Cancelling TV license question

Quiet_Life

"Computers and laptops

Many TV channels are now available to watch over the internet. If you’re watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they're being shown on TV, then you need a TV Licence. However, you don’t need to be covered by a licence if you’re only using ‘on-demand’ services to watch programmes after they have been shown on TV. So, you need a licence to watch any channel live online, but you wouldn’t need one to use BBC iPlayer to catch up on an episode of a programme you missed, for example."
From the Govt. website

P-J-D_2

david39 wrote: »

You have said twice in the above posts that you are not watching broadcast TV, with the implied emphasis on broadcast. This suggests that you are watching some kind of TV.
I'm not being crtitical - just curious - what is it that you are watching? - or am I reading too much into your phrasing?

I phrased it like that because watching / recording broadcast TV is what the license covers. Everything I watch is either a DVD, a download, or iPlayer on the computer.

P-J-D_2

Quiet_Life wrote: »

"Computers and laptops

Many TV channels are now available to watch over the internet. If you’re watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they're being shown on TV, then you need a TV Licence. However, you don’t need to be covered by a licence if you’re only using ‘on-demand’ services to watch programmes after they have been shown on TV. So, you need a licence to watch any channel live online, but you wouldn’t need one to use BBC iPlayer to catch up on an episode of a programme you missed, for example."
From the Govt. website

TVL themselves are extremely clear about this:
"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast."
Couldn't be simpler.

theonlywayisup

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/update/refund/applyForRefund.aspx

You can apply for your refund online.

jonty1970

Have a read on here....
http://www.tvlicensing.biz/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=9

Lots of people don't pay and are fed up of threats and intimidation from these goons!
I haven't had a licence for 7 years!
Keep your money in your pocket, instead of lining the pockets of the likes of Jonathon Ross etc!

pcombo

I agree dont pay tv licence waste of money. Cancel direct debt or so .

P-J-D_2

Aaaghh.. anywhere I post about my TVL experience the thread gets co-opted by people with a grudge against the BBC. :-( My dilemma is still - do I let them in if they visit? I can show them the TV aerial is unconnected, my Topfield isn't wired up. I can show them my mobile phone isnt capable of receiving live TV. I can show my XBOX which I watch downloads on and DVDs etc. What about the computer? They can see it, but I'm not dismantling the thing or let them get their hands on it! What are these "dirty tricks" I hear about them using when inside the property?? I'm thinking of letting them in to satisfy them, but can I trust these guys. Stuff like this makes me think nothing satisfies them, and I should ask them to leave if they knock on my door : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Sa1DgmCww&NR=1

jonty1970

co-opted:question:
Anyway, have you had a look at the link I put up?
You will find all the answers there

I wouldn't trust them (TVL "officers") as far as I could spit them!
Don't speak to them
Don't answer the door to them
You won't have to listen to the rubbish and lies they tell to get you to sign up for a licence.
It's your home and your business.

If you let them in, they may try to confiscate your pc. I have heard of people threatened with having it taken away and opened up to see if their is a TV card in it.

Do you want the hassle?

P-J-D_2

jonty1970 wrote: »

co-opted:question:

Yeah - hijacked by people who seem to be evading paying a license because they are crooked, or on the principle that they don't like the BBC, as opposed to being exempt. Further up the thread, one chap said they are cons- watch TV for free. And...

jonty1970 wrote: »

Anyway, have you had a look at the link I put up?
You will find all the answers there

...I looked, and found many people on the forum are evaders.. eg cooments like 'my wife gave the game away' and 'since we've been "done", at least we can open the curtains in the day tee hee' etc.

jonty1970 wrote: »

I wouldn't trust them (TVL "officers") as far as I could spit them!
Don't speak to them
Don't answer the door to them
You won't have to listen to the rubbish and lies they tell to get you to sign up for a licence.
It's your home and your business.

If you let them in, they may try to confiscate your pc. I have heard of people threatened with having it taken away and opened up to see if their is a TV card in it.

Do you want the hassle?

I want an honest direction on how the genuinely exempt deal with the licensing people without being mixed in with scum who flaunt the law. I am reading a lot of horror stories, but they mostly seem to come from people who are confrontational with TVL. If you are not confrontational, you let them see you haven't got a live feed, how can they force you to make a false statement or pay for a license you don't need etc? How do I demonstrate it to TVL satisfaction, without being harassed? If you believe the horror stories, if you don't let them in voluntarily, they will get a warrant anyway. Starting to feel edgy about the whole thing. Stressful letters, people snooping through my curtains, vans parked outside etc. I'm on my guard already, had people stealing petrol from my car, you get occasional burglaries and antisocial behaviour round here.. last time I had an unexpected caller at my door at 10pm it was some nutter with blood pouring down his face... so you can imagine, since I live alone in a detached property, the idea of people creeping round my property late at night makes me feel sick. All I can do for now, since my aerial runs down the side of the building, is remove the plug on it and have the end exposed to the outside. I just don't know any more - I suffer OCD and depression this is playing on my mind. I have a crime reduction officer coming round to inspect inside and outside the property, I think I'll show him my setup, and ask for his advice.

Kurtis_Blue

Its a shame it has you worried, it seems it would be best for you to deny them access to ANY part of your property rather then let them in:

http://www.bbctvlicence.com/Withholding%20implied%20right%20of%20access.htm

If you do go down the route of letting them in I would suggest a planned meeting at a pre arranged time and date and if you are that concerned or feeling particularly low have an advocate talk on your behalf.