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 — £14.99/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: YOU need the licence.
Common myth: "It's my house, so I can play what I want." Reality: When a client steps onto the property for a paid service, it becomes a "public performance." The domestic exemption (playing music for family/friends) disappears.
If you play the radio, a CD, or Spotify while cutting hair in your kitchen or garden studio, you legally need a PPL PRS licence.
The "Who Pays?" Argument
This causes friction. Salon owners don't want to pay £400+ for a licence when they just rent chairs. Renters don't want to pay £300+ for a licence when they only work 3 days a week.
Often, nobody pays. Then an inspector visits.
If the inspector finds unlicensed music, they will fine whoever is playing it.
- If it's the salon system -> The Owner.
- If it's your phone on a speaker -> You.
The Simple Fix (£14.99/mo)
The tragedy is that both sides are fighting over a bill that shouldn't exist.
A PPL PRS licence is expensive because it covers chart music. But you don't need chart music to create a vibe. You need background music.
Sonosfera is perfect for the "renter vs owner" dilemma because it’s flexible.
- For Salon Owners: One Sonosfera account covers your whole floor. You can tell renters "Music is included in your rent," adding value to your chairs.
- For Renters/Home Salons: At £14.99/month, it’s a tiny business expense compared to the £300+ lump sum for a licence.
Plus, it solves the privacy problem in home salons. You don't want PPL PRS calling your home number demanding access. With Sonosfera, you just keep your certificate on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my TV Licence cover my home salon music? A: No. A TV Licence pays for the BBC infrastructure. A PPL PRS licence pays the artists. If you have a TV on in your home salon, you legally need both.
Q: Can I use a personal Spotify account in my garden studio? A: No. Spotify's terms and conditions allow for "personal, non-commercial use only." Using it during paid appointments is a breach of contract and copyright infringement.
Q: I only have one client at a time. Do I still need a licence? A: Yes. The number of people doesn't matter. If any member of the public (a client) can hear the music, it is a public performance.
Q: Can the salon owner force me to pay for the music licence? A: Check your contract. If the "services provided" section includes utilities and atmosphere, they should pay. If it's a "dry hire" (space only), and you play your own music, you pay.
Related Reading
- Best music genres for salon atmosphere (with BPM guide)
- How much does a music licence cost for a small business?
Solve the argument for good. Try Sonosfera free for 14 days. Covers your space. Keeps you legal. Saves you money.
