
You need a TV licence to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, and must keep up with the payments.
Skipping a TV licence could prove costly if you are caught watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer without one, as viewers have been warned they could face a £1,000 fine.
Check your emails for reminders when your TV licence is due to expire.
Households across the UK could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they watch without a valid TV licence.
TV Licensing will send you emails to remind you when to pay.
Why you must check your emails to keep up to date with your TV licence
The TV Licensing website says: “When purchasing a TV Licence, you are required to provide a valid email address.
“We may then email you other messages regarding your TV Licence, including reminders that your licence is about to expire.”
If you miss a reminder and watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a valid licence, you could be fined.
TV Licensing says account holders must report changes to their email address so they continue receiving notices.
It adds: “If you do not inform TV Licensing of any changes and consequently do not receive an email reminder that your next TV Licence is due, you will remain fully responsible and liable to pay the licence fee and to ensure that you are properly licensed and may still be prosecuted if you are found to be using a TV receiver to receive television programmes without a TV Licence.”
What is the fine for watching TV without a TV licence?
You could be prosecuted and fined for watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a TV licence.
TV Licensing says: “You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally.
“The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.
Read more:
- King Charles strips 5 more people of honours including former Royal Navy officer
- Police called after mass brawl in broad daylight in Spennymoor
- Jermain Defoe opens £1m holiday home in memory of Bradley Lowery
“The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey.”
A standard TV licence costs £180 a year, while a black-and-white licence costs £60.50.
Do you keep up with emails from TV Licensing? Tell us in the comments.