Cancelled TV License

dehaani

Hi folks, I cancelled my TV license a while back and now I'm having an issue with their "enforcement team".

I own a TV and I use it to watch DVDs and Internet content.Now they keep sending their people round to verify the current situation.

I have refused to allow them access as I feel that I have nothing to prove, besides, how can they tell I don't "tune in" from these visits? They have told me that they can get a warrant and I asked them what evidence they had to support a warrant, they told me they don't need evidence, only suspicion.

They also cannot confirm that the visits will cease if I do let them in.

Can anyone advise how I might maintain my privacy and stop these people from threatening me with warrants etc?

The threatening letters are annoying too. It would be a bonus if I could put a stop to them also.

mrtom21

They assume everyone in the UK mindlessly watches TV every day so unfortunately any property without a TV license pretty much gets the same treatment. I have a TV and a TV license but I don't watch it at all. Shame TV has become such a neccessity to so many people they question when someone actually doesn't watch it :P.

gjchester

dehaani wrote: »

Hi folks, I cancelled my TV license a while back and now I'm having an issue with their "enforcement team".

Friends at work used to not have a TV (they eventually got one as the kids would get asked questions about TV shows in class, and they needed to have seen them.)

Every year they would get a letter and every year they's say No, and occasionally they'd get a visit. Nothing they did ever made much difference the visits and letters kept happening. It was easier to let them in than to say no and have the threat of a warrent all the time.

Unfortunatly you'll just have to live with it, they kinda assume you do have a TV and rightly or wrongly will keep contacting you.

Remember you *DO* need a TV to watch anything live, so if you watch live TV from the BBC on the screen that needs a licence too.

devizes18193

that includes watching live coverage over the net

mrtom21

What if you set a recorder to record live TV then start watching it 5 minutes after it starts broadcasting without actually watching it live?

cajef

mrtom21 wrote: »

What if you set a recorder to record live TV then start watching it 5 minutes after it starts broadcasting without actually watching it live?

You would be recording live TV, if you watch or record live TV you need a licence, you do not need one if you own a TV just to watch pre-recorded video or DVD that someone else has recorded.

Jazer

Does that mean anyone that who uses the internet needs a TV licence?

cajef

dehaani wrote: »

I have refused to allow them access as I feel that I have nothing to prove, besides, how can they tell I don't "tune in" from these visits? They have told me that they can get a warrant and I asked them what evidence they had to support a warrant, they told me they don't need evidence, only suspicion.

Can anyone advise how I might maintain my privacy and stop these people from threatening me with warrants etc?

They have no right of access and it is up to them to prove that you are watching live TV, I doubt that suspicion would be enough evidence for a warrant to be issued.

If they call again tell them where to go and that if they continue you will report them to the Police and your MP for harassment.

HannahIOW

Jazer wrote: »

Does that mean anyone that who uses the internet needs a TV licence?

No, you can watch tv shows online without a tv licence as long as the shows aren't being broadcast live.

cajef

Jazer wrote: »

Does that mean anyone that who uses the internet needs a TV licence?

See post #4 above.

housesitter

There are a few forums with people who are fighting these guys.
Their suggestions are to write to the TVL people and remove their implied right to access your property so that they cannot set foot on it.
Further to that write stating you do not need a license and that you consider the matter finished with. Any further correspondance or vists from them will be considered harrassment and you will take them to court over it.

That's in a nutshell, you'd be best to google for one of the forums that deal specifically with it.


Essentially they are trying to sell you a product.
They have no legal rgith to enter your property. Say nothing to them over than get off my land till the letters are done. You don't legally have to interact with them, they are a private company.