TV license, empty house, do we tell them?

Mojisola

BlueSkiesandClouds wrote: »

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.

Why give them a false name? You know who the owner of the property is - and anyone else can find out through the Land Registry - so use that person's name. You are acting on their behalf so you can write the letter and sign using 'pp' to show that.

Heinz

BlueSkiesandClouds wrote: »

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 (no) name to enforce it against.

Enforce what? Nobody lives there so there's nobody watching or recording live TV. End of story.

Just recycle their letters, they're just wasting the money of those who do pay the licence fee by sending them.

Cornucopia

Mojisola wrote: »

Why give them a false name?

Because there have been cases where TV Licensing operatives (admittedly rogue ones) have (a) sat in the cafe making up prosecution statements based on the names on their visiting lists, and (b) misused the name data to intimidate householders and then to falsify or exaggerate prosecution statements.

The cases concerned can be very distressing, and sometimes difficult to get withdrawn.

The risk is small, but if you are looking for complete protection, a false name is advised. It's not against the law to do it, not least because almost all of TV Licensing's procedures are whim, not legislation.

brewerdave

I wrote to TVL recently to inform them of my mother's death -no monies involved in the cancellation, as she had an over 75s license.I also informed them that the TV had been removed and the flat would be empty til the end of her tenancy.
When we went to do the final clearout of her Housing Association property and hand the keys back, only 4 weeks later, we found a letter from TVL on the mat, addressed to the Occupier, threatening investigations would be undertaken if a license wasn't purchased by 1st December !!:mad:
TVL (Crapita) really are a bunch of b********ds!!

NeverInDebt

I wont tell those bunch of muppets Capita anything. Don't do there job for them they rely on threats and intimidation there the modern day equivalent of highway robber !!ck Turpin.

silverwhistle

When I moved into my house I went online to tell them I didn't need a licence (there were various letters on the mat). They wanted name as well as email and/or phone number, so rather than give either I thought 'sod it' and gave them nothing. No danger of junk mail with my name on it but easily ignored 'The Occupier' rubbish, and no danger of annoying phone calls. Their constant, repetitive and rather threatening letters since, many of which seem to assume I don't have any money, have not encouraged me to change my mind.

HWW

No communication with TVL Capita, is the way to go - providing you are not watching or recording Live TV at the address, no law is being broken - bin the junk mail, problem solved.