A Quick Question re TV and Licence

Arwen10

Hi everyone


I was reading on twitter today at work all about the BBC stuff but reading some of the posts I realised I probably don't need a TV licence anymore. To be honest, I never realised this until today!


I moved a few months ago and cancelled Sky at that time as I never watched it, and I am spending a lot of my time at my mums as she is not well. Sky was just a waste of money. I only use my TV now for playing on my Playstation and watching DVD boxsets. I genuinely don't watch live TV anymore.


But my question is - my TV has freeview automatically built in, does this complicate things?


Once I cancel with that form, I have no problem anyone coming to my home to check I am telling the truth because I am. But I can't physically remove the aerial from the property because it's a rented property, not my own.


Would de-tuning the TV and tying the aerial up be enough? I don't want to get in trouble but neither do I want to pay for something I don't need anymore.


Thanks!

Browntoa

the so called "inspectors" have no right of entry


just stipulate that you do not watch live TV if challenged, its up to THEM to prove otherwise


ps... you will get a stream of vaguely threatening letters from them but reply as above

Nilrem

Disconnect the aerial cable from the TV if you don't watch live TV (that way it can't turn on and accidentally start on a broadcast), and inform the TVL.

Xbigman

Browntoa wrote: »

the so called "inspectors" have no right of entry


just stipulate that you do not watch live TV if challenged, its up to THEM to prove otherwise


ps... you will get a stream of vaguely threatening letters from them but reply as above

Legally I agree but from a practical standpoint I don't. There is no harm taking a few extra steps to demonstrate compliance with the law.
Letting TV licensing know you don't need a licence anymore is perfectly reasonable and polite. They might be uncooperative scumbags but that doesn't mean I have to be.
Likewise I cut off my TV aerial to show without doubt that I don't use it anymore. If I really wanted to I could reconnect it in about 20 mins so that was no real hardship. In the OP's case (renting) I'd roll up the TV aerial tight and wrap an entire roll of insulation tape around it thus making it pretty clear its not in use (also detune the TV).
Whether or not you let them in is a personal choice, you certainly don't have to but there is also no law that say's you can't let them in if its convenient. What is clear however is DON'T SIGN ANYTHING.



Darren

HWW

Nilrem wrote: »

Disconnect the aerial cable from the TV if you don't watch live TV (that way it can't turn on and accidentally start on a broadcast), and inform the TVL.

There is in fact, nothing legally wrong with leaving a TV connected to an aerial or Dish - & using that TV to receive the Radio transmissions broadcast on Satellite & Freeview - Radio does NOT need a receiving licence in the UK!


Probably best not to get into any conversations with Goons about this, or ever contact TVL about anything - apart from if you are an existing "Customer" - informing TVL that you are no longer going to be a customer & make sure any direct debits are properly cancelled.


Never let to Goons enter your home, treat them as you would all cold callers (Not today, thank you) & shut the door. No TV on view through a window, showing EG: LBC radio on the screen - so no ammo in their gun, & carry on your "Legally licence free" life.

Cornucopia

I would always suggest disconnecting the aerial and detuning the TV. Having anything in the setup that can be misconstrued or misused for reception is a bad idea.

I'd also suggest never inviting TVL into your home. They have no legitimate purpose there, and there is no requirement to prove anything to them regarding your innocence.

Even on the TVL website (if you look closely enough) it tells you that admitting them is voluntary.

In terms of the law:-

- There is no requirement for them to enforce.
- There is no requirement for them to go door to door.
- There is no requirement to prove anything to them.
- There is no requirement to answer any of their questions.
- Their legal compliance with PACE is questionable.
- Their history of dubious prosecutions is lamentable.