TV licence ending dont want to renew

sacha28

spacey2012 wrote: »

Well at least you learnt what can go wrong of you do things random strangers who come to your door "say you have to".

I agree, I am an idiot. He had a badge lol!:rotfl:

Cornucopia

sacha28 wrote: »

cornucopia I didn't have a laptop as I had sold it and I don't have a phone with internet access (I still don't have a laptop or phone with internet access!). I had also cancelled my sky subscription so there wasn't even the possibility I could be using something else.

If the TVL person was told all of that, and he still insisted that a licence was required, then he was lying (or at best operating with scant regard for the law).

Depending on how long ago this was, it might be worth complaining to the BBC about his conduct in the hope that he is prevented from doing it to other people.

sacha28

Cornucopia wrote: »

You were tried in your absence due to an error on the part of TVL, the Court or the Post Office.

You could have made a Statutory Declaration within 21 days, saying that you never received the summons. That would have led to the case being re-opened and re-tried.

Bloody hell, feel like I've been reeeaalllyy stoopid!! Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Now I'm going to cry in the corner!

virtuallyfree

I did not have a TV or internet for two years 2009-2011.
They used to send me letters regularly. Asking whether i was sure!
They make you feel really odd for not needing these things. I used to read.
You just have to tell them.
BTW watching online catch up requires a Tv license.

Cornucopia

sacha28 wrote: »

Bloody hell, feel like I've been reeeaalllyy stoopid!! Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Now I'm going to cry in the corner!

What was the fine? Sorry to pile on the agony, but you may have been doubly penalised for not completing and returning a Means Assessment form.

To get back slightly to the theme of the thread - knowledge is power, and TVL have proven themselves unworthy of the public's trust.

sacha28

Cornucopia wrote: »

If the TVL person was told all of that, and he still insisted that a licence was required, then he was lying (or at best operating with scant regard for the law).

Depending on how long ago this was, it might be worth complaining to the BBC about his conduct in the hope that he is prevented from doing it to other people.

Oh yes, he was told. He never asked about internet access, just asked if I had a pc, which I did. The pc was useless, we didn't have bb, so was used to store photo's of my then baby (he's getting on a bit now and is classed as a toddler ) He said I have a pc so was still required to have a tvl. He told me I could be arrested if I refused to sign the form. I'm feeling a bit of !!!!!! right now, and £300 worse off :eek:

If I remember rightly the wording was 'non-payment of tv license' or something to that effect.

Cornucopia

virtuallyfree wrote: »

BTW watching online catch up requires a Tv license.

Err... no.

TVL wrote:

You don't need a licence if you don't ... 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.

Cornucopia

sacha28 wrote: »

He told me I could be arrested if I refused to sign the form.

Outrageous lie.

I'm feeling a bit of !!!!!! right now, and £300 worse off :eek:

Sounds like you were fined more than normal - £300 is about the rate for either a multiple repeat offender, or someone on an above-average salary, working full time. If you were neither of those, I think you were penalised for not returning the Means Form (that you never received).

I'd be tempted to make a claim in the Small Claims Court against the BBC - although the Court process failed, too, it was their staff member's deception that led to you being prosecuted in the first place.

IANAL, so I don't know for sure if it is feasible - but it would be a great test case.

sacha28

I am neither a repeat offender nor a high earner, at the time I was on maternity leave. When he came to my door it was June last year and my son was 12 weeks old, I answered the door with him in my arms, possibly part of the reason I swallowed his lies as I just wanted to get him back indoors!

I think the £300 may have incorporated costs? I can't remember and I have since moved so the letter could be anywhere!! I really can't afford to pursue this, I'm barely keeping my head above water now without adding that to the mix

Cornucopia

Yes, the Court penalty is a Fine + Costs + Victims' Surcharge.

This would have been roughly: £200 + £80 + £20.

I appreciate what you say about tackling this. Getting justice after the event is never particularly straightforward.

Thanks for posting anyway.