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No TV license, new TV and giving TopUpTV box as present: problems?

bitsandpieces Posts: 1,736 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 5:34PM edited 20 January 2011 at 5:53PM in TV MoneySaving

I don't have a TV license because I don't watch any TV as it's broadcast (the signal here only lets me get the terrestrial channels, barely, and I'm not paying to watch the snow over 5 channels). I currently watch from IPlayer, 4OD etc. on my computer (not as TV is broadcast) so don't need a license.

Two changes, though:
- I'm getting a new TV. It has built in freeview, but I won't (can't

) use it. It won't be plugged into an aerial and there isn't an aerial socket here. I will use it to watch IPlayer and DVDs, though.
- I'm buying a top up TV box as a present for someone else, so they can watch ESPN etc. The box will be going to them and I won't be using it (again, I couldn't use it at my home even if I wanted to; I doubt I'd ever watch it round their place either).

Would either of these things make my lack of a TV license an issue. I wouldn't mind paying for it if I could get a decent TV signal here, but paying for the current lack of service would be a joke

Comments

cgk1 Posts: 1,300 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 5:44PM edited 20 January 2011 at 5:48PM

The top-up TV box is irrelevant as it's a gift for someone else.

In theory, you are acting completely legally as long as you don't watch *anything* as it is broadcasted, as soon as you do you are breaking the law.

All nice and easy. However in practice, TV licence PLC will think you are taking the mick and you will get hassled and threaten with all sorts and eventually a man from them will come and visit you and try and catch you out.

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bitsandpieces Posts: 1,736 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 7:44PM

Thanks. TV licensing already hassles me with letters etc, so no change there. I genuinely don't have any means of watching live broadcast TV (I'd be quite happy to pay a TV licence if I can actually get a decent signal), so if they want to confirm that I have no aerial socket and so forth they are welcome to do so.

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Kurtis_Blue Posts: 2,217 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 8:40PM

bitsandpieces wrote: »

Thanks. TV licensing already hassles me with letters etc, so no change there. I genuinely don't have any means of watching live broadcast TV (I'd be quite happy to pay a TV licence if I can actually get a decent signal), so if they want to confirm that I have no aerial socket and so forth they are welcome to do so.

Remember, the new TV and STB supplier are required by law to inform TVL of your details, you however are not required by law to submit legitimate details.

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jonty1970 Posts: 492 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 10:03PM

Ignore the TV licence wallies. They will keep harassing you to buy a TV licence though, but don't even answer the door to them. They will give you a headache and can't be trusted.
Don't tell them anything, it's none of their business what you do in your own home. They will try and make you pay up, just because you have a set and they won't take no for an answer

There is lots of help on here

http://www.tvlicensing.biz/phpBB3/index.php?sid=3cb4a8e9293fd5da0c6b0b00bc7e25a5

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davidlizard Posts: 1,582 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 10:38PM

Fully agree - under no circumstances let them into your property. TVL gain most of their evidence from people self-incriminating themselves, and they are masters at tricking people into making confessions that they can use in court - even if the person does legitimately not require a licence.

There are a few threads on here where TVL wrangle their way into someones house, convince the person they need a licence, and next thing they know a court summons has appeared.

As stated above, the correct course of action is to not enter any form of communication with them and close the door. Despite all their official looking uniforms and letters, its all just a facade and you legally do not have to tell them anything.

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vic_sf49 Posts: 766 Forumite

20 January 2011 at 10:42PM

Just take great delight in throwing away all the letters they send, and never let them through your door.

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moonrakerz Posts: 8,650 Forumite

21 January 2011 at 3:30PM

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

you however are not required by law to submit legitimate details.

Did you get that, Mr Duck or is it Mr Mouse ?

In your circumstances I would write to your local TVL office, recorded delivery, and inform them that you have removed their "implied right of access" to your property. If they set foot on your land you can then sue them. You can, although it is NOT a legal requirement, also inform them that you do not watch/record live TV and therefore any mail from them will be returned to them unopened.
Also, TVL have said in a statement in Parliament, that they will not take removal of right of access as any form of admission of wrong doing by the house holder and they will not harass people because of this.

I did this, TVL have confirmed this in a letter to my MP.

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