TV Licence Woes

Armitage

Hi,

Just had a visit from a TV licence agent. I don't have a TV; haven't had one for about three or four years now. I refused them entrance (as I don't support the BBC's bullying tactics against low income people, and I'm not letting someone into my home because *they* suspect I *might* be doing wrong, with no evidence). Have now read around the internet, and see they can be pretty ruthless. Just wondering what the best thing to do now is.

Should I write to them, and outline exactly how our conversation went?

Or should I ignore them?

I got rid of my TV when a flatmate moved out and took it with him - should I tell them this/ask my friend to tell them this?

I of course want to do everything possible to minimise the chance of their seeking a search warrent/magistrates court appointment. But I'm not prepared to let people suspicious of me into my home on no decent grounds. Any advice would be much appreciated!

ps - not sure if this is the right subforum! let me know if another one is more appropriate....

go_cat

Do you use your internet to view tv programmes i-player etc

Jeff_Bridges_hair

If that were me and i didnt have a TV I would let them in to see for themselves. I done this a few years ago when i didnt have a TV and they left me alone..

maybe you should do the same and save yourself lots of heartache and bother

Armitage

Do you use your internet to view tv programmes i-player etc

Yes, but that is within my legal rights without a TV licence, as specified by the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. §9(2) clearly specifies that a TV licence is only required when one receives information at the same time as it is broadcast. Watching streaming programmes from BBC iplayer after initial broadcast (i.e. not live) does not require a licence.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/692/regulation/9/made

Armitage

maybe you should do the same and save yourself lots of heartache and bother

I will if push comes to shove, but as stated I'm not particularly happy to allow people who use reasonably heavy handed tactics to present themselves as needing to see into my home when they have no right to do so. But here isn't the place to have a political argument about the rights and wrongs of TV licensing.

So I'm really just after picking the brains of those with greater legal knowledge then me about the way this will play out.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

If that were me and i didnt have a TV I would let them in to see for themselves. I done this a few years ago when i didnt have a TV and they left me alone..

maybe you should do the same and save yourself lots of heartache and bother

RazWaz

I don't require a TV licence and I've had multiple threats of court action against me. The main reason I refused to let them in, is because I do own a TV, it's just not plugged into an aerial (never has been) - I have it because I own a PS3 no other reason, yet they wouldn't listen to me and claim that they caught me watching TV.

Call up and ask to make a formal complaint, you'll have to give your address but you can withhold your name (I did). They will then take you off the mailing list for 2 years. Once they have done this they will ask if there is anything else they can do, say yes, I want to make a formal complaint (they do the removal thing hoping to stop you making the complaint), ask for it in writing. They will leave you alone after that, worked for me =D

RazWaz

I don't require a TV licence and I've had multiple threats of court action against me. The main reason I refused to let them in, is because I do own a TV, it's just not plugged into an aerial (never has been) - I have it because I own a PS3 no other reason, yet they wouldn't listen to me and claim that they caught me watching TV.

Call up and ask to make a formal complaint, you'll have to give your address but you can withhold your name (I did). They will then take you off the mailing list for 2 years. Once they have done this they will ask if there is anything else they can do, say yes, I want to make a formal complaint (they do the removal thing hoping to stop you making the complaint), ask for it in writing. They will leave you alone after that, worked for me =D

Armitage

Call up and ask to make a formal complaint,

Thanks! That's exactly the kind of info I'm after. So do you phone up and actually say 'I'm going to make a formal complaint unless you remove me from your mailing list', or do you phone up and say 'Please remove me from your mailing list' and then threaten formal complaint? Also, the enforcement agent was fairly reasonable, although certainly not pleasant, so I'm not sure what I have to actually complain about....

RazWaz

Just phone up and say 'I would like to make a formal complaint' don't add anything else to that. They will probably get you right onto a manager (did for me) and you then say you have found their threatening and harassing behaviour distressing (yes you'll sound like a little bit of a idiot but using those words mean they have to pay attention). They should then remove you from the mailing list without you asking, though if they don't, they can't refuse.

Armitage

Great, thanks! I'll give it a go. Might do it via email so I have a record (and I'll restate the conversation I had with the enforcer, as I've heard those guys work on commission and sometimes lie....)