Thread: Tv License question....just curious

As most people i pay the Tv License every year....now i've heard of people not having an aerial therefore they do not have to pay...

But what if you have no aerial...but just ahve a dvd connected up to it and a games console....would you have to pay then?

So basically because my friend only has a dvd and his games console attached to his tv, he does'nt have to pay....Cheers for that.

nope - it specifically states on the tv license website that you do not need a license if yo uonly watch dvd's/play games etc (ie anything other than watch live tv). However you do need to inform them and they may come and check your story.

A friend of mine was being threatened for some payments he missed on his tv licence. He suceesfully argued that ; not only had he not had a tv when the payments were not made, but also whilst payments had been made.

He told the tvla that since they were persuing him for money for a period whilst he didn't have telly, then he wanted a refund for the period whilst he had been paying a dd but didn't own a telly.

They paid up.

However you do need to inform them and they may come and check your story.

No you don't ! Just ignore them.
I don't watch TV at all. and so do not have a TV licence.
And I'm not letting some snooper into my home to 'confirm it'
So far this year I've had 11 letters from them, I just put them in a little pile on top of the microwave Trying to see how many I can collect in a calender year!

TV Licensing - TV Licence Information

I really resent those letters TVLA send out if you don't have a license. I was without a TV for 5 months a few years ago, and every few weeks they'd send a letter pretty much branding me a criminal - did I know that it was illegal to receive TV without a license,did I know I could be fined a grand, did I know that mobile detection units were in the area and could pinpoint reception points etc etc.

Of course they do have a bit at the bottom (almost called it a link then) saying you should write to them if you don't have a TV, but given how aggressive and hostile their letters are, I didn't see why I should. Instead I decided to be as uncooperative as possible.

Anyway, that's my little rant over:P

Originally Posted by ivorbiggun

If you don't write to them, they want you to call them on an 0870 number. No chance!

Everyone out there should remember that TV Licensing Officers have no right of entry.

Correct, they have to apply to a magistrates court to get a warrant to give them a power of entry.

From the Communications Act 2003, Part 4 :-

366 Powers to enforce TV licensing
(1) If a justice of the peace, a sheriff in Scotland or a lay magistrate in Northern Ireland is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing-

• (a) that an offence under section 363 has been or is being committed,

• (b) that evidence of the commission of the offence is likely to be on premises specified in the information, or in a vehicle so specified, and

• (c) that one or more of the conditions set out in subsection (3) is satisfied,

he may grant a warrant under this section.
(2) A warrant under this section is a warrant authorising any one or more persons authorised for the purpose by the BBC or by OFCOM-

• (a) to enter the premises or vehicle at any time (either alone or in the company of one or more constables); and

• (b) to search the premises or vehicle and examine and test any television receiver found there.

(3) Those conditions are-

• (a) that there is no person entitled to grant entry to the premises or vehicle with whom it is practicable to communicate;

• (b) that there is no person entitled to grant access to the evidence with whom it is practicable to communicate;

• (c) that entry to the premises or vehicle will not be granted unless a warrant is produced;

• (d) that the purpose of the search may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless the search is carried out by a person who secures entry immediately upon arriving at the premises or vehicle.

I wonder how often they do get a warrant ... lot of work for a 100 quid . I wonder if they also have to present the magistrate with evidence (eg a signal has been detected) that a TV is being used without a license

Even if you did ring or write to them, they say that they 'may visit to confirm' the situation. Guess they do not believe anyone can live without TV !

Anyway, I don't even open them these days, just add them to the pile

To be honest it's just another way to keep tabs on people.
Another tax, which has no justification in the modern world.

I got loads of snotty letters from them, I wrote a letter to their legal dept. asking them to stop harrassing me and gave them some stuff about the EU right to privacy and not having snoopers round the place.

My girlfriend pays for our License because I told her when we bought a house together that I refused to pay a penny towards it and if she was stupid enough to pay it, that was up to her. I really want to stop all of my family paying this disgusting tax, but they are all convinced by the BBC's threatening adverts.

There isn't actually much on TV that I will watch, and only one programme on the BBC that isn't even shown anymore (Tribe). I download most of my stuff from the internet as it's unavailable in this Country.

As you can view programmes on certain websites though, I'm sure they will try to include having an internet connection soon and expect more money from us all.

I had a similar situation. When it was at my gran's house they come to the door. Asked for proof as looking at a 93 year old woman wasn't enough evidenve that she was over 70. i had to go dig out her pension book at that time ( which is no mean feat in a 93 years old's house that has hoarded everything since she was sixteen!


Idax

Apparently you also need a TV licence to watch live TV downloads on your computer or your mobile phone. My boss had to stop us all watching the Tim Henman match on the BBC website last week after he phoned to check.
How would they catch you though?