TV Licensing!

Gingernutmeg

Thanks for that maninthestreet, that's a REALLY useful tip - I'll warn my partner about that too.

vikingaero

Gingernutmeg,

That sounds like a really frightening experience for you. You really need to grab the bull by the horns.

Send them a letter stating:
(1) that you have no TV or any equipment capable of receiving TV transmissions.
(2) You will charge them for further letters.
(3) You withdraw implied consent for them to visit but you will allow them one visit made by prior appointment to check out your property. If they visit outside this appointed time then call the Police.
(4) Tell them that the letters and the visit by the TV Officer was intimidating and harassment and you will seek an injunction and damages if they persist.

Remember:

Don't even bother reading anything that they try and get you to sign - just don't sign it.

They have no right of entry no matter what they say. It's your doorstep, take control of it and don't let them in. "Can we discuss this inside?" "NO!" "Can I use your toilet?" "NO!"

They cannot demand any identification so just give them a realistic false name if you aren't happy about giving your own name out.

FTB83

I'm seriously shocked at this. To me (perhaps in my ignorance, although a look at the website confirms my understanding), the TV Licence agency represent the BBC - a supposedly reputable, fair, unbiased organisation. I just didn't expect that the agency would act in such a way that would present an underhand, inefficient and down right incompetant service - and also employ such people who would treat you in the way they have. To me this sounds unforgivable.

So what if you don't have a television - I know many people who prefer to spend their time doing other things rather than watching TV - it's seriously not unheard of and the licensing agency should know this!

Stick to your guns - hopefully they'll give up and leave you alone. And best of luck with your studies!

maninthestreet

Here is the other thread concerning a visit from the TVLA EO - read the letter from the TVLA about the standards they expect their EO's to maintain - the EO that visited you has landed himself in serious trouble:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=441322&page=3

Fruitcake

Gingernutmeg,
If I had an experience like yours concerning the letter delivery I would report it to the police. You said yourself you were frightened and intimidated so an offence has probably been committed, the police can decide which one.
If it happens again, don't touch the letter but pick it up with tweezers and put it in a clean plastic wallet or bag then give it to the police for fingerprinting. Alternatively you could dial 999 and in your best "I'm terrified" voice say that someone is trying to break in. The operator will hear the banging on the door and it will also be recorded.

Fruitcake

You Only Listen To Me When I'm Wrong

moonrakerz

The bottom line with these so called "officers" from the TVLA is that they have NO authority whatsoever.

You do not have to speak to them at all - not one word.

If one turns up on your door step, tell him that you are removing his "implied right of access" and TELL him to leave your property !

Ignore any letters you get from these people. If you are not "watching or recording live television" you do not need a licence, regardless of how many TVs you may have in the house !
They have to PROVE that you are watching TV without a licence - this is nigh on impossible.

vikingaero

moonrakerz wrote: »

They have to PROVE that you are watching TV without a licence - this is nigh on impossible.

If they visit and see you watching TV through the living room window then you're bang to rights. But there's nothing stopping you giving false details and they can't demand id.:rolleyes:

moonrakerz

vikingaero wrote: »

If they visit and see you watching TV through the living room window then you're bang to rights. But there's nothing stopping you giving false details and they can't demand id.:rolleyes:

If they are on your property illegally the evidence is no good.(draw the curtains !)

You don't have to speak to them anyway !

nej

You don't need a licence. They have no rights to enter the building, unless they have a court order and are accompanied by police.

Just turn it all around and have a good laugh at the pathetic letters. If they turn up again, laugh at them, tell them that there is no way in hell you are opening the door and that if they don't p**s off right now you'll call the police and have them done for harrasment.

Enjoy the experience!

Lakeuk

As others have said, ignore the letters they're automated, if you were able to persuade them to stop sending the letters then they'd only stop for upto 12mths and then the cycle starts again so just ignore them you've not doing anything wrong or breaking any laws.

Don't let anyone enter your property without the appropiate warrants, don't answer any questions any TVL inspector may ask their authority for replies are the same as joe public (nothing), if it goes as far as the warrant (which it won't) they may make statements to you after finding 'no' TV that you could of save all the hassle if you'd declared that you didn't have a tv, just reply they you're under no obligation to do this and past experience of this surgestion has demostrated that it's a waste of my time as you're still getting harrassed.

Corrspondance cycle:-
http://www.bbctvlicence.com/

The following forum has interesting posts on the process TVL follow (ignoring the posts against the license fee)
http://www.tvlicensing.biz/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3