TV services like BBC iPlayer or All4 (as long as you watched them at least an hour after they've been broadcast).
However, as of September 2016, you need a TV Licence to watch BBC iPlayer as well. For any other catch-up services like ITV Player or All 4, you still do not need a TV Licence – just make sure you don't use them to watch live TV if you don't have a licence.
There's also a small but crucial loophole that means the majority of students still don't have to pay to watch iPlayer – more info here!
Do you need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?
On the whole, if you only watch on-demand TV services like Netflix, NOW TV and Amazon Prime Video, then you don't need to pay for a TV Licence – unless you are streaming or watching live programmes on them, in which case you would need a licence.The same applies to watching videos on other online platforms like YouTube. You would only need a TV Licence to use video-streaming sites like these if you are streaming or watching live programmes on them.
Ultimately, if you watch live TV on any channel or online streaming service, you will need a TV Licence.
If you haven't already, check out our guide to saving money on Netflix.
Does your parents' TV Licence cover you at university?

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But this only applies if you're just watching catch-up TV (including BBC iPlayer) on a device that is not plugged into mains electricity. Weird, we know.
We've got the full details here.
Do you need a TV Licence if you live in a shared house?
If you live in a shared house at university, here are the main rules on whether you can share a TV Licence across the household, or if each housemate needs a separate one:- If you have a joint tenancy agreement, you will only need one TV Licence for the whole house.
- If you have an individual tenancy agreement for each room, each housemate will have to buy their own TV Licence.
Student halls may be covered for their TV Licence in the communal areas, but not in each individual dorm room. Check with your university to avoid any confusion.
How to successfully claim a TV Licence refund

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You can claim for a monthly refund of your TV Licence fee for periods that you are not using it. As long as there's at least one month left on your licence that you're not going to use, you should be able to get some cash back.
Discounts should work out at roughly £13.13 per month, but TV Licensing has made it clear that exactly how much you get back will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
If you leave your student accommodation straight after exam time, though, you could see quite a big return. If you move out at the end of May and your licence doesn't expire until September, a three-month discount on your TV Licence could see a return of about £39. Not bad!
Plus, if you've realised that you weren't actually liable to pay for the whole year (if you were only watching catch-up TV on your laptop, for example) you could even claim the whole amount back.
You may have to split it a few ways between you and your housemates, but every penny counts – particularly if you don't plan on finding a part-time job over the summer.
Claiming your TV Licence refund
In order to qualify for a TV Licence refund, you need the following:- At least one complete month or more left on your licence, or a licence that expired within the past two years.
- Evidence that you'll no longer need it – for example, a tenancy agreement that shows you're leaving the property before the licence runs out, or confirmation of your university attendance that shows term dates (full list of evidence options here).
Once you've submitted the form, the money should be with you within 21 days.
The TV Licensing website has a page dedicated entirely to students – check it out for more information.
What happens if you don't pay your TV Licence fee?

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If you try to sneak by without paying, you could very easily end up in court facing a fine of up to £1,000. Ouch!
Check out our guide to saving more money on your bills to save £100s in minutes.
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