TV license, empty house, do we tell them?

BlueSkiesandClouds

Hi everyone

There is a house in the family that has been inherited and is currently in the process of being completely refurbished (won't be complete until into next year sometime).

We've just found a letter from TV licensing addressed to the "present occupier" and the address printed on it (hidden under some dust sheets, not sure how long it was there, the letter is dated November 2015).

Now from my reading around I can gather:
The property is on their database as unlicensed (it used to be licensed when it was lived in)
They don't know who currently owns the property

*edit* I should note that the property will be licensed when someone is living in it again!

They want us to license the property before 9th December.

Obviously we don't need to as no-one lives there at the moment (the downstairs is a mass of plaster dust and wall tiles are currently living in the bath ).

Seems clear cut, but...

1. I don't want to tell a random company that the property is unoccupied, if nothing else, that's a security risk.

2. I don't want to contact them and give a name as they then have someone to 'chase' should wires be crossed.


At the same time the person who owns the house will be having kittens if they think it's not all sorted and above board, but they have left me to sort it out.

The purpose of this post is to just try and gauge what is the 'best' thing to do in this situation...ignore the letter and risk random strangers poking around the property, or tell a company that there is a property unoccupied, neither seems like a good option.

I should add, the house owner is of the older generation, not well informed as who TVL are and the rights, or lack of, they have (as many people aren't), and wouldn't want to tell them to jog on if they visited wanting access to poke about.


Any advice as to the best course of action in this instance would be much appreciated!


Thanks.

Mojisola

You don't have to say that the house is unoccupied. Just say that there isn't a TV on the property so there's no need for a licence.

Use the property address if you want to give them a return address.

lisa110rry

Yup. Company has a flat which is used for meetings but not "occupied" in the sense of being someone's home. There is no television and no broadband and no one in the flat streams live TV (which is the criterion for the need for a licence) so just write and let them know. You will have to give a name though.

Mojisola

BlueSkiesandClouds wrote: »

At the same time the person who owns the house will be having kittens if they think it's not all sorted and above board, but they have left me to sort it out.

lisa110rry wrote: »

You will have to give a name though.

You could use the owner's name and sign it "pp" and a squiggle as a signature if you don't want to use your name.

elsien

I can't see that telling the TV licence people is any more of a risk than passersby walking/driving past and noticing it's unoccupied. It's not some random dodgy company, after all.
You'll have to tell them something or they'll keep writing.

Heinz

elsien wrote: »

It's not some random dodgy company, after all.

I think many would disagree with that sentence.

Capita personnel have been accused of fraudulently completing paperwork after leaving a premise to enable a prosecution and ensure they get their commission.

MadMat

I'd be very interested to know which Act of Parliament says that you have to notify *anyone* that you don't need a TV licence.

Personally, if there is no TV and no need for a licence I'd file the letter in the round file.

Mojisola

BlueSkiesandClouds wrote: »

At the same time the person who owns the house will be having kittens if they think it's not all sorted and above board, but they have left me to sort it out.

MadMat wrote: »

Personally, if there is no TV and no need for a licence I'd file the letter in the round file.

But BlueSkies knows the property owner wouldn't be happy with this.

Swipe

Just ignore the letters, you are breaking no law. There is no obligation to notify them. I've been ignoring their letters for the last 4 years

Cornucopia

MadMat wrote: »

I'd be very interested to know which Act of Parliament says that you have to notify *anyone* that you don't need a TV licence.

You're right - there is no such legislation. It doesn't stop them from asking though. And they have a reputation (amongst other things) for being economical with the truth - for example implying that you do have to give them information and/or access to the property.

Personally, if there is no TV and no need for a licence I'd file the letter in the round file.

Yes. Me too.

But also there is very little risk in giving TVL the info they are seeking. You can use a fake name for complete protection (it is not an offence to do so).

BlueSkiesandClouds

Wow, so many responses, and so quickly! Thank you everyone!

Yes, this is the crux of the matter, should I suggest ignoring them until the property has a move into it, which will be in the upcoming months.

I'm tempted to leave it, especially reading these responses and the fact that the letter isn't addressed to anyone, can't enforce anything if there is name to enforce it against.

I don't think going down the route of giving a false name etc., would be a good idea as that is wilful deceit as opposed to just not responding.