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TV Licencing?

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  • SAHD_Jim
    SAHD_Jim Posts: 242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud! Mortgage-free Glee!
    this is absolute rubbish !!!!!!

    Yep, this is as stated on the TV Licensing site:
    You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.
    I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve it through not dying
  • Oli.s
    Oli.s Posts: 548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    I appreciate you dont have to prove anything or let them in, but if you do slam the door in their face do they just forget about it, close the case and go away or continue to harrass people.

    I ask becuase I wonder if its just easier to let them in, have a look, then go away? Although as I said, I appreciate they dont have any power, but wonder if not letting them in just leads to further hassle?
  • aayush
    aayush Posts: 1,295 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    at what age is it free tv licence
  • Buzby
    Buzby Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    this is absolute rubbish !!!!!!

    So you say, however the poster is perfectly correct - it is the installation of broadcast receiving equipment that brings the liability - it's all there in the Communcations Act - this is the basis for all criminal prosecutions.

    As to whether you actually watched anything, it is then up to the judge to decide whether you did or not (as you are not going to incriminate yourself, are you?).

    With the capability to receive, you remain at risk - without it, this judgemental brinkmanship is a non-starter.

    The nonsense spouted by those saying a TV is fine as long as 'you don't watch live broadcasts' are simply parroting the line from those offering advice... This isn't 'Law' as only the set Statute can be used. If you have the capability to view, whether you actually watch unlicensed broadcasts or not - It will be a gamble to get away with it.
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 5 January 2013 at 7:53PM
    no they are parroting the line from

    http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/

    http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-if-a-tv-licence-is-not-needed-top12/

    http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/legislation-and-policy-AB9/

    so much time and hot air is wasted on this trivial subject, if you watch live tv, pay up, if you don't, don't and fill in the form

    https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/nln/index.aspx

    It should just be funded from taxes for the time being until parliament decide what to do.
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    this is absolute rubbish !!!!!!
    SAHD_Jim wrote: »
    Yep, this is as stated on the TV Licensing site:
    Buzby wrote: »
    So you say, however the poster is perfectly correct - it is the installation of broadcast receiving equipment that brings the liability - it's all there in the Communcations Act - this is the basis for all criminal prosecutions.

    As to whether you actually watched anything, it is then up to the judge to decide whether you did or not (as you are not going to incriminate yourself, are you?).

    With the capability to receive, you remain at risk - without it, this judgemental brinkmanship is a non-starter.

    The nonsense spouted by those saying a TV is fine as long as 'you don't watch live broadcasts' are simply parroting the line from those offering advice... This isn't 'Law' as only the set Statute can be used. If you have the capability to view, whether you actually watch unlicensed broadcasts or not - It will be a gamble to get away with it.
    Now this is confusing..... I own a computer and a smart phone both capable of watching live TV....even though I only watch BBC programs at a time of my choosing...usually about 5 minutes after they have been broadcast. So do I need a license then?

    Who is right? SAHD Jim quoting from the TV licensing website or Buzby referring to somewhere in the Communincations Act.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • davidlizard
    davidlizard Posts: 1,582 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Oli.s wrote: »
    I appreciate you dont have to prove anything or let them in, but if you do slam the door in their face do they just forget about it, close the case and go away or continue to harrass people.

    I ask becuase I wonder if its just easier to let them in, have a look, then go away? Although as I said, I appreciate they dont have any power, but wonder if not letting them in just leads to further hassle?

    Do not let them in under any circumstances, unless they have a warrant issued by the court, and only then if they are accompanied by a uniformed police officer.

    There are numerous cases on this very forum where people have invited them in, evidence has been fabricated, and they find themselves in court for licence evasion. Letting them in is simply not worth the risk.

    Besides, would you let employees from Starbucks into your house to route through your private possessions to see if you have taken a mug from one of their shops? The TVL licence "agents" are also employees of a private company so have exactly the same rights.

    Finally, it is proven that BBC/TVL do not properly vet their staff. They employ known rapists (example), people convicted of assault, including 11 "agents" who have committed violent crimes as part of their employment (source BBC FOI request).
  • Buzby wrote: »
    With the capability to receive, you remain at risk

    There is NO risk. It is NOT an offence to own a television without a licence.

    The TVL website is quite clear: "You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast."

    To use phrases like: "nonsense spouted .........simply parroting the line" really is pedantry to the nth degree - and it is a very old "chestnut" too.


    Let us see what the Communications Act 2003 actually says about a TV licence:

    Part 4: Para 363

    (1) A television receiver must not be installed or used unless the installation and use of the receiver is authorised by a licence under this Part.

    Para 368
    (3)
    References in this Part to using a television receiver are references to using it for receiving television programmes.


    The first para says that the TV must not be installed AND used without a licence. The wording is rather convoluted, possibly giving the (incorrect) impression that a licence is needed to just "install" a television. The best way to understand what it means legally is to leave out "or used" from the first part of this paragraph - this does then say that you need a licence to install a television - BUT only if you intend to install and use it.

    The second para says that the term "using" refers to the receiving of television programmes. Therefore a licence is not required to watch tapes, DVDs, iPlayer etc, etc, etc or even to use a TV as a flower pot stand..............
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 14,440 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Zakalwe wrote: »
    So I cancelled my licence online. Now I'm getting the expected threatening letters telling me that I'm now under investigation.

    When you cancelled the licence, did you also fill in the declaration that you don't need one ? In my experience, doing this means that they leave you alone - you may get a letter every few years asking you if your situation is unchanged and if so to renew the declaration

    https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/no-licence-needed/

    It's only when there is a property that has neither a licence or a declaration that one isn't needed on file that triggers the threatening letters
  • Zakalwe
    Zakalwe Posts: 210 Forumite
    closed wrote: »
    so much time and hot air is wasted on this trivial subject, if you watch live tv, pay up, if you don't, don't and fill in the form

    https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/nln/index.aspx

    Thanks for that - I've filled in the form.

    At the end of the day, I don't watch live TV and haven't for years, as I find torrents and catch-up more convenient for the few programs I like. I don't have anything to hide, but object to being expected to let people without legal authority into my flat just to satisfy their curiosity.

    If anyone turns up I'll just decline to answer their questions or let them in.

    Thanks again for the advise.
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