How do I tell the TV license folk I dont need one?

Miss_Lia

Do any of you use the BBC website or listen to the radio? Because a TV licence is not just for the TV. If you have a radio or internet connection in your household you are requried to hold a vaild TV lincence.

shell_girl

Miss Lia I'm afraid that's not actually true. The things you mentioned are funded by the license fee, but you do not require a TV license to use them.

If you have equipment capable of receiving a tv signal as it's being broadcast, then you need a tv license. Lots of people think this means any pc, but if you haven't got a tv card insert thingy in your pc, then you're not watching it live.

Miss_Lia

So think it is okay to use the BBC services without paying just beacuse you don't own a TV?

redsquirrel80

You do require a TV license to watch any broadcasts online if you are watching them at the time of broadcasting - if you watch them after that, i.e. iPlayer repeats, then you don't. The website and radio services are provided free by the BBC without a licence so er, why shouldn't people use them for free?

I cancelled my TV licence for my flat last year as I live mostly at my OH's house, I used the form on the website and they emailed me to confirm it. Apparently I should have received a letter a few weeks after, which I was to return if I'd changed my mind, and then they would arrange a visit to confirm there was no TV set in the property. I've had neither letter nor visit, and no chasing letters either, I cancelled my direct debit so I haven't paid but I'm slightly surprised that they haven't checked up!

C_Mababejive

Miss_Lia wrote: »

So think it is okay to use the BBC services without paying just beacuse you don't own a TV?

Its not a matter of opinion,its a matter of law

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

deepintrouble

I had this exact problem when my house was empty for about a year. At first i got angry at the tone of their letters. I wrote to them and called a few ties but it made no difference, they still kept sending them.

Eventually, one day when I was round there picking up the post there was a knock at the door and it was an "inspector" who had come round to see if i had a telly. The house was empty at the time so i gladly let him have a look. I then tore him off a strip about the attitude of their letters, lack of response etc etc. He apologised profusely and promised the letters would stop. Guess what - they didnt, now i just bin them.

RAS

I have been getting these either at my partners house or mine since about 1980. Neither of us have had a TV licence, although I did share a TV and a licence when I shared a house. I brought an old B&W TV when I moved but when plugged in on day 2 it was dead and I have never had a TV since.

I occasionally used to access TV at another house but often found that there was nothing I wanted to watch during the whole weekend. I occasionally watch something on I-player, last time perhaps five weeks ago.

Around about 2% of people do not have a TV, but amongst those I know it can be 20%. Licencing argue that since nearly 50% of those without a licence are dodging, their letters are reasonable. I would arge that if someone has not had a TV for 30 years, continued haressment is a waste of time and public money.

C_Mababejive

I had the tv man call to me. He asked why i didnt have a licence...I told him it was becuase I didnt need one.

I formed the impression that he wanted to ..ermm...come in and check. He told him that it was not an offence to own a television but that it was an offence to use one,,also that i am sure i would have notice a television in my small house if there had been one and therefore it wasnt necessary for him to check.

koloko

deleted as work colleagues found username and forwaded on all posts to laugh at

Nottoobadyet

koloko wrote: »

To assume that you are more cultured than another because you have eliminated a common medium for art and replaced it with an an alternative form is a blinkered and arrogant basis to thought process

Did I say that I was more cultured than anyone else? No. I just like reading books more than watching TV or films. Some other people might like it too if they tried. Not sure where the vitriol is from.