Chair Rental & Home Salons: Who Actually Needs the Music Licence?
It’s the most common argument in the UK hair industry.
You rent a chair. You pay your weekly rent. The salon owner plays music. Then a letter arrives from PPL PRS asking you for money.
Who pays? The landlord (salon owner) or the tenant (chair renter)?
The answer lies in one simple question: Who controls the music?
Here is the definitive guide to the grey areas of music licensing. (For the wider picture on business music legality, see Can I Play Spotify in My Salon?)
Scenario 1: The "Open Floor" Salon
The Setup: You rent a chair in a 10-chair salon. The salon owner has a sound system playing to the whole room. You have no control over what is played.
The Verdict: The Salon Owner needs the licence.
In this case, the music is being "performed" by the business owner to the public (clients and staff). Your clients happen to hear it, but you aren't the one broadcasting it. The salon owner should have a Music Licence that covers the entire audible area.
Key takeaway: If you don't touch the dial, you shouldn't pay the bill. But check your rental contract—some owners sneakily recharge a portion of the licence fee to renters.
Scenario 2: The "Private Booth" or Suite
The Setup: You rent a private room or booth (e.g., for beauty or massage). You have your own Bluetooth speaker or Alexa. You choose the music for your clients.
The Verdict: YOU need the licence.
As soon as you control the playlist, you become the "music user." Even if the salon owner has a licence for the reception area, it does not cover your private activity in your rented room. You are a separate business entity performing music to your customers.
This is where many freelancers get caught out. PPL PRS considers you a separate business, liable for the full annual fee (~£300+).
Want to skip the complexity? Try Sonosfera free for 14 days — £19.99/month, all licensing included.
Scenario 3: The Home Salon / Garden Studio
The Setup: You built a stunning cabin in your garden. You see clients there. It is your home, but it is also your workplace.
The Verdict: need the licence.
