no tv but being taken to court

Cornucopia

This is a scurrilous letter, which is likely to be a breach of the Malicious Communications Act (false information intended to alarm or distress).

I would urge anyone in receipt of it to do two things:-

1) Ignore it - it isn't worth the paper it's written on.

2) Complain about it - to the BBC, to your MP or to the Police.

Blue264

Don't worry. You're not alone in this.

I moved in December and moved my tv licence to my new address. I still own my other house and am having inprovements made to it before I decide whether to rent it or sell up. There's is no tv, computer or tv . internet provider to these premises.

I've had a few conversations with the tv licence people about these letters and have repeatedly been told to ignore them. I have asked that they stop sending them but have been advised this may not be possible.

[Deleted User]

Mojisola wrote: »

I've had to contact them about two different properties and my letters telling them that there wasn't a TV at either address was followed by a reply saying "tell us if that changes" with no follow-ups at all.

In what way did you HAVE to contact them :huh:

[Deleted User]

spacey2012 wrote: »

The Best way to avoid them getting this is to shut the door and ignore them.

Agreed.

Indeed, I don't open the door in the first place.

Mojisola

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

In what way did you HAVE to contact them :huh:

Turn of phrase - "I've had two occasions to contact them" if that makes you happy.

Cornucopia

It's tricky, isn't it?

We lack the necessary words to describe this situation where a public body (the BBC) is making mischief and abusing their very limited authority by trying to threaten and deceive people who it ought properly to be presuming innocent and treating with respect.

It's a shame that there does not seem to be a UK law under which public authorities are not permitted to make misleading statements about their authority. The reason being that a typical citizen is unlikely to investigate whether the claims are true or not, and the powers are therefore extended beyond what Parliament deemed appropriate.

Or perhaps it is treason?

[Deleted User]

ex-homelessdude2 wrote: »

I know the moment I phone up to explain I don't have any equipment they will need my name and then the hassle will get 10x worse.

So don't phone up.

You don't have to explain anything to them.

Simply ignore them, and put the letters in the recycling bin or, if you prefer, save them for posterior.

corf999

In my experience if you give them your details and tell them you don't require a licence, the letters stop.

In one of my previous places I answered the door and I got them to agree not to contact me for 2 years and they didnt.

They have always been reasonable to me and some times it is easier to deal with them than to let them keep looking for an occupier.

[Deleted User]

corf999 wrote: »

In my experience if you give them your details and tell them you don't require a licence, the letters stop.

Does it really matter, if the letters stop or continue?

Also, you may want to take a look at this, from the TV Licensing Website.

In all cases, we may need a couple of minutes of your time

As it is our duty to ensure that everyone in the UK who needs a licence has one, we may visit your address to check that no licence is required. It's unfortunately necessary to do this, as when we make contact on these visits, almost one in five people are found to need a TV Licence. Please be assured that this is a routine visit, and will take no more than a few minutes. If we find during the visit that you do in fact need a licence, you'll need to pay the full licence fee, and you could risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

EllenorR

Mojisola wrote: »

That's not been my experience. I've had to contact them about two different properties and my letters telling them that there wasn't a TV at either address was followed by a reply saying "tell us if that changes" with no follow-ups at all.

They may hold off for a few months, or couple of years tops (see post by corf999)

Eventually they start up again. When I asked why they said they had a responsibilty to check the situation hadn't changed, no new residents have moved in, etc.

What I would say is if you just ignore the letters (they tend to send 1 a month from a small range) then nothing happens.

Someone does call eventually it seems, but when no one answers the door either, they just leave a note too saying they'll call back if you don't contact them or buy a TV licence.

Well they do eventually call back ... but it could be years later ... and so the cycle continues. In the meantime the monthly letters continue.

It's good to discover what some of the licence fee money really gets spent on.