So you have planned to invest in a quality TV for your caravan or motorhome? Excellent, there’s nothing better than watching your favourite TV programmes in the caravan while staying away from the hustles and bustles of the city.
It’s not news that you need a TV licence for enjoying watching TV in your home, but do you need a TV licence in a caravan too?
Well, most people think that it’s not necessary to carry a TV licence for the caravan, but it can land you in serious troubles! A TV licence is indispensable to record or watch TV programmes or live television in your motorhome or anywhere else.
Here in this article, you will get complete information about the TV licence for a caravan, along with how much it will cost you not to have one.
What is a TV licence?
A TV licence is a document that allows you to watch and record programmes or live TV on the following devices:
- TV sets
- Tablets
- Smartphones
- Computers
- Laptops
And other such devices that can receive the TV signal.
If you have a TV in your home, then you must be aware of what a TV licence is. Also, holding a TV licence is imperative if you want a television in your caravan or motorhome.
How much does a TV licence cost?
As per the Government of U.K, the fee to hold a valid TV licence is around £157.50 for both businesses and residential properties. If you have a black and white TV set, then the fee is £53.
You can easily apply for a TV licence or renew your existing one, here.
What happens if I don’t buy a TV licence?
Not holding a TV licence is treated as a criminal offence, and you have to bear the consequences for it by paying a hefty fine. The fine can even surge up to £2,000 in some areas. And that’s a lot of money when compared to the cost of having a TV licence.
What are the fines if you don’t have a TV licence
- £500 in Jersey
- £2,000 in Guernsey
- £1,000 in other areas of the UK
Also, you have to pay for the legal costs and additional compensations that can make the amount go up by hundreds of Pounds. So having a licence is a better option to avoid all the fuss and paying thousands of Pounds.
Is it possible to tell if I do not have a TV license?
If you think that the authorities can’t tell whether you have a TV licence or not, then it’s merely a misconception and nothing more! The TV licensing authorities have a comprehensive database that contains all information about unlicensed and licenced addresses.
The enforcement officers have access to the database, so it’s not hard for them to check whether you have a TV licence or not. Also, the officers can pay a visit to your door if they find anything suspicious or a general visit to check if everything’s fine.
Moreover, the addition of detector vans has made it possible to detect if a particular home or vehicle is receiving a TV signal or not.
In short, it doesn’t require any guesswork for the authorities to find if you have an active TV licence.
Will my domestic TV license also cover me in my motorhome?
Yes, your domestic licence will cover the motorhome TV as well, but there are some conditions associated with it, and you have to fulfil them to avoid paying the penalty. Your domestic TV licence covers your motor home provided that you are using the caravan.
Also, anyone living with you, including your family, can use the TV in the caravan with the domestic TV licence.
In short, you can use two TVs with the same TV licence, one installed in your home, and the other one in your motorhome.
An Important Note: You cannot use both TVs at the same time to download and record programmes. Only one TV will work at a time, and you need a separate TV licence to use both TVs simultaneously!
Wrapping up
I’m pretty sure that you have got the answer to: do you need a TV licence in a caravan! Having a TV licence is essential to avoid a dent in your pocket. The authorities are super-smart, and the officers can easily find out that you are using the TV without a valid licence. The cost of having a TV licence is just £157.50, which is a lot better than shelling out £1,000* plus taxes.
You can easily apply for a TV licence here. Also, you can renew the licence if you already have one.