TV License officer visit

[blindcube]

Hi everyone,

 

First of all, I want to apologizes for my bad English, I'm Spanish.

 

I moved recently to UK, my landlord told me that if I have a TV I must to pay the TV License no matter if you watch it.

 

I only use my TV for playing videogames and watch lovefilm via xbox,

the TV License website said that I don't need the license but I should inform them and then an officer comes to my home in order to check that I don't need it.

 

Anyone knows what kind of questions they usually made or what they 'check'?

 

My tv is very old and it even need a freeview device that I don't have.

 

I'm a little afraid and I don't know if I should pay the licence, as my landlord says, or if I should said that I don't need it and receive the visit.

 

Thank you very much.

[citizenB]

I will try and find some help for you.

[Ell-enn]

If it's an old TV and he doesn't have a freeview box (or similar digi box) , then he won't be able to watch any programmes anyway since we went digital.

[marmaris30]

You must have a TV licence to 'watch or record TV programmes as they are broadcast', regardless of how you do that.

 

If your TV and Xbox cannot receive TV as it is broadcast (no Freeview, Sky or other box, no iPlayer TV software installed on the Xbox or computer), then you should not need a licence. You can truthfully tell the TV Licensing authority that you do not watch TV.

 

An officer cannot enter your home without a Search Warrant (a court order) or your permission.

 

None of this is any of your landlord's business, although it is helpful of him to have warned you.

[blindcube]

Thank you so much.

Probably I will tell to the authorities that I don't watch TV, I hope everything goes fine.

 

I know that an officer can't enter to my home without my permission, but I don't have anything to hide, I mean, probably I could stand on my door like Gandalf and shout "You shall not pass" but I don't care if this officer enters and checks that I don't need this license, if that prevents me future problems or some kind of threats.

 

Thanks again ^_^

[Bang!]

There is no need to TV Licensing to send anyone to your house unless you are happy with them visiting.

 

Additionally, from what you say you do not need a licence.

 

If your landlord is that clueless on that perspective of being a landlord, then it might make sense to check your type of tenancy agreement/where your deposit is being kept/if you have gas in the house if there is a current safety inspection certificate....

[queensclose]

if you tell them you dont watch broadcasts they will still visit to check

[Bang!]

If they visit, you are under no obligation to permit access, or if you want you can "remove their statutory right of access" which means they commit a trespass if visiting.

[blindcube]

This would work better if they were vampires from True Blood.

 

I don't have any problem to receive their visit even I could offer them a hot beverage as the standard says =)

[Bang!]

Don't spoil things by delivering it in a cup! ))

 

Sorry, they hacked me off with letters and visits, when I don't like/have a TV.

[MARTIN3030]

Yes procedure is if you say you are not liable to pay,for them to come and check.

It is a case of signing a declaration.

[Bedsit Bob]

If you tell them, they'll visit, if you don't tell them, they'll visit, so what's the point?

 

Also, be aware that some of them haven't been CRB checked, and there's no way for you to know, if the one calling on you has been.

 

In your position (which I am BTW), I'd have absolutely no contact with them.

[Bedsit Bob]

It is a case of signing a declaration.

 

Or not.

 

It's your choice.

[MARTIN3030]

If you are not in need of any licence,then theres nothing to be bothered about.

I would co operate with anything they need or might ask for confirmation.At the end of the day,being antagonistic or hostile challenge,may look like you are one of those I am sure they have run inns with quite often,and these tend to get most of the hassle.

Lets not forget,that as with all GOV stuff,its the computers that give the orders if whats been inputted there flags up question marks.

[Bedsit Bob]

If you are not in need of any licence

 

I'm not.

 

then there's nothing to be bothered about.

 

I'm not bothered.

 

I would co operate with anything they need or might ask for confirmation.

 

You would allow a, possibly, un-CRB'd person into your home, to search it?

 

At the end of the day, being antagonistic or hostile challenge, may look like you are one of those I am sure they have run inns with quite often, and these tend to get most of the hassle.

 

How much hassle is it to ignore them?

[MARTIN3030]

I cant comment on the CRB questions,that is something I have not seen brought up before.

It stands to reason that you will get no hassle if you provide them with what is needed to show you are exempt.

Entirely up to you how you deal with it.

[Bedsit Bob]

I cant comment on the CRB questions,that is something I have not seen brought up before.

 

TVL themselves admit that only "EOs" hired after 2006 have been CRB checked.

 

It stands to reason that you will get no hassle if you provide them with what is needed to show you are exempt.

 

It may "stand to reason", but it's not correct, as one Michael Shakespeare would no doubt testify.

 

Entirely up to you how you deal with it.

 

Indeed it is, and I choose to deal with it, in a way that means I don't surrender my privacy.

[MARTIN3030]

Yes I see you are no stranger to the debate

After adding posts to another thread which was dormant since March.

 

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?193764-stopping-tv-licence-fees&p=4002384#post4002384

 

"They've been trying with me for nearly three years, and they've made zero progress. "

 

"They've visited me 8 times (that I know of).

On five occasions I was out.

On 1 occasion I was on the throne.

On 2 occasions, I was in and opened the window, only to close it 5 seconds later.

If they want to waste their time and money, writing to and visiting a non-TV watcher, that's up to them."

 

"Trouble with serving WOIRA is, it increases the chances of them applying for a Search Warrant."

Rare as SWs are, I know of several people who have been SW'd, after issuing WOIRA.

Two people (who issued WOIRA) were SW'd on the same day.

Apart from anything else, issuing WOIRA breaches rule No1 - "No Contact".

 

 

If they have been trying for 3 years with zero progress then you should know how things work by now.

[Bedsit Bob]

So why start a new thread here ?

 

I would point out, that I didn't start this thread.

 

I'm merely responding to a request for advice, by the OP.

 

BTW. I wouldn't really consider 6 months-ish to be dormant. More of a hiatus.

 

If they have been trying for 3 years with zero progress then you should know how things work by now.

 

Oh I know how things work.

 

They write - I ignore.

 

They visit - I ignore.

[MARTIN3030]

Up to the OP to decide then.

I think your position is pretty clear.

[Bedsit Bob]

Of course it's up to the OP to decide.

 

None of us can force them to do anything.

 

All we can do is make them aware of the potential advantages, and pitfalls, of the various options.

[MARTIN3030]

and not forgetting that

rule No1 - "No Contact".

 

Is actually your rule.

[Bedsit Bob]

Is there a particular reason you feel the need to cross quote, on a thread asking for advice?

 

If someone asks for advice, surely we should be advising the OP of their rights and options, and the potential advantages, and pitfalls, of the various options?

[MARTIN3030]

Is there a particular reason you feel the need to cross quote

 

 

Hmn I was going to ask you the same you have been doing it for last 3 days !

[MARTIN3030]

If someone asks for advice, surely we should be advising the OP of their rights and options, and the potential advantages, and pitfalls, of the various options?

 

 

Yes of course.

But its not a responsible course of action to be suggesting members ignore correspondence or visits,given that we know should it be escalated,the consequences can be inconvenient and stress for many.

These are not things that the site would agree with nor suggest.