TV licence and second home

Abbafan1972

What difference does it make how the TV is powered?

How long has this been in force? What about in caravans? We used to have a caravan and used a mains TV there, on the understanding that we were covered, as we weren't at our main residence.

So everyone else on the caravan site was probably flouting the law!

Ok, I've just checked the TV licencing website as this sounds confusing!

You don’t need a separate TV Licence for
Any device powered solely by its own internal batteries (i.e. it is not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains). Your main home’s TV Licence will cover this.
Boats, touring caravans or vehicles as they’re already covered by your main home’s TV Licence.
Static caravans, mobile homes or moveable chalets. Your main home’s TV Licence will cover you provided you don’t watch TV in both homes at the same time. In this case you would need to complete a declaration form.

Cardew

We are going off track. My question was about using a laptop/Ipad and watching TV on that device in a holiday home without a TV licence.


The answer(unbelievably) is that as long as they are powered by their battery you are legal. Connect that device to the mains(which only charges the battery) whilst watching TV and you are not legal.


I wonder who is committing the offence in the latter instance, the holiday home owner(who was not at the address) or myself?

teddysmum

Many years ago,your licence only covered a battery-run tv away from home (we bought one for our boat) and battery -run tvs remain covered.


The extension, now is to mains tvs ,too, provided that there is not someone at home watching tv, ie 'using the licence at other premises at the same time.


Your licence should cover your laptop, provided there is no one back home using tv,though it appears you should inform the authorities of this usage.


If any offence is being committed I would think it was on your part as the owner of the holiday property did not provide the equipment.

Cardew

teddysmum wrote: »

The extension, now is to mains tvs ,too, provided that there is not someone at home watching tv, ie 'using the licence at other premises at the same time.


Your licence should cover your laptop, provided there is no one back home using tv,though it appears you should inform the authorities of this usage.


If any offence is being committed I would think it was on your part as the owner of the holiday property did not provide the equipment.

With respect IMO you are getting mixed up.


This difficult to read document http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/Live-TV-and-how-you-watch-it specifically allows you to watch TV on a laptop/tablet as long as that device is not connected to the mains. There is no restriction applying to use of TV at home at the same time.


That restriction(watching TV at home at the same time) applies to watching TV(not just on a laptop/tablet) when in 'Boats, touring caravans or vehicles as they’re already covered by your main home’s TV Licence. Static caravans, mobile homes or moveable chalets.' See the quote in post#12 above. i.e. you can watch a proper mains connected TV.


As for committing an offence, should you invite me to stay at your house, either as a friend, lodger, Bed and Breakfast, and I connect my laptop to the mains, how do I know if you have a TV licence?

pogofish

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

Most regulations are difficult to enforce. If people are inclined to cheat and steal probably get away with most things.
Have to go with your own moral code.

The bush telegraph is good enough in most highland communities that everyone soon knows when the Capita/TVL stooges are in the area.

And many highland communities have had to put-up with years of paying license fees for decidedly sub-standard broadcast quality, so the desire to be cut a bit of slack is not IMO unreasonable.

System

When you are staying at the property is there anyone still in your home ? My OH is a HGV driver and years ago had a few nights out a week , when he wanted to buy a small tv we were told he would need a separate licence as we would be at home .