TV license

shaun_from_Africa

It's a lot easier to to not respond and refuse to let them in

Has anyone stated that people shouldn't respond to the mail asking if there is a TV at the address?.
No. What they have suggested is simply that they do not have to allow the TV licencing people into their house so that they can make sure that someone isn't lying.

I had exactly the same scenario a few years ago.
My house was empty whilst I was working away, hence I didn't have a TV licence.
I received a letter informing me of this, and was asked to confirm that I didn't need a licence, which I responded to.
Despite this, In the next 8 months I received a further 5 letters informing me that the licencing authority would take action if I didn't apply for a licence, and would get permission to enter my property.

Finally after I sent a recorded delivery to the head of the dept, threatening him with legal action for harassment, I received a reply stating that in this instance, they have decided that no further action would be taken!

Whenever I fill out and return an insurance application, bank account application etc, the relevant company doesn't automatically assume that I am being dishonest, so why should the TV licencing authority be able to do this?

vikingaero

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Whenever I fill out and return an insurance application, bank account application etc, the relevant company doesn't automatically assume that I am being dishonest, so why should the TV licencing authority be able to do this?

TVL/Capita work on the premise that everyone has a TV and that it's unthinkable in todays society for people not to have a TV. They don't realise that many people read books, have other hobbies, work away etc. Even if you only watch DVDs they'll try and crowbar their way in and claim you need one - it's amazing what effect a sniff of commission will have on the TVL agent.

allybee101

I haven't had a TV for 4 years. I used to get the threatening letters from them, and also once had a "we said we'd call" notice through my letter box (2009). I moved in 2010 and not had one at my new home.
Recently they seem to have improved the wording of their letters and made them a bit less rude, although there are still the undertones of "you could be lying". I don't like the fact that they want to to tell them by phone/internet that you don't have a tv - didn't want them getting my details but hate paying postage to write to them.. I filled in the online form and I became Ms Present Occupier.
If one of them turns up I don't know whether I'd let them in or not. On one hand I'd like the smug satisfaction of proving that I don't have a tv, on the other hand I feel that they have no right to enter and inspect my home.

RazWaz

I still get letters all the time from them, and the occasional visit. I do have a TV but it's only used for my PS3, no arial attached so I don't need a licence.

It gets really boring being told I'm lying for not using a TV, even when I explain it's because of my disability. Very sick of being told I WILL get a £1000 fine. No I sodding wont cause I don't watch flaming TV!

legowindow

drinkupretty wrote: »

We keep getting letters saying that they visited (don't watch live tv hence no license) shame that they always come when we are at work. Ah well.

We don't have a license either as we don't watch live TV. We bought a new TV from R!cher S0unds who passed on our details but we only have a wii and a PS3. We've had loads of letters from them since despite a letter and phone call informing them we don't have a license and wouldn't want to pay through the nose just to watch z listers skating around in a frilly skirt anyway.

We STILL had a 'we said we'd call' letter through the door just after lunchtime one day too. I assume they think we're all sat at home watching our 'free' daily dose of Jeremy kyle?

Some of the letters are very threatening, especially the one we got that said they would take us to court etc etc - you can only imagine how frightening that would be for an elderly person (or anyone for that matter) to receive.

Scum.

babyshoes

In 8 years here we have never had a licence (or TV, for that matter). We had one letter a couple of years ago which we ignored - didn't phone, write or anything, and have had nothing since. If they did turn up, I would refuse access until they arrived with a search warrent and police officer.

patman99

Strangely, you can watch stuff streamed by Iplayer without a license.
As the detector vans cannot pick-up plasma or LCD TV's which is why you are required to give a name and address when purchasing a new set.

sirmarcus

Strange I live at SW1A 2AA and I have never paid for a TV license. I guess that I must just be lucky ?;)

esuhl

patman99 wrote: »

As the detector vans cannot pick-up plasma or LCD TV's...

You've had to give your name and address when buying a new television for years - long before plasma and LCD panels existed, I'm sure.

Anyway, the "detector vans" can't detect any kind of TV because the reception of a radio signal does not cause any detectable signal to be emitted.

TV Licensing used to pretend (in the days before LCD/plasma screens) that they could tell the difference between a computer screen and a TV. If that's true then they could only be detecting the tuning circuits, which exist in all types of TV-receiving equipment, regardless of the screen type.

Freedom of Information Act requests to divulge the details of the method used by detector vans have been rejected because "disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the prevention or detection of crime". If the information is not already public, then we can assume that the licensing company is unwilling to divulge its methods in court. Thus it would be impossible for the prosecution to use the "TV detector" as evidence in court.

There is simply no such thing as a "TV detector van". It's quite possible that dummy vans exist (perhaps containing a database of addresses of licensed TVs so that other addresses can be targeted).

Oliver14

Driver8 wrote: »

It wasn't called Blair's Broadcasting Company for nothing. I hope they go bust.

You're right it wasn't called Blair's Broadcasting company.