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Aggro from TV Licence people!
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Allexie
Posts: 3,460 Forumite
A friend of mine does not have, and has not had for 5 years, a TV, (hard to believe but true!). You would not believe the aggro he gets from the licence people. They just do not believe him and constantly bombard him with threatening letters....sending round the detector van, having him sign some sort of legal declaration, possible search of premises, court action etc. He is now getting quite upset as they just will not believe he does not possess a TV. :mad:
If it was me I'd be quite happy just to sit back and let them take me to court where they would look proper idiots, (then sue 'em for damages for stress!).
If it was me I'd be quite happy just to sit back and let them take me to court where they would look proper idiots, (then sue 'em for damages for stress!).
♥♥♥ Genius - 1% inspiration and 99% doing what your mother told you. ♥♥♥
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HI - we haven't had a tv for years either. You have to make sure tv licensing know that you really haven't got one by phoning them up (and writing as well would be better) and make sure they amend their records to show that you have stated that you haven't got a tv (ie as opposed to someone who has but is just dodging a licence - and I'm sure there must be 1000s who do this).
Then, the law (bizarre or what??!!) requires tv licensing to contact you by letter on a regular basis (I believe at least once a year) to check that you still don't have a tv. You can in fact ignore all these letters as they don;t mean anything at all. We get a batch, about 3/4 in quick sucession approx once a year. But better option is to phone when you get it to make sure your "I've not got a TV" flag is still on their computer as I think it only stays on there automatically for a certain length of time.
Also, the inspection people are subcontracted, ie not employees of TV licensing. They get a list of houses to visit and they have discretion to decide what is what when they get there. IN about 5 years we have been visited twice. Both times I was in alone (I'm a woman) so I explained that I couldn't let them in but confirmed that we don't keep a television and explained the reasons (religious in our case).
So, they've never been in the house but I've never had any hassle (except that I do consider it hassle that they assume everyone is hiding a telly somehwere!)
About the detector van, if you've not got a tv then there's no problem as there's nothing to detect anyway.
Hope this is some help.0 -
Contact James Whale on Talksport. This is his favourite topic
~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
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Tahnks Chloe...some useful info there
Ooooh I remember James Whale doing a late night phone-in on our local radio station....S-C-A-R-E-Y!!! :eek:
Just don't understand why people are subjected to such hassle...it's outrageous.....why should you have to keep phoning and writing......
Other licensing authorities don't make such 'assumptions'...as far as I know...?
Has anyone just ignored them and been taken to court?♥♥♥ Genius - 1% inspiration and 99% doing what your mother told you. ♥♥♥0 -
Thanks derrick
*Note to self...Use 'Search'!!*♥♥♥ Genius - 1% inspiration and 99% doing what your mother told you. ♥♥♥0 -
If he's ever purchased a Video, PVR or TV enabled PC even as a gift for someone else then his records go back the start and the yellow letter start to arrive.0
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Allexie wrote:Just don't understand why people are subjected to such hassle...it's outrageous.....why should you have to keep phoning and writing......
Because the vast, vast majority of people that the TV Licensing people contact about not having a TV licence do not tell the truth when asked if they a TV. If people bought licences when they were supposed to, TV Licensing wouldn't need to keep sending the letters out.
Not ideal, but is there a better solution (not involving abolishing the TV Licence)?loafer wrote:If he's ever purchased a Video, PVR or TV enabled PC even as a gift for someone else then his records go back the start and the yellow letter start to arrive.
You don't need to have ever bought anything, they just contact every residential address in the UK that doesn't have a TV licence. Buying something kicks them into action quicker though.chloe99 wrote:About the detector van, if you've not got a tv then there's no problem as there's nothing to detect anyway.
Most of the 'detector' vans are empty and are just used to scare people into buying a licence. The vast majority of convictions are based on people confessing to the TV Licensing people when they knock on the door and there is a TV on in the background.0 -
when my mum was alive she delt with all the tv details they even rented a tv so when she died my dad sent back the tv and cancelled the tv licence which he didnt get a refund for.. when the renewal date came through he told them he didnt have a tv they didnt believe him and thought he was covering for my mum they kept hassling him to speak to her so in the end he told them to come round.. when they visited they asked to speak to my mum who was dead over a yr by this time my dad told them to come in to see he didnt have a tv and also gave them a copy of my mums death certificate should have seen there faces.. couldnt get out there quick enough, he didnt get hassled again and then when he moved to sheltered housing he told them he would now have a tv lolThose we love don't go away,They walk beside us every day,Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear
Our thoughts are ever with you,Though you have passed away.And those who loved you dearly,
Are thinking of you today.0 -
Dont forget people over 70 (or is it 75) get free TV licences. Keep a grey wig and cardie by the door ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
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