TV licence court summons

melancholly

sad_dog_lady wrote: »

hi, can i ask a question, i have always had a tv licence, untill 3 months ago ,when i realised i just dont watch it, so i wrote a nice polite letter and disconnected my areil, however they have told me i need to let an inspector in, this i wasnt worried about untill i read this thread, is he likely to be like a salesman and not leave when asked? i have two large dogs that could i suppose perswade him to leave but i'd prefer it if he didnt come in if he's going to be high pressure.

to be honest, in your situation i'd just let them in and as the ariel isn't connected, it'll be the end of the matter.... the likelihood is that they won't send anyone anyway - they then to focus on houses full of students who don't tend to buy licenses. you have nothing to hide and i wouldn't think anything to be worried about.

moonrakerz

Voyager2002 wrote: »

That is correct, except that if they enter and see a TV with an aerial connected there will be a presumption that you do indeed use it to watch broadcasts. Not to mention the possibility that they could use information from their detector vans.

The fact that here is an aerial connected to the TV means nothing, they have to prove that you were watching (or recording) live TV.

Detector van "evidence" has never been used in Court, such evidence is inadmissable as it it classed as "covert surveillance" - the same as telephone tapping.

If you watch live TV - buy a licence. If you honestly believe that you don't need a licence, refuse to deal with TV Licensing - they have no powers whatsoever ! You don't need to tell them anything, you don't have to speak to them, they are not allowed on/in your property without your permission.You can actually ban them from even coming up to your front door.

melancholly

moonrakerz wrote: »

If you honestly believe that you don't need a licence, refuse to deal with TV Licensing - they have no powers whatsoever ! You don't need to tell them anything, you don't have to speak to them, they are not allowed on/in your property without your permission.You can actually ban them from even coming up to your front door.

but why make a huge deal out of it if you genuinely don't need a license? you could deal with them and end the matter, or you could start a compain against them that wastes time and energy! that just makes more hassle, and makes you look guilty.

moonrakerz

melancholly wrote: »

but why make a huge deal out of it if you genuinely don't need a license?

I'll tell you why !

Because TV Licensing are little more than a bunch of bully boys employed by the BBC to enforce licence fee collection. Their methods are little more than those used by cowboy clampers

Their web site is full of half truths, their employees tell lies and even assault people.

A considerable number of people, who genuinely don't need a licence, are worried sick by the tactics these people use.
Their last TV campaign had to be changed because of it's threatening tone:- "it's all in the database" - we all know how good theses people are at maintaining data bases !

I had 12 months of being threatened and bullied by these people over an empty house. Why should I write and tell them I don't have TV ? Why should I 'phone then (on 0870) and tell them - there is NO Law that says I should, even though their website tells you to contact them.
There is no other organisation - not even the Police - to whom I have to prove that I am NOT breaking the Law.

If you wish to kow-tow to every jumped up little Tom, !!!!!! & Harry - fine ! I am not prepared to do so.

Optimist

moonrakerz wrote: »

Detector van "evidence" has never been used in Court, such evidence is inadmissable as it it classed as "covert surveillance" - the same as telephone tapping..

It all comes under RIPA basically anybody and their dog can spy on you nowadays quite legally...

bella2121

i just feel that some people are on a personal crusade to prove a point, i can assure you that all staff at TVL are not quote "A bunch of bully boys" "employees who tell lies", i worked there myself and there is alot of decent people working there who are just trying to earn a living and provide good customer service.

people should just calm down and get off their high horse!

melancholly

moonrakerz wrote: »

I'll tell you why !

Because TV Licensing are little more than a bunch of bully boys employed by the BBC to enforce licence fee collection. Their methods are little more than those used by cowboy clampers

Their web site is full of half truths, their employees tell lies and even assault people.

A considerable number of people, who genuinely don't need a licence, are worried sick by the tactics these people use.
Their last TV campaign had to be changed because of it's threatening tone:- "it's all in the database" - we all know how good theses people are at maintaining data bases !

I had 12 months of being threatened and bullied by these people over an empty house. Why should I write and tell them I don't have TV ? Why should I 'phone then (on 0870) and tell them - there is NO Law that says I should, even though their website tells you to contact them.
There is no other organisation - not even the Police - to whom I have to prove that I am NOT breaking the Law.

If you wish to kow-tow to every jumped up little Tom, !!!!!! & Harry - fine ! I am not prepared to do so.

i've had to write to them on a few occasions when they asked why i didn't have a license - and then it all went away..... personally i prefer sending one letter than dealing with 'a year' of bullying. in my life, there are bigger fights to deal with and this is one that can be avoided - but everyone chooses the crusades they believe in to follow!

Scousebird_2

My TV aerial is completely broken and has never worked since I moved in (I rent a house) but I still pay a licence because I have Virgin Media-at the end of the day-if you have a TV, then you need a TV licence, just like if you have dangerous dog you need a dangerous dog licence, or a car, you need a Motor Vehicle Licence-even if you car is off the road and you don't use it, it still belongs to you so you have to prove you are licenced to drive it. Whether you use the TV or not is irrelevant, the intention to use it is there because you possess one and that is something the courts decide. If you don't have a TV then there is no case to argue as a person stipulates they don't have a TV and therefore cannot intend to use one. The equipment is there and that's it.

Someone I know has been prosecuted 3 TIMES for not having a licence and personally it makes my blood boil when it works out something like 38p a day to have one.

I think it's unfair on those who do pay and are honest. And I see prosecution as the right thing, and the BBC do put on some good stuff occasionally!

chuckley

last i checked it was one license per household, ragrdless of how many TV's u have.

you need to find your contract stating your rent covered tv license fee... if not your screwed.

Scousebird_2

moonrakerz wrote: »

I had 12 months of being threatened and bullied by these people over an empty house. Why should I write and tell them I don't have TV ? Why should I 'phone then (on 0870) and tell them - there is NO Law that says I should, even though their website tells you to contact them.
There is no other organisation - not even the Police - to whom I have to prove that I am NOT breaking the Law. .

Then don't phone an 0870 number-write a letter (which is a day's worth of TV licence wasted on the stamp) or use this link below to make a free call.

http://www.saynoto0870.com

Click ''find alternative number'' and type in TV Licence

Plus even if they did call-let them in and show them you don't have a TV and they will record it and move on. Job done.