tv licence do i need one ?

kronas

hi all, due to health reasons i have to be on my own sometimes, i do not have permanant residency although i have declared that i class it as my main home, now, threatening letter comes through and says i need a licence if i have a tv.

my question is seen as i have a gaming console and audio speakers (which i just use for a bit of music yes its a waste ) as far as i know i do NOT need one ?

What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence?

You need to notify us in writing that this is the case and one of our Enforcement Officers may need to visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence.

Please write to us including your name, address and the reason you believe that you don't need a licence at:

TV Licensing
Bristol
BS98 1TL

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link1

so is this the case ?

or is to catch people out ?

Idiophreak

are you saying that you don't have a TV at all? you just use the console to play music?

If you don't actually have a TV, monitor etc I can't see that they can complain...

kronas

Idiophreak wrote: »

are you saying that you don't have a TV at all? you just use the console to play music?

If you don't actually have a TV, monitor etc I can't see that they can complain...

no, i have a tv, but only use it for the reasons in my first post, i dont actually watch broadcast transmitted signals ( transmitter mast, cable, sat etc)

nifferwilko

All you have to do, if you don't watch broadcasted programs, is write them a letter saying that the tv is used for 'x' purpose and not for watching tv. My local church has a tv & video purely for watching videos, and we just sent a letter saying as much.

dag_2

Yes, that's right, you don't need a TV licence.

However, like TVL ask, you do need to inform them.

And unfortunately, informing them just the once isn't enough. They will keep checking at regular intervals to see if the situation has changed. So, you need to keep informing them over and over again, at regular intervals. I don't know how frequently you need to do it, though.

ysabell

If the tv is capable of receiving a tv signal then you need a licence. Change your tv for a computer monitor!

kittiwoz

ysabell wrote:

If the tv is capable of receiving a tv signal then you need a licence.

No you do not.

The information posted by kronas in the original post is from the TV licensing website and it is correct except in that I have found it sufficient to inform them by phoning 0800 3282020, which I found on the say no to 0870 website.

This is also from the television licensing website should further clarification be required:

You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, set-top boxes, video or DVD recorders, computers or mobile phones to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV.

I.E. You need a license if your TV is used to recieve a TV signal, NOT if it is capable of it.

kronas

dag wrote: »

Yes, that's right, you don't need a TV licence.

However, like TVL ask, you do need to inform them.

And unfortunately, informing them just the once isn't enough. They will keep checking at regular intervals to see if the situation has changed. So, you need to keep informing them over and over again, at regular intervals. I don't know how frequently you need to do it, though.

well seen as im feeling a bit better (or is that hypermanic???) i decided to write a little letter: excerpt:

dear sir(s)/madam(s) it has come to my attention that you have made or are going to make attempts accessing the property situated at number: ************************, the rest of the address is at the top right of this letter, after 'observing' your methods of requested 'compliance' i am hereby giving you notice of no access or wayleave to the above address, please note continual harrasment or threatening, abusive, verbal, non-verbal, or any such communications which are are deemed to be unnecessary such as repeated postal communications, leaflets, notices, notes, etc will be deemed a breach of the peace and/or harrasment.

Alfie_E

I believe any letter (or telephone call) won’t make much of a difference. Capita who are TV Licensing will go by the location of the address as to whether it’s likely an offence is taking place, not whether you bother to send a letter or what it contains. I certainly wouldn’t be so defensive as the letter you’ve written. Something like the following would do.

Thank you for your letter of … . I wish to inform you that no broadcast television is being watched or recorded at the above address.

If some does turn up, tell them it’s not convenient and to go away.

computerwoman

it states on the back of my licence
that if you have a pc you need a licence,
if you cant afford the full amount try to make a deal with them on one of they packages,
they do swipe cards so much a week each week
they do DD's
I pay mine 1/4ly which works out £34.14 every 3 months, this suits me, and have done it this way for afew years now.
£34.14 divided by 3 months = £11.38
divided by 4 weeks =£2.84 per week
so anyone should be able to afford that.
cw

computerwoman

I still dont understand why if you are doing nothing wrong then just let them come and sort it out that way, as the advert says there is no escape from being detected, just pay the licence and be done with it everyone else has to why should you be any different,
sorry for being so blunt.
cw