Does a village hall need a music licence? Community buildings explained

A village hall, community centre or similar building run by a voluntary organisation usually needs TheMusicLicence if music is played or performed there, whether that's a covers band at a fundraiser, background music at a coffee morning, or a hirer's playlist at a private party. Both PRS for Music and PPL license this use through matching Community Buildings tariffs, and unlike shops or salons, the charge is normally based on the hall's income rather than its floor area or a headcount.

Which buildings the tariff covers#

PRS for Music's Tariff CB (2026.04, effective from 1 April 2026) applies to community buildings run by voluntary organisations, including community centres, village, memorial and parochial halls, separate church halls serving the community at large, women's institutes, welfare institutes and comparable premises, for their use for a miscellany of entertainments or functions at which music is publicly performed. PPL's matching tariff, PPLPP116 (effective 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027), covers the same kind of premises for the playing of recorded music.

Both tariffs specifically exclude buildings run by statutory bodies such as county, district, town, borough or parish councils, which are licensed under different tariffs instead. They also both exclude church halls confined to activities of an associated church congregation, which fall under PPL PRS's separate church tariffs, and events where admission costs £20 or more, which are charged under other tariffs.

What's included#

Both tariffs cover a similar range of uses: background music, live events such as concerts, gigs and recitals, variety shows, balls, dances and discotheques, karaoke, music quizzes, aerobics and exercise classes, bingo, bazaars and exhibitions, video and film shows, jukeboxes, radio and TV reception, and telephone music on hold. PPL's tariff specifically excludes any third-party hire to commercial organisations or individuals who earn income from the activity, such as a commercial aerobics instructor: in that case, PPL says responsibility for holding the licence rests with the hiring third party, not the hall.

How the fee is calculated#

Both tariffs define 'income' the same way. It's normally taken from the hall's last available full 12-month public accounts, and it includes door takings, hiring charges from hirers of the building (excluding hire income from purely domestic events like weddings, christenings and birthday parties for family and close friends with no admission charge), subscriptions, and the net contribution from food and bar takings that accrue to the voluntary organisation. It excludes VAT, capital and revenue grants, interest, gifts and donations, proceeds from selling donated goods, and income from unrelated assets such as car parks or equipment hire.

The first-year higher rate#

Under PRS's Tariff CB, if a hall applied for and got its licence before it started playing music, the standard rate applies from year one. If it didn't have a licence in place before performances started, the higher rate (standard plus 50%) applies for that first year, with the standard rate applying afterwards. PPL's tariff doesn't set out an equivalent first-year higher rate in the current edition.

Who's responsible when a hirer runs an event#

For background music and events run by or for the voluntary organisation itself, the hall's own licence covers it. Where PPL's tariff excludes third-party hirers who are themselves earning commercial income from the activity, such as a paid aerobics class or dance session, PPL says responsibility for holding the relevant licence sits with that hiring third party rather than the hall. It's worth checking this point with hirers directly and asking commercial instructors or promoters to confirm they hold their own licence.

Checking your hall's invoice#

Because the charge is income-based rather than a fixed banded fee, the figure on your invoice depends on the accounts PPL PRS has used and the definition of income above. If your hall's income has changed, or an item that should be excluded (like a capital grant) has been counted, that's worth raising as a factual query. Our general invoice guide and Usage Summary guide cover how to do that, and our tariff-calculator and tariffs pages link to the current source documents.

If you want an independent, written check of a single invoice, the free Invoice Check reviews it and gives a verdict either way. MLC is independent and is not affiliated with PPL PRS, PPL or PRS for Music.

Sources#

• PRS for Music Community Buildings Tariff CB, 2026.04 (PDF)
• PPL Community Buildings Tariff PPLPP116, effective 1 April 2026 (PDF)
• PPL PRS: other business tariffs

• What is a PPL PRS Usage Summary? →
• Received an invoice? What to check first →

This guide is general information, not legal advice, and MLC is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PRS for Music or PPL.