TV Licensing

jamie304

I used to get those a lot. Eventually they sent a man round:

"Hi there we notice you don't have a TV licence. Do you have a TV?"

"No"

"Ah right, could I just pop in and have a look"

"No"

"Right. Ok then."

Since then I haven't had a letter or visit in two years!

Remember, a lot of people think you need a licence for having a DVD player or using a TV to play XBOX etc.. However you only need one if you use, or intened to use, equipment to receive broadcast television programs.

rosieben

The property I'm now renting was empty for nearly 5 years whilst it was renovated. The owner told tvla that the property had been gutted and would be empty until the work was finished but he got a sh#tty letter every few weeks. Each time a letter came he would ring tvla and explain and they would say thank you, thats fine... then the next letter would turn up and he'd ring them and ..... etc....

He finally got fed up after about the fourth letter and just ignored them. 2 years after I had moved in (and 2 years after I had bought a tv licence for this property!!) I was still getting letters from the tvla addressed to the owner; we havent had one for a while though..... fingers crossed!

Timmne

Just send the letters back as unsolicited - that might work!

I'm thinking about not having a licence now, although I listen to radio 1 all day and really enjoy the lack of adverts, despite Edith Bowman's presence....

superscaper

jamie304 wrote: »

using a TV to play XBOX etc.. However you only need one if you use, or intened to use, equipment to receive broadcast television programs.

From TVLA:

What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence?

You need to notify us in writing that this is the case and one of our Enforcement Officers may need to visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence.

valiant

superscaper wrote: »

You need to notify us in writing that this is the case..........

More direct lies from TVL. You DO NOT need to notify them of ANYTHING. There is no law requiring you to enter into any communication with TVL (Capita) whatsoever. Unfortunately, neither is there a law preventing them from pretending that you do.

But then again their whole business model is based on trying to mislead people in their letters with pseudo-legal nonsense in a effort to get them to comply with an unenforceable tax.

The irony is that, far from being honest or moral, people who cooperate with TVL (including those stupid enough to pay the tax) are actually helping to perpetuate this kind of dishonesty. Ignore them completely and do as I do.......send £135.50 each year to your favourite charity.

goshdarnit

I personnal think the licence should be scrapped, and it should be paid for from the huge amounts of money we already pay in tax each year.
Then they'd be no need for the vast amount of beaurocracy, the computer centres, 'enforcement' officers, letters, telephone operators, call costs, office costs, IT costs, and huge profits for capita that we ALL pay for.
Hundreds of thousands of Europeans already get from BBC, ITV and C5 through Sky in Europe, including ex-pats, and we're all paying for this.
Current programme choice on TV is so appalling anyways I'm not renewing my licence in 2 months time. I'd rather watched streamed stuffed from the states (which is where half the garbage on tv comes from anyways).

superscaper

valiant wrote: »

More direct lies from TVL. You DO NOT need to notify them of ANYTHING. There is no law requiring you to enter into any communication with TVL (Capita) whatsoever. Unfortunately, neither is there a law preventing them from pretending that you do.

I don't doubt it isn't a legal requirement, it'll just be so they can amend their database to stop sending you letters and they're not likely to just take your word on it (cynical mode: to flag up "keep a close eye on this one").

missile

It seems they catch most offenders when they buy a TV, apparently your details get forwarded to the TVLA. I got a visit from them. All official and threatening, "we have right of access and demand to see your TV receiving equipment". They were less than happy when I produced a license. Did I get an appology, don't be silly!

rosieben

I pay my tv by instalment card at paypoint. I usually pay well ahead but I got a really unpleasant letter when I was a few days late making a payment - I was £4.50 in arrears, must have cost them that to send the letter!

I wouldnt bother notifying tvla of anything because they're incapable of acting correctly on any information they're given - see my previous post. Their only strength seems to be sending out threats! :rotfl:

goshdarnit

missile wrote: »

I got a visit from them. All official and threatening, "we have right of access and demand to see your TV receiving equipment".

They don't have ANY right of access.

superscaper wrote: »

it'll just be so they can amend their database to stop sending you letters

Letters are sent to EVERY address without a TV licence, whether you inform them or not. You could inform them tomorrow, move out the next day, and then the next occupant won't get a letter, I don't think so.
The assumption is ALL addresses have a tv, and ALL addresses must therefore need a tv licence.