TV License, how to prove that I am not watching the TV?

GavB79

I haven't had (or needed to have) a TV licence for over 8 years, like a lot of people I used to just watch iPlayer and now, Netflix through an xBox. The xbox is connected to a monitor rather than TV but as the content is so vast and in HD I am tempted to get a proper telly to watch it on now.
I have not really been hassled by TV licencing since I told them on the phone I didn't have a TV. When I moved house I got more letters for the new address but just called them up again. Nobody has ever visited me.
My concern is that if I now buy a proper TV, which still won't be connected to any aerial or tuned in, it will trigger a campaign of harassment to get a licence. If inspectors aren't allowed in and have no means of detecting you, why don't thousands of dishonest people who really DO watch live TV evade the licence? I'm sure some do but it can't be that many in the scheme of things?
I also heard the Govt. was going to change the methodology and make the licence a 'computer tax' instead, and charge you if you have a PC in the home. Did I dream that, I'm sure I'm not making it up...

mcjordi

basically if you watch live tv on a device capable of recieving them then you need a license be it on your pc mobile or xbox

i watch on iplayer on my xbox and watch lovefilm and netflix

sod the tv people

oh yeah when i bought my new tv (42") that i saved for i did get a few threatograms but they soon changed from dear mcjordi to legal occupier

i got one visit not long after buying mine so be on your guard if you decided to buy new tv

the-mango

Does this not work?
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/no-licence-needed/

All_eBayed_Out

When I moved in here, I phoned them up after receiving a letter to the occupier. Told them on the phone no live tv only catch up and I havnt heard anything from them since and that must have been about 4 months ago.

mcjordi

the-mango wrote: »

Does this not work?
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/no-licence-needed/

thanks for that mango just filled it in :beer:

[Deleted User]

nig3d wrote: »

By the way, I am currently under investigation now

According to their Threat-O-Grams, I'm currently under 6 investigations.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i dont watch TV, and my kids are happy playing outside or watching DvD's.

i registered with that addy above but still had a visit from the TVL, he wasnt in uniform nore displaying a badge,he asked who i was and and i just replied with im not oblidged to give that information to you, then he asked who else lived here and i repeated the same, and then he told me he'd come back with a search warrant because he was TVL. that was over 2 weeks ago.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i just went ahead and re did the declaration of no license required, didnt have to leave my name, (didnt fill the field out that asks for it and it wen ahead to the next process).

rtho782

Unless they can see you watching TV through a window you are safe.

If they knock on the door, just tell them to go away and come back when they have a warrant. Until such point, ignore ignore ignore.

Cornucopia

This thread is a prime example of the merry dance that the BBC/TVL puts innocent people through. And for what purpose? To ensure that there is sufficient money in the coffers to carry on making Eastenders and other entertainment content.

It's not right - this is not a Police State, and we do not have to prove our innocence to public authorities. At the same time, we ought to be allowed to assert our many rights over our homes without said public authority getting "professionally suspicious".

There's no excuse for all this - the BBC must know it is wrong. (Although given present events, I'm not actually sure what direction their moral compass points in, these days).