TV Licensing in Houseshares

Rosemary7391

Swipe wrote: »

Stop scaremongering. There were only 115 search warrants in the whole of the UK in a recent 13 month period. They already think everyone who doesn't have a licence is a liar, so absolutely no downside to just saying 'not today thanks' and closing the door on them.

Assuming they even get to your door... I've never seen them!

Cornucopia

falcieri wrote: »

The MSE section on the TV license states:

'TV Licensing treats everyone who does not have a licence, for perfectly legal reasons or otherwise, as a criminal.'

and

'TV Licensing seem to turn the basic premise of English (and Scottish!) Law on its head, by saying that you are guilty until you prove your innocence.'

I can't imagine MSE officially saying anything like that. Could you provide a link?

So even though they cannot force you to prove you are not watching it, if you refuse to they can presume it's because you are guilty. So how does that work then? Is it simply a continual spiral of angry letters. Refusing them entry is your prerogative but they are going to react badly I suspect.

I'm afraid that your line of thinking and your interpretation of the TVL website are somewhat wide of the truth of the situation. (Though TVL are known for their capability with misinformation, so it's not entirely your fault).

The fact is that the offence is one of watching/recording TV broadcasts (and from 1 September, iPlayer). There is no direct offence connected with possession of equipment.

Fact #2 is that the majority of TVL prosecutions arise from householders giving a confession statement (that is taken by fair means and foul by roving TVL salespeople).

Fact #3, as others have already stated is that there is no obligation to speak with aforementioned TVL salespeople or let them into your home. In fact, that non-obligation is multi-layered in law and covers multiple aspects of their procedure.

AFAIK, the rules as they pertain to shared households have not changed/will not change on 1 Sep. Having said that, this is the second discussion I have seen online saying the opposite.

The big picture is that BBC/TVL's compliance with PACE and the Human Rights Act (Right to Privacy) is dubious. They have also refused to state the remit of TV Licensing and are currently dragging their feet in explaining their previous claim that their activities are consensual - which is a problem because they themselves claim consent as their exemption to the Right to Privacy.

Against all of that background baggage, I would strongly recommend not having anything to do with them. Certainly anyone being asked questions about their TV viewing habits needs to refuse to comment, using terms like "Right to Silence", "Right to Counsel" and "No Comment". You should never sign any of their documentation and avoid giving or confirming your name.

Kim_13

Is this a new rule? When I was in student accommodation, (so separate tenancy agreements) every room had to have a separate licence or declare that they didn't need one. Those wanting to watch live TV couldn't just club together to pay for one licence.

Cornucopia

Kim_13 wrote: »

Is this a new rule? When I was in student accommodation, (so separate tenancy agreements) every room had to have a separate licence or declare that they didn't need one. Those wanting to watch live TV couldn't just club together to pay for one licence.

It depends on what kind of accommodation it is. It has always been possible for students to have a single communal TV and pay one Licence for it, as long as they don't have individual TVs or other receiving equipment for their own rooms.

Lazarus_Blackstar

I find this bit rather strange, taken from the TV license website:

"However, there may be other reasons why you need your own separate licence, such as whether or not you have exclusive access to a toilet or washing facilities."

What has that got to do with watching TV?!!!!!

Mojisola

Lazarus_Blackstar wrote: »

I find this bit rather strange, taken from the TV license website:

"However, there may be other reasons why you need your own separate licence, such as whether or not you have exclusive access to a toilet or washing facilities."

Because it could mean that you are a tenant rather than a lodger. A tenant would need a separate licence.