Had a Visit from TV Licence Man

NewerNewbie

Had a visit from a TV Licence man very recently.
He seemed pretty nice.
I don't have a TV licence as I watch programmes after they've been broadcast, although I do admit I have watched the odd programme live, but the cable is usually in a box full of other cables upstairs.
TV man asked if I watched TV as it was being broadcast.
I said no, my TV was connected to my computer because it is.
He asked if he could come in to check.
I said "no" because I was busy cleaning out my fish. But I did invite him back when I was less busy.
He accepted my answer, typed on his handheld computer and went away.
What will happen now?
How long do you think it will be before he returns with a warrant?
He asked for me when he knocked on the door. If he has a warrant and my girlfriend is home, can she refuse access if I am not home?

macman

NewerNewbie wrote: »

Had a visit from a TV Licence man very recently.
He seemed pretty nice.
I don't have a TV licence as I watch programmes after they've been broadcast, although I do admit I have watched the odd programme live, but the cable is usually in a box full of other cables upstairs.
TV man asked if I watched TV as it was being broadcast.
I said no, my TV was connected to my computer because it is.
He asked if he could come in to check.
I said "no" because I was busy cleaning out my fish. But I did invite him back when I was less busy.
He accepted my answer, typed on his handheld computer and went away.
What will happen now?
How long do you think it will be before he returns with a warrant?
He asked for me when he knocked on the door. If he has a warrant and my girlfriend is home, can she refuse access if I am not home?

I believe that's known as 'bang to rights' then. You need a TV licence.

Buzby

The warrant is for the premises, not e person - so she will have to comply with it. If your TV can receive live broadcasts you will be pursued - as you have the capability and equipment to view. It will then be up to the judge to listen to your story and decide whether he believes your protestations of innocence.

In view of your earlier comment, I'd get one as it will be cheaper Han a fine.

NewerNewbie

The TV is tuned in to watch live TV and I did have the cable out of the loft watching britain's talent as a friend of mine was there in the studio.
I did not disclose this to the tv man, I just said I was busy and now was not a good time.
But surely he suspects I was watching tv live?
I know he walked past the house at least once.
I thought he was a meter reading man from the gas company when i saw him pass.
Anyway it just so happens I was watching britains talent while cleaning the fish tank right when he came round.
He wouldn't have been able to see what I was watching through the window.
So will he now get a search warrant and come back in the next few days?
I don't really want to purchase a licence as I won't be watching any more live TV.
But then how can he prove I am watching live TV through the internet and how can I prove that I am not?

Just noticed it says this on the tv licence website:

"Our officers may visit the licensed place at any time to check that our records are correct and inspect TV equipment. However, you don’t have to let them into your home or business."

and

"You do not need a TV Licence if you only use your TV to watch videos and DVDs or as a monitor for your games console. If this is the case, please complete the online declaration form to tell us that you don't need a TV Licence. One of our Enforcement Officers may visit you to confirm your situation."

So does that mean they came to check and they will come back but I don't need to let them in (again)?
I filled in an online declaration.
While I don't mind, I would prefer not to have the hassle unless they left me alone for a few years.

SnowTiger

NewerNewbie wrote: »

Anyway it just so happens I was watching britains talent while cleaning the fish tank right when he came round.

Earlier you wrote "I do admit I have watched the odd programme live".

Sounds like you watch more (live) TV than you admit, at least to yourself.

Ah, just noticed you mention "odd" and "Britain's Got Talent", so point taken.

Marker_2

So you turned the TV Licence man away because you were busy watching Britains got talent live on the tele that your not supposed to have because your not paying for it?

Hopefully you will get charged and pay a fine for lying. TV Licence don't care whether your friend was in the BGT studio. That is not a waiver I'm afraid.

Cornucopia

If you need a licence please get one, or make sure that you only ever watch catch-up.

It's no more difficult than that.

Just because TVL lack powers, it doesn't make it right to break the law.

esuhl

NewerNewbie wrote: »

But then how can he prove I am watching live TV through the internet...

If he had reasonable suspicion and the crime is considered serious enough (I'm not sure whether this is or not), he could get permission (a court order?) to obtain information from your ISP which would show which IP addresses you had visited. The data transmission rates would presumably show a large amount of data consistent with streamed video from the relevant website.

NewerNewbie wrote: »

... and how can I prove that I am not?

How can you prove that you are not doing something that you are doing? You can't. That would be impossible!

If you're not doing it, you don't need to prove it. You're innocent until proven guilty.

EKEA

Do TVL regularly get court orders to enter properties?

Cornucopia

Short answer: No.

brewerdave

esuhl wrote: »

If he had reasonable suspicion and the crime is considered serious enough (I'm not sure whether this is or not), he could get permission (a court order?) to obtain information from your ISP which would show which IP addresses you had visited. The data transmission rates would presumably show a large amount of data consistent with streamed video from the relevant website.

...this is EXTREMELY unlikely - it would cost far more to do this for a single customer than they are ever going to gain - and look at how attempts by some "rights holders" to pursue multiple supposed downloaders have ended up -remember ACS Law and their ill fated attempt to use IP addys as a basis for prosecution??
How many million visits to BBC websites are there per day?:)