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do i need a tv licence to buy a new tv ?

hi there

not sure if this is the best place to post this, so sorry in advanced if not.

i only use my tv for xbox 360 gaming, watching dvds , and watch the occasional programs on catch up services , so i do not have a licence as i do not need one for the above :)

do you need a licence in order to buy a new tv? as i want to change mine

thank you
«13456

Comments

  • fred7777
    fred7777 Posts: 677 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    No you don't
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    Have a look at the TV licensing website?

    My understanding is that no you don't need a TV license to purchase a TV.

    The "store" you purchase it from has a legal obligation to advise TVL of your purchase and address.

    It is then up to TVL to inquire whether you need a license.

    It is up to them to prove if/whether you start to use it for live TV reception.

    They may be quite persistent in their inquiries, they tend not to believe people.
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

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  • Alisha2008
    Alisha2008 Posts: 1,155 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yo don't need it, but you will be asked your details if you buy it from a shop, or if you buy it online they will send your details automatically and they will contact you. I bought a tv and had it delivered to my office a couple of years ago, and letters started arriving in the office asking if we had a TV license!!!!
  • NO you dont. You only need a tv license if you watch live broadcast television.
    "If you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver" - Ayrton Senna
  • jamesperrett
    jamesperrett Posts: 1,011 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Couldn't you buy a computer monitor instead? No worries about licencing with them.
  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 8,193 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Is there a friend or relative (who has a TV licence) you can use for payment and delivery? Tricky if you're planning to buy on credit, but fine if you can pay the relative cash.
    As already said, you don't need a licence to buy, but TV Licensing will bug you if there isn't a licence listed at your address. Retailers are obliged to provide the information to TV Licensing, but don't make a big deal out of it and I would imagine don't care, so long as they've made a token effort to do their bit.

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  • tripled
    tripled Posts: 2,883 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Just put false details down on the licening form, it's what I always do. The shop is required to capture the information, I don't believe you are obliged to provided correct information, certainly they've never checked mine. I wonder if they've tried chasing Micky Mouse of Disney World for his licence fee. Trickier if you're buying online though.
  • Slightly off topic although you do say you watch on demand tv but online - it'll be interesting to see what they'll do in the future given the bbc iplayer (to watch it you are supposed to have a licence). Will they ask the same questions of people getting broadband or a laptop/PC.
  • Spank
    Spank Posts: 1,751 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Scania_Man wrote: »
    Slightly off topic although you do say you watch on demand tv but online - it'll be interesting to see what they'll do in the future given the bbc iplayer (to watch it you are supposed to have a licence). Will they ask the same questions of people getting broadband or a laptop/PC.

    You only need a licence to watch live events on iplayer
  • m00nie
    m00nie Posts: 2,314 Forumite
    just dont speak to them lol

    if they tap on your door close the door on them. unless you actually confirm who you are and that you are supposed to have one(how can you confirm this if you dont need one) they cant do a thing..
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