Cancel TV licence?

thriftymanc · 2008-07-13 15:35:33

Sorry if this is on the wrong board, couldn't see anything for TV licences. I have a TV but never watch programmes these days and am thinking of just cancelling my licence altogether. I only ever use it to watch DVDs. I've looked into it and I know that if you don't use your TV to receive broadcasts then you don't need a…

Comments

Mutton_Geoff Posts: 3,817 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:03PM

I don't remember the last time I saw a TV Detector van. I wouldn't be surprised if they've all been scrapped. As far as I know, the TV Licence people work on the premise that every occupied home must have a TV then they hassle them for a licence (plenty of letters come to the unoccupied properties I owned).

I have also had the balance of an annual TV licence refunded, so that tip was wrong.

I'd just tell them you're not using it. You will get a letter telling you that an inspector will be round to verify but again, its written in some guarded semi intimidating tone. Just make sure you haven't just popped the TV on to see the latest news the moment they knock at your door if they do show up.

For many years I knew people who bought a monochrome (black & white) licence because they knew it was impossible for the detector vans to distinguish between a B&W and colour set. My sister had a B&W set for many years and got letters from the TVLA asking her if she was sure it was B&W as it was "very rare these days" so they were even hassling in days gone by.

Cancel the licence and tell them it will be your pleasure to welcome them for a look.

Signature on holiday for two weeks
0
fiddiwebb Posts: 1,806 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:04PM

Sorry meant to add so do you require a license to use any television recieving equipment or do you just need one to watch/record tv progs as they are being shown?

0
superscaper Posts: 13,369 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:08PM

fiddiwebb wrote: »

Sorry meant to add so do you require a license to use any television recieving equipment or do you just need one to watch/record tv progs as they are being shown?

No. If for example you had a great big plasma TV quite capable of receiving broadcasts but you only ever used it for DVDs or playing video games then you do NOT need a TV license although the TVLA will probably hassle you to prove it but that's a separate issue as it's down to them to prove you are watching TV (ownership doesn't prove you're watching TV and ownership in itself doesn't require licensing). A lot of urban myths surround this probably stemming from TVLA's attitude that their assumption is everyone watches TV (guilty until proven innocent in other words).

"She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss
0
danny69 Posts: 431 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:14PM

It is funny that the OP first talks about not watching tv etc. then at the end they ask whether they would be able to be tracked down if they were watching it! You dont need a tv to wattch dvds anyway, just get a screen.

0
Gnid Posts: 112 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:22PM

fiddiwebb wrote: »

Sorry meant to add so do you require a license to use any television recieving equipment or do you just need one to watch/record tv progs as they are being shown?

http://www.tvlicensing.biz/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2862

0
competitionscafe Posts: 4,050 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:23PM

thriftymanc wrote: »

The key phrase there is "as they're being shown". I don't want to watch anything as it's being broadcast. I'm quite happy to detune all the channels, throw away the aerial cable and fill up the aerial socket in the wall with polyfilla if it helps prove I don't watch TV! I would get rid of my TV altogether for the hassle it's worth but my laptop doesn't have very good speakers so I'd rather watch DVDs on a regular screen.

If it's just a case of poor sound from the inbuilt speakers you could just buy some external speakers for your laptop (this is what I do for watching dvds and downloaded iplayer/ 4OD programmes) - you can get a pair for under £10. Ok it a small screen and hardly home cinema sound but as I don't watch many dvds it's fine for occassional use. I wouldn't use the inbuilt speakers to watch or listen to anything though, they are truly awful. Think I paid about £8 for some basic external speakers from Play.com and they are fine considering how little they cost.

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the
best of everything; they just make the best
of everything that comes along their way."
-- Author Unknown --
0
Gnid Posts: 112 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 4:24PM

fiddiwebb wrote: »

Ah, very confusing.

According to the tvlicensing.co.uk they say:

Do I need a TV Licence?

You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.

If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.

"as they're being shown on TV" - very important. Are the "programmes being shown on TV" if you are watching DVDs or just putting it in the garage? No.

0
fiddiwebb Posts: 1,806 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 7:00PM

Yes but it also says You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment

0
Swan_2 Posts: 7,060 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 7:13PM

fiddiwebb wrote: »

Yes but it also says You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment

have you read the rest of this thread & what superscaper & others have said? ... you only need a license if you're using the equipment to watch or record broadcasts as they're being shown

0
Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite

20 November 2008 at 8:30PM

And just to cheer you all up. Noel Edmonds hasn't got a licence and hasn't been taken to court yet.

.....................I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
0

This discussion has been closed.

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

MSE News

Co-op Bank customer? You could be moved to Coventry Building Society in future – here's what's happening
The building society has today agreed to a potential takeover of the high street bank – though it's still very early days and the deal needs regulatory approval.
Got a text, email or letter from the Met Police? Don't ignore it – you may need to act to protect yourself from scams
If you got a text message or email from the Metropolitan Police between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday 17 April – or you get a letter in the next few days – don't ignore it.
Save up to £1 on your takeaway coffee – while saving the planet
Many of us regularly reach for a cup of coffee or tea to give us a caffeine boost, but if you’re out and about and can't bring a thermos from home, the cost of this can quickly mount up.
Chase customer? Check if you can get its boosted 5.1% easy-access saver
If you have a Chase current account, you may be able to get a table-topping 5.1% easy-access savings rate to go with it, as the bank has launched a new, temporary bonus offer for some existing customers.
New online state pension boosting tool promised to Martin Lewis hit by delays – here's what you need to know
The tool was first promised to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis on ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live last summer and was expected to launch before the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
Spotify to hike prices by up to £24 a year – here's what's happening
If you've got a Spotify Individual, Duo or Family account you'll see prices rise by up to £2 a month (equivalent to £24 a year) in a month's time, the music streaming service has announced.
Subway customer? You've got until 14 May to use your loyalty scheme points before shake-up – here's what's happening
If you're a Subway Rewards member, you have until the end of Tuesday 14 May to spend any points you've built up – or lose them entirely.
Nearly 850,000 people missed out on cheaper passports last year – here's how to cut costs and beat the upcoming price hikes
Nearly 850,000 people missed out on cheaper passports last year – and with fees rising by 7% this week, here's how to get a new passport for less.
Ted Baker to close 15 stores as it falls into administration – your shopping, refund and gift card rights explained
Fashion retailer Ted Baker will close 15 stores, including 11 by the end of next week, after falling into administration last month. Hundreds of staff are facing redundancy as a result of the administration.

View All

Cancel TV licence?

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free