Students could be behind £10m in missing TV licence fees, data reveals

February 22, 2026

As TV licence costs continue to rise and enforcement tightens, new research suggests tens of thousands of students living in shared accommodation could be contributing to over £10 million in unpaid TV licence fees each year.

Uswitch student broadband comparison experts surveyed 500 students living in shared accommodation to see how clear they were about TV licence responsibilities in a streaming-first world, and the results reveal widespread confusion:

Around one in eight (13.2%) students living in shared accommodation say no one in their household pays for a TV licence.
This includes 8.8% who say they didn’t know a licence was required, suggesting around 57,750 students out of the estimated 656,265 living in shared houses could be unknowingly at risk of fines of up to £1,000.
Depending on whether students have joint or individual tenancies within their shared houses, this could equate to between £2.6-10.1 million in unpaid TV licence fees each year, based on the current £174.50 licence fee. This figure could rise to as much as £10.4 million once the licence increases to £180 from April.
Only 38% of students say they fully understand the rules around TV licences. That leaves 62%, around 404,259 students in shared housing, uncertain, highlighting confusion that could affect compliance and streaming habits.

Max Beckett, Uswitch, student broadband comparison expert, comments on the findings:

“It’s important to know who in the household is responsible for the TV licence, because anyone streaming live TV or using BBC iPlayer will be legally required to pay £180 a year from April, including students. With millions of students in the UK, and over 600k living in shared accommodation, hundreds of thousands could be at risk of fines if licences are not covered.

“To avoid day-to-day frustrations at home, choose a broadband package with enough speed and capacity for multiple people streaming at once, and position your Wi-Fi hub centrally so every room gets a strong signal. In larger properties, extenders can help prevent slowdowns, making it easier for everyone to watch Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, or other platforms without interruptions. By combining the right broadband setup with clear licence responsibilities, students can enjoy smooth, uninterrupted streaming while staying fully compliant.”