Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert says some don't need to pay £180 TV Licence fee

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert says some don't need to pay £180 TV Licence fee Specific 'loopholes' could mean plenty aren't breaking the rules without one Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) team claims that some people might be able to avoid paying the UK TV Licence fee by following a very strict set of rules. It could save them up to £180 if they meet the requirements. The TV Licence fee changed on April 1, 2026, raising the price of a colour licence to £180, while a black-and-white licence costs £60.50. This cost can be paid in a lump sum or in monthly instalments when registering online. A new Instagram post by @Moneysavingexp explains that students may be able to swerve the fee. It said: "This bizarre loophole is hidden in the TV Licence’s ‘for students’ guide, but means you can watch live TV and BBC iPlayer without needing to shell out for it! But do make sure you meet all the criteria first." What does the guide say? The student's guide to setting up a TV Licence includes advice that could make many young people exempt from paying. It said: "You may already be covered by a licence at your out-of-term address if you only watch on devices (such as a laptop, phone or tablet) that aren’t plugged into the mains." In this case, students should declare online that there is 'No Licence Needed' at their property. This step must be taken rather than simply doing nothing. The MSE guide explains that the device used as a TV must be powered solely by its internal batteries, meaning a smartphone or laptop qualifies. Importantly, someone must be paying for a valid TV Licence at an out-of-term address (in most cases, this will be parents or legal guardians). There are scenarios where most students will have to apply for a TV Licence online, including: - Living in halls: You’ll need to be covered by a licence for your room. You’ll be able to watch TV in shared areas as well. - House or flat shares: You’ll need your own licence if the place where you live is self-contained, such as a separate flat or annex. Or if you have a separate contract for your room. - Property with joint tenancy: You’ll need one licence for the address. Ask your landlord if you’re already covered. - Living at home: If you commute to university from home, that property must have a licence. What proof do I need to declare that I don't need a TV Licence? You do not need to provide any proof or documentation when submitting a No Licence Needed declaration in the UK. You can let TV Licensing know online via the TV Licensing Declaration Page or by phone. You only need to supply your name and address so they can update their database and stop sending reminder letters. You are not legally required to prove that you do not watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, according to the TV Licensing website. A No Licence Needed declaration lasts for up to two years. You will need to redeclare once it expires, but this is easy to do online by confirming your details haven't changed.