Do I need to buy a license if I dont terrestrial TV?

silverwhistle

slhqoue wrote: »

We are getting constant, harassing emails about not having a TV license.

I've been on holiday so have missed the latest amusing situations regarding TV licencing. How did they get your email? When I went online to declare my lack of television when I moved into my house they wanted my name, email and/or phone number, all of which I'd rather not reveal. (I get very little spam.)

Back from holiday there was another letter on the mat, but I do wish they'd use recycled paper as I recycle them firther into my stove kindling basket. Occasionally I open them to see where I am in their cycle, but they're very repetitive..

EdwardB

You need to go to YouTube and type in

TV Licence goons

Then you will know what kind of people you are dealing with.

The sort that get a child home alone to let them in then when caught by parent start going through kit looking for a mistake so they can sell you their sheeet.

Some people on YT go too far but no tears spilt for the goons.

To answer your OP, do not engage them.

Do not answer door
Do not talk to them
Do nothing

Some say that if you Go to the NoTV link you just get them to put you higher on their list of targets to bother.

They will send their letters anyway, even if you let them in they have been know to still send them. My niece got a renewal for a former tenant who had used NoTV, so maybe it is just that they are useless.

A colleague of mine is a Barrister and has recently retired, he is going to send them some legally drafted letter and plans to charge them for administration of their junk mail.

A complaint to ICO about opting out could probably be legit if you did do the NoTV link and they carried on.

Zeesh

Hi all

Could anyone please give me a bit of advise regarding this.

I dont currently have a TV license as I don't need one. I have recently bought a new TV after moving into a new home.

("Samsung UE40KU6400" - Sorry can't post links as I am new.)

This was to replace my old broken one. I only intend to use this TV for xbox and watching DVDs etc (no live content).

This TV has built in free view. But as I understand it needs an aerial connection to work. Please correct me if I am wrong. I didn't notice that the house that I bought has already an aerial installed on the roof and its connection into the living room. I can't take the aerial out by myself as the roof is not flat and its extremely hazardous for me to climb on it. I would require specialist e.g. rope access people to come and take the aerial out for me.

Although I have not plugged in any aerial cable from that living room connection, do I still need to buy the TV license if I don't watch live content or BBC iplayer?

Also, as my TV has built in freeview, do I need a TV license regardless if I have an aerial cable plugged in or not?

Thanks.

boliston

you need a tv licence to WATCH or record live tv - the equipment you own is irellevant - however dont even dream of allowing an inspector into your home as they will almost certainly find a reason to fine you as they work on comission

almillar

Leave it unplugged if it eases your conscience. You could legitimately plug it in, and listen to radio via Freeview, for example, so just because the aerial is there, AND plugged in, still proves nothing.

Cornucopia

almillar wrote: »

You could legitimately plug it in, and listen to radio via Freeview, for example, so just because the aerial is there, AND plugged in, still proves nothing.

I would strongly recommend not doing this. There are plenty of other ways of listening to the Radio, without tempting fate in this way.

How to handle the aerial connection depends on how it terminates inside the house. If it runs into a plate on the wall, just leave it disconnected from the TV. If it is a loose lead coming through the wall, I would wind it up tightly near where it enters the house, tie it with cable ties, and wrap a plastic bag over it,securing with sellotape.


Samsung UE40KU6400 - this is a Smart TV, so you also need to think about BBC iPlayer, especially if the TV does not have the capability to hide/delete the iPlayer app (assuming you are going to connect the TV to the Internet). You may want to block the iPlayer URL on your Router or your ISP's parental controls.

b33r

Cornucopia wrote: »

I would strongly recommend not doing this. There are plenty of other ways of listening to the Radio, without tempting fate in this way.

How to handle the aerial connection depends on how it terminates inside the house. If it runs into a plate on the wall, just leave it disconnected from the TV. If it is a loose lead coming through the wall, I would wind it up tightly near where it enters the house, tie it with cable ties, and wrap a plastic bag over it,securing with sellotape.


Samsung UE40KU6400 - this is a Smart TV, so you also need to think about BBC iPlayer, especially if the TV does not have the capability to hide/delete the iPlayer app (assuming you are going to connect the TV to the Internet). You may want to block the iPlayer URL on your Router or your ISP's parental controls.

Op doesn't NEED to do any of that, unless they actually watch or record Live TV then they don't need to purchase a license.

Have you fitted a speed limiter to your car so you couldn't speed if you decided you want to? Have you wrapped your kitchen knives in a sealed plastic bag and chained them up so you couldn't go out and murder someone?

Cornucopia

b33r wrote: »

Have you fitted a speed limiter to your car so you couldn't speed if you decided you want to? Have you wrapped your kitchen knives in a sealed plastic bag and chained them up so you couldn't go out and murder someone?

No. But neither of those things are enforced with quite the same manic ferocity (and worse) as TV Licensing employ. Nor has having kitchen knives or a unregulated car been used as evidence in Court in the same way as an installed TV has.

The bottom line is that I feel obliged to give the best possible advice, and that is what I did, cautious though it may be.

Your mileage (and your advice) may vary.

b33r

Cornucopia wrote: »

No. But neither of those things are enforced with quite the same manic ferocity (and worse) as TV Licensing employ. Nor has having kitchen knives or a unregulated car been used as evidence in Court in the same way as an installed TV has.

The bottom line is that I feel obliged to give the best possible advice, and that is what I did, cautious though it may be.

Your mileage (and your advice) may vary.

Fair points yeh, because of the tactics they use if you do want an easy life it probably is worth taking reasonable steps to make sure you can't 'accidentally' break the law.

I'm firmly in the protest camp though so if I didn't need a license I certainly wouldn't put myself out to prove my innocence, I'd want to make their job as difficult as possible for them!

anotheruser

http://www.bbctvlicence.com/




I've had a letter a few days ago saying they've scheduled a visit for XX of March. Now I know when not to answer the door.
Maybe if they don't turn up, I should bill them for a lost day at work!

To be fair, I filled out a thing online and they said they wouldn't contact me for 3 years. They didn't. Filled it in for this house, they're still sending monthly letters...

Cornucopia wrote: »

I've been exchanging letters and complaints with the BBC about TV Licensing

<snip>

If anyone is interested, the BBC have provided references to the above from their website, that I can post.

Yes, please post them!