Do I Need a Second TV Licence for my Static Caravan?

Whether you’re at Lakeside, Nettleton, Willows, Whispering Waters or Windmill Park, owning a static caravan holiday home with Don Amott Parks offers you the chance to make the perfect escape from everyday life’s hustle and bustle.

In a way, owning a TV does the same. You can switch it on and relax, transported far away from your domestic life. You can go to an ancient land of monsters and mystics, to a football stadium’s cauldron of noise, or to a blue box spacecraft travelling the outer reaches of the universe.

You can go to the opulent world of the mega-rich in the 1930s, to the vicious boardroom of a feuding company, or to some juicy laundrette gossip in an east-London suburb.

You can go to the middle of a troop of gorillas in their natural habitat or to the animated world of a cheese-loving inventor and his long-suffering dog… and so on and so on, in beautiful and seemingly  infinite measure.

Even when you’re on a weekend getaway or a long summer break, having access to TV can be the perfect way to finish off the evening and relax. It’ll also make your static caravan feel like a proper home-from-home. As everyone knows, to watch TV in your home in the UK and comply with the law you must have a TV licence. But, beyond that, what are the TV licence rules around static caravans? Do you need a second TV licence for watching in your static caravan? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.

In this edition of our blog, we break down the details, beginning right at the start with why you actually need a TV licence in the first place…

What is a TV licence and why do you need one?

Firstly, the most important thing is that a TV licence is a legal requirement in the UK if you watch (or record) live TV as it’s being broadcast (on any channel), or if you use the BBC’s iPlayer facility to watch anything on catch-up. The TV licence fee funds the BBC, enabling it to provide top quality services without any commercial advertising. The BBC is a proper British institution and the world’s leading public service broadcaster. From the captivating documentaries of David Attenborough to live coverage of iconic events like Glastonbury and the cricket, the BBC delivers exceptional coverage.

Currently, the TV licence fee covers not just traditional televisions but also any device capable of receiving or recording live broadcasts, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. It’s set annually and applies to each household – which typically covers a main residence. However, if you have multiple properties, including holiday homes or caravans, the rules get a bit more complex.

When do you need a separate licence?

With reference to your TV licence, the consideration is whether your static caravan can be classified as a secondary address, or whether it’s linked to your primary residence (in other words your main address). According to UK law, a second TV licence is generally required if you have another property and plan to watch or record live TV broadcasts or use BBC iPlayer at both locations at the same time. There are some exceptions.

Your static is your main residence

If your static caravan is your main residence, the situation is simple. You’ll need a standard TV licence, just like you would for any other home. This single TV licence would cover all of the televisions and devices you were using in the caravan.

Your static is an additional residence

If you have a main residence which has a valid TV licence and you also own a static caravan that you use for holidays, the rules around whether or not you need a second licence depend on how and where you watch TV.

1. No second licence necessary: Not the title of a forgotten James Bond book, by the way (just in case you thought it was). If you only use the TV in your static caravan while you’re staying there and no-one is using the TV back home at the same time, your existing home TV licence will cover your static.
2. Second licence required: If you and others plan to watch television in your main residence and the static caravan at the same time, then you’ll need to buy a second TV licence, to cover the caravan. For example, if someone is at home watching TV while you’re using the caravan’s TV, that would require an additional licence.

So, to sum it all up, the need for a second TV licence for your static caravan depends on a few key factors.

• Is the caravan your primary or secondary residence?
• Is anyone watching TV back at your main home while you’re at the caravan?
• Are you accessing live broadcasts or BBC iPlayer in both locations simultaneously?

For most holidaymakers, if your static caravan is only used every so often and no-one is using the TV back at your main home at the same time, your single TV licence is adequate cover. However, if you use both properties frequently and simultaneously, a second licence will be required.

Understanding the rules around TV licensing will help you enjoy your static caravan time without any unexpected legal complications, allowing you to relax and catch up on your favourite viewing worry-free. Don’t forget that our parks also have plenty of great facilities and activities to enjoy during your non-TV time!