little worried about my mortgage and other costs of living

Organic12

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

Relevant bit:
"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."

I watch the odd thing on my laptop long after it's been broadcast. I have spoken with the TV licensing people before to double check and they confirmed this was fine.

michalp

but if you dont watch tv you dont pay. They can't charge you for that you are not using.

LumpyCustard_2

Fly_Baby wrote: »

I am really curious now - can they really tell if you are using your TV for TV or not? I thought they just presume that you CAN use and cannot prove that you HAVEN'T been using it hence you have to get the license. How exactly will they be checking?

The onus is on them to prove that you are using it to receive TV pictures. If you have a TV but you're only watching DVDs, then you do not need a licence.

Fly_Baby

Thanks Organic12, michalp, LumpyCustard - good to know for future.

I wonder why the TV Licensing people were so adamantly giving me the wrong info before. Once I did have a TV but genuinely didn't use it - and I wrote and phoned them - and yet they kept sending me letters threatening with a 1000 fine because "our records show that you have a TV equipment at this address yet do not hold a license".

Sorry for trespassing on your thread, michalp!

beaujolais-nouveau

Fly_Baby wrote: »

I am really curious now - can they really tell if you are using your TV for TV or not? ... . How exactly will they be checking?

TV detector vans.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/06_june/24/licensing_detector_vans.shtml

Fly_Baby

Thanks, beaujolais-nouveau, I know of this - but as I said, in my experience, the TV Licensing people do not always bother to check - the fact that one has a TV at home is enough for them to demand to buy a license. They were pestering me for months, completely ignoring my numerous letters explaining that I was not using my TV and kept it at the bottom of the wardrobe!

Belt-tightener_2

If you own a TV you need a licence as you are capable of watching TV my parents regualy have the argument they don't own a TV but have a arieal on the roof so offten get inspected they where threatened with been taken to court because they have the means to recive ie an arieal they also pulled the mobile phone argument, they don't have a phone with a camera never mind TV they even wanted to check the Caravan and Camper van

nad_

michalp wrote: »

Hi… (Sorry if I make spelling or other grammar mistake – English is not my first language)

I’m just about to complete and get keys to my first property in UK J Finally after 6months of dealing with very unprofessional mortgage advisors, lazy property agent etc etc… I’m ready to move in… but I’m little worried about my finances.

I give you my finance plan so please tell me what you think – Am I safe or not… You have more experience living in UK J It’s my first mortgage J so please understand my worries.

My salary (on hand) is £430pw (£1720pm if is 4 payments – or £2130 if is 5 weeks). The salary should increase next year 5-15%.
No other incomes – maybe something but not regular – let say +£1000-1500 per year

1) The mortgage is £399 interest only for 30 years (life tracking +0.85% to Bank of England Rates)
2) I’m planning to open an ISA account and pay up to £150 per month till I be able to repay the mortgage
3) I have 3 loans – first: £127pm (32x left) and £34 (14x left) and £75 (dfs – I will start repaying about 09/2009.
4) Car Insurance - £34pm
5) Just repaid my credit card so its £0 J FINALLY!
6) Because its Leasehold I will be paying £103 per month (water!, building insurance, window cleaning and gardening included)
7) Diesel – approx £100 per month (for driving to work)
8) Mobile £30 (contract – 16m left)
9) TV license not needed – I don’t like TV J I’m using TV to watch dvd/divx only.
10) Internet £15
11) No gas in my property – only electricity

Summary: £1067 (incl. future payment for dfs sofa and £150 ISA saving account). This amount is flexible because I don’t have to pay ISA every month.

My girlfriend is currently not working – she is waiting to be registered as a physiotherapist in uk so she can’t participate in all costs.


So £653 will stay on my account to pay for food (2 people and a dog) and electricity (average £40 per month – well isolated flat). Is it safe?
Those months which got 5 weeks (salary) will give me extra £430 to my budget to cover other expenses like holidays etc.

Hopefully my girlfriend will start working soon…

What do you think… should I be worried or not? Its stressing me very much…

ok dude lets give u some help hmmmmmmm first bin the tv set cuz u can watch dvd on laptop ok now come to 100 pound disel, just go to any fish and chips shop and ask them if they can give u the unwanted oil which u can filter a bit (even using some cloths so big chunk and bits stay out of oil)and use it in ur car and you can watch video on tht on youtube,so another 100 pound saved per month,now come to mobile contract so you can compare the mobile site which give you 12 month free line rental(heandset will be not good though)and i will recon going for auto cash back cuz its hasel free now i hav save you some 150 pound per month ok lets c what else you got hmmmmm i can see a dog well to b honset with you if i had dog in this satuation then i would sold my dog on e-bay by now cuz i would like to save money from every bits and as you mentioned holiday so forget about it or just keep checking on internet when it says 20 pound per side holiday go for it well i think thts to much advise for the moment and yeh ofcourse for the english as its not my first language also ;P)

beaujolais-nouveau

nad_ wrote: »

ok dude lets give u some help hmmmmmmm [et seq]

This contribution from nad_ can safely be ignored by michalp and everyone else - my mother tongue is English, and I can't understand it. It is not redeemed by being even a little funny, either.

firesidemaid

what kind of heating do you have? i reckon your elec bill will be more than £40 a month - especially in the winter.