Television License Query

NewFoundGlory_2

Hi,

I'm not entirely sure that this is the correct place to post this but...

Basically when we moved from our old house we bought our tv license with us but now that has run out. We share our flat with another couple.

We do not have a television in our bedroom (or a tv point) and just use the pc to watch dvds etc. Our flatmates have a tv in their bedroom and the tv in the living room (which we do not watch - we hardly ever even go in the living room as we work odd hours and it is next door to their bedroom).

We told them that the license had expired and they stated that they had one, I do not believe that they do. Would I be liable if they were found out not to have one? Can I ring the tv licensing people and ask if one is attached to my address?

And finally if they do not have one, and I cannot make them get one, is there any way I can protect myself from fines etc?

Thanks in advance

moonrakerz

If it's their TV they cop the fines !

olly300

Stop worrying.

If you live in a flat there is not sure fire way except if they (can see it through the window) for them to know if there is a TV in your flat or the flat next door.

TV licensing will send your property nasty letters if you don't have a licence whether you have a TV or not. They presume everyone has a TV. The best thing to do with them is put them in the bin.

They also mix up peoples names and addresses due to their !!!! computer system, so you may be sent a license demand even though your property has a TV license.

If the TV license people come round:
1. Do not let them into your property. They are not allowed to enter unless you give them permission so block the door.
2. State clearly that "I do not have a TV at this property."
3. If they ask if there is a TV in the property state I don't know and basically tell them to f*** off. If they are nasty to you be firm, polite and as nasty back.

moonrakerz

olly300 wrote: »

2. State clearly that "I do not have a TV at this property."
3. If they ask if there is a TV in the property state I don't know and basically tell them to f*** off. If they are nasty to you be firm, polite and as nasty back.

1. It is not necessary to have a licence if you own a TV - only if you watch live TV on it. !
2. You do not have to tell them anything.

3. If you watch live TV, buy a licence and stop sponging off the rest of us !

robnye

whats the ruling regarding watching downloaded programs on a laptop
ie from bbciplayer

NewFoundGlory_2

moonrakerz wrote: »

3. If you watch live TV, buy a licence and stop sponging off the rest of us !

I don't think that was aimed at me but just wanted to make clear that I'm not trying to get away with not having a licence, I just honestly don't have a tv so don't want to get in trouble for someone else having one!

But thanks for everyones replies - I can stop worrying now!

olly300

robnye wrote: »

whats the ruling regarding watching downloaded programs on a laptop
ie from bbciplayer

You don't legally need a licence.

The BBC like to imply you do for all of their services but you only need it if you watch TV via an aerial, freeview box, satellite or cable.

robnye

olly300 wrote: »

You don't legally need a licence.

The BBC like to imply you do for all of their services but you only need it if you watch TV via an aerial, freeview box, satellite or cable.

thanks thats what i thought.... my eldest daughter is going to university in september and has said she will only watch dvds and stuff downloaded, so wanted check out whether a licence was required

fitshase

You may also need to check who is on the tenancy agreement for the flat and what your tenancy agreement states.

If you share a flat but are subletting from the other tenants then they will be on the tenancy agreement and be responsible for the TV licence.

However, if you have a separate tenancy agreement with the landlord, you need to check the wording of the tenancy agreement to see what it says about the TV licence and who is responsible. It may just state that you must provide a TV licence for your own equipment. If that is the case and the TV in the living room is not yours, you have nothing to worry about.

If the TV is the landlords (i.e., it's a furnished flat), speak to the landlord as you must have a licence for any receiving equipment in use.

adaze

I remember at Uni the TVL people flyered everywhere and there was something on the flyer about flats. From what I remember it said you need a single licence if non of the internal doors were locked with a key. However if you could lock the bedrooms with keys then you would need a licence for each room, i.e one licence per resident. If you then had a communal TV in a lounge you would need another licence. So the way I saw it if you lived in a three person flat with locks on the bedrooms you needed 4 licences :eek: I thought it would be just easier if we never got one

nomoneytoday

There is no such thing in the UK as a TV license. We have TV licences