TV Licence visit? What next

Mr_Gordon_2

weegie.geek wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with having a tv without a license, leave it where it is if that's easier for you. They send these letters out with half-truths and misleading statements in them. Tell them to GTF.

The TV is going to a relative anyway, just haven't gotten around to taking it to them yet. The TV aside, I'd just rather they weren't in the house at all. If they do turn up they won't get an answer anyway I guess.

I had one of these letters ages ago when I bought a new TV, the licence for the house wasn't in my name at the time but was vaild. You'd think checking the address against their records they would know that, rather than trying to scare me into buying one. I just put it in the bin and never heard any more.

IvanOpinion

Mr_Gordon wrote: »

Wonder if anyone could help me with this.

My Grandmother passed away last year, she was over 80 and qualified for a free TV Licence. Her house is now empty with nobody living there, although there is still a TV in the house it's not been switched on for over 6 months.

We've had a letter from TV Licencing advising that we don't have a licence, and they now want to inspect the property to make sure there are no TVs in it. What right to they have exactly to push for entry to the house to check. We're happy enough to remove the TV from the house just not for someone to go poking through it looking. It's bad enough having someone go through you house, but when it's a relative's house who has recently died and still has lots of personal items around it feels much worse.

Thanks for any advice.

I have been having this problem for the past year. it appears that they can put a mark against the account to stop these but it automatically sends out a letter after another 3 months. since I have too much to lose if somebody takes too close a look at me I give them a courteous 2 minute phone call, explain the situaiton and that stops any grief for another 3 months.

ivan

moonrakerz

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

Unplug the TV from the aerial and then you're all legal.

Not correct, I'm afraid. To be legal, all you have to do is not watch it ! AND you don't have to tell them anything.

Blacksheep1979

true but it's alot easier to deny that you don't watch tv on it if you take the, oooh, all of 5 seconds to unplug the aerial. Now what's easier, doing that or coming on here and b!tching about how they're claiming that I was using it because the aerial is plugged in. I just don't get some people on this site who will dig their heels in just to prove a point because they're 'right' when a tiny little simple action will stop all the stress.

moonrakerz

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

true but it's alot easier to deny that you don't watch tv on it if you take the, oooh, all of 5 seconds to unplug the aerial. Now what's easier, doing that or coming on here and b!tching about how they're claiming that I was using it because the aerial is plugged in. I just don't get some people on this site who will dig their heels in just to prove a point because they're 'right' when a tiny little simple action will stop all the stress.

Sorry to press the point but unplugging the aerial is total irrelevant. If someone from TV Licensing turns up at your door: you do not have to speak to them, they have NO right of entry to your premises, you have the right to tell them to get off your property and they must do so.
If you are willing to let them into your house that is up to you, I have actually banned them from my property and they have acknowledged that in writing !

I had exactly the same problem as Mr Gordon (above), their threatening letters eventually led me to write to my MP, he is now pursuing the methods used by this jumped up bunch of cowboys on my, and other constituents, behalf.

Blacksheep1979

and my point proven. How much hassle to refuse them entry (and argue then and there) and then write to them etc to 'ban' them from your property compared to letting them in, showing them an unplugged TV and slightly embarassing them regarding a death in the family...

moonrakerz

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

and my point proven. How much hassle to refuse them entry (and argue then and there) and then write to them etc to 'ban' them from your property compared to letting them in, showing them an unplugged TV and slightly embarassing them regarding a death in the family...

You are missing the point:
the fact that you show them "an unplugged TV" will do nothing, except possibly make them even more suspicious.
Just tell them to push off, if you are not watching live TV then you are completely legal and there is NOTHING they can do !