TV License Question

Mishomeister

The situation is:

I live in the flatshare with there being 3 of us in the house. Our Landlady has recently cancelled a TV License. They are now sending their threatening letters saying the investigation has began.

Now, I don't have a TV, one of my flatmates does the other I don't know as we don't talk to each other.

My question is:
If the Inspector from the company appointed by TV license ring the door, what my right are?

1. Am I allowed not to let him in at all as firstly I don't want some random bloke wandering around my house, so am IO allowed just simple to refuse him to enter our place?

2. If he asks me for my Name, D.O.B. etc am I allowed not to disclose those to him?

3. What are the possible consequences of not disclosing the above details to that Inspector?

4. Can I face any consequences if my flatmates do not pay a license fee for the TVs in their rooms?

The reason for the above queries is that a good friend of mine was tricked in to signing some form handed by inspector to what he said to confirm his visit. I fact this was a form to conform that she has a TV which she doesn't. She has now ended up with the criminal record for a TV license avoidance(The Magistrates Decided on the balance of probabilities that TV license guy is wright and my friend is a criminal) effecting her for the rest of her life hence the CRB checks are done by the most reputable employers.

I am therefore extremely reluctant to disclose any info about me to TV license people or even to let them in.

halibut2209

You do not have to disclose anything. You do not have to say anything. You do not have to allow access. And the number one rule (as you know!)...

DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING

These people are known to blatantly lie to people (ie Sign here to say we've been, whereas you are actually signing a "confession")

CC-Warrior

As above, you are not obliged to say anything.
I have no contact with them, don't engage them in conversation, as all they'll do is try to intimidate or trick you.

spacey2012

They call round, take a name as it has to be attached to an actual person, then give you a load of lies and ask you to sign this little form just to say they have been.
The little form is a TVL 178 and once signed, you or anyone else who signs a TVL178 will be found guilty at magistrates, it makes no difference if you had no TV or watching, you give a name and sign = you will be found guilty.

You have a right to silence, they are only civilians from a private company and you are free to close the door without giving any details, even if they have names, it has to be confirmed, shut the door, lock it and ignore them.
Google TV licence Goons to see how this works in practice.

Filming the goon gets rid of them as well.

Smithers37

Ignore these scammers. They have no more right to make you pay than I do. Treat them as you would treat someone knocking on your door to sell you drugs; firmly tell them you're not interested.

Hintza

Smithers37 wrote: »

Treat them as you would treat someone knocking on your door to sell you drugs

Crikey I have never had anyone at the door selling drugs! :eek:

dairy_lee

We are being pursued by TV licensing too. We have had countless threatening letters. Most are deliberately designed to put the fear of god into you e.g. titled 'Your Rights in Court' etc I'm not too concerned as would love to see how they were gonna take me to court if they don't even know my name, not sure they'd get away with addressing me as The Occupier throughout the case!

We have had them call round a few times, but i just tell them we don't watch TV as its being broadcast (true). They generally try and get my name, which i refuse to give. Or ask to come in to check, which i also refuse. They usually ask why, and i tell them i don't have to and i'm closing the door now.

I had one canny guy, say to me "Mrs Williams?" (name of previous owner), I said 'No'. 'Oh. What is your name?" he asked. "Sorry, who are you?" He then had to show me his ID, which he had placed out of sight. He also went on to ask if he could come in as it was raining so hard out. It was really peeing down, but i still refused. Never give them any info, never let them in your house/flat.

unholyangel

dairy_lee wrote: »

We are being pursued by TV licensing too. We have had countless threatening letters. Most are deliberately designed to put the fear of god into you e.g. titled 'Your Rights in Court' etc I'm not too concerned as would love to see how they were gonna take me to court if they don't even know my name, not sure they'd get away with addressing me as The Occupier throughout the case!

We have had them call round a few times, but i just tell them we don't watch TV as its being broadcast (true). They generally try and get my name, which i refuse to give. Or ask to come in to check, which i also refuse. They usually ask why, and i tell them i don't have to and i'm closing the door now.

I had one canny guy, say to me "Mrs Williams?" (name of previous owner), I said 'No'. 'Oh. What is your name?" he asked. "Sorry, who are you?" He then had to show me his ID, which he had placed out of sight. He also went on to ask if he could come in as it was raining so hard out. It was really peeing down, but i still refused. Never give them any info, never let them in your house/flat.

I think thats the bit most people dont know. That they have no more right to enter your property than you or I (or any random joe bloggs). They dont seem to understand that there are people who don't watch live tv (usually because its utter crap).

For me, its just a waste of money. Why would you pay £12 a month for tv programmes chosen by someone else when you can pay £5/6 a month for lovefilm or netflix (can also pay an additional $5 - about £3-4 - for a dns service so you get access to netflix from all across the world) or wait a few hours and watch the programmes for free on their on demand services. For £12 a month I'd rather have adverts, thanks.

They need to rethink their business. They're no longer providing value for money since there are cheaper alternatives. And I'm going to stop there before I go off on a tangent.

mikb

TV Licensing are naughty boys, and BBC end up picking up the tab.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2553496/BBC-pays-100-000-compensation-people-bullied-TV-licence-collectors-Corporation-500-goodwill-payments-past-five-years.html

Have you been wrongly threatened into buying a TV licence? At Claims 4 U, we can help you get the compensation you deserve

halibut2209

Whilst you may be right, never ever link to a Daily Mail article. Credibility goes down the toilet.

stevenhp1987

I don't watch TV...

I filled in this form (declaration of not watching TV / using for games/catch-up only).

Since said declaration 2 1/2 years ago, I've not had a single letter from them, let alone a house call.