Experts have revealed how some people might be paying for a TV licence when they do not actually need one.

Legally you only need a licence if you watch live, record or download shows, so if you are a Netflix and catch-up type of person, you may want to think about if you need it.

The cost for a full colour TV licence is currently £150.50 per year, which can be paid monthly, quarterly or in one lump sum. However, there is also a licence for black and white TV sets which costs £50.50 per year.

But do you really need one?

Legal experts from The University of Law said: "If you are a homeowner/tenant of a property and you watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as the programme is being broadcast live, and/or you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, then a TV licence is required.

"By purchasing a licence, you will cover the property for anyone in that residence that watched live through a TV set, computer, laptop, tablets, mobile phone any other device that can receive a TV signal.

"You don’t need a licence if you are watching non-BBC programmes on online catch-up services, videos or DVDs, clips on websites that aren’t live broadcast (e.g. YouTube) and closed-circuit television (CCTV)."

And of course there are exemptions. Anyone aged 75 or over does not need to to pay for a licence. And people who have a severe visual impairment can apply for a discount. And people living in a residential home can have the person who oversees the home apply on their behalf.


What if you don't have a licence?

It is against the law to watch live TV without a licence, if you are caught you can face a fine of up to £1,000 and any legal costs or compensation.

The TV Licensing agency have a national database of all licence holders and have enforcement officers that check for TV owners, and they also have a fleet of detector vans that can target homes that they think don’t own a licence.

To apply for a new licence visit their website where they have a variety of option on how to pay.