TV Licencing Bullies

Steve123456789

I have no legal obligation to tell these bullies that I don't need a TV licence, do I?


To do this, I have to provide my name. They have no legal right to this information do they?


I don't get why they do this. Other companies don't threaten to sue you when you don't buy their service.

Neil_Jones

On the contrary:
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

With regards to name, well its hardly going to be a state secret considering if you're registered to vote and you've lived at your current address for more than a year it'll be on the electoral register?

And you're not "buying" a service. You get the TV signals regardless of whether you buy a licence or not and there is strictly speaking nothing to stop you using a TV without one. Just that if you get caught using it and you needed one, you can be expected to get your chequebook out for an amount that may be up to 6x the cost of the licence in the first place.

Cornucopia

Steve123456789 wrote: »

I have no legal obligation to tell these bullies that I don't need a TV licence, do I?


To do this, I have to provide my name. They have no legal right to this information do they?


I don't get why they do this. Other companies don't threaten to sue you when you don't buy their service.

If you stand up to them they fade into the background pretty fast in my experience. Things like PACE and Human Rights Act are relevant to what they do.

In terms of getting them to back off completely from their entire target population, that's quite hard. What it requires is a well-funded Judicial Review, but I don't see anyone/any group staking that much money on a situation that is resolved relatively easily on a personal basis.

It's sad, and it's one of a number of public policy issues that undermine our civil society, but there it is.

The TV Licensing "No Licence Needed" policy is not law, and the policy document contains a number of elements that are contentious on that basis. It's worrying that (assuming that this is a key document used in communication with the Public and its own staff) it doesn't recognise the somewhat complex legal situation that TV Licensing has created.

There is no requirement to comply with that policy, to complete the online form (which is not really a "declaration" in a legal sense) or to provide your name.

Steve123456789

Neil_Jones wrote: »

On the contrary:
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

With regards to name, well its hardly going to be a state secret considering if you're registered to vote and you've lived at your current address for more than a year it'll be on the electoral register?

And you're not "buying" a service. You get the TV signals regardless of whether you buy a licence or not and there is strictly speaking nothing to stop you using a TV without one. Just that if you get caught using it and you needed one, you can be expected to get your chequebook out for an amount that may be up to 6x the cost of the licence in the first place.

But I won't get caught watching live TV or iPlayer, because I don't. I honestly don't need a TV licence.


I have a dish on the side of my house and I think there's an aerial in the loft, but these were there when we moved in and I haven't ever plugged anything into them.


I just resent the fact that I am expected to "declare" that I don't need a licence.
If they want to provide the service for free, then demand EVERYONE pays after the fact, that's their funeral. This shouldn't be made into my issue.


And how would they get their hands on the electoral register? Who are they to do that?

silverwhistle

I really wouldn't worry about it. Just ignore them. The most time or attention they get from me is occasionally posting on here when I notice an appropriate post. I've long ago learnt that when they ask in a window envelope "Will you be in on the 17th October" (their latest missive) they won't actually be calling.

moneyhelpuser5

Neil Jones is completely wrong here.
If they come to the door, say "No thank you" and close it. Nothing else. As long as you're not watching live TV/Iplayer they have no right.
There are other dedicated internet forms for support on people who don't need TV licenses, please check them out.

Mutton_Geoff

Never give your name to them. And ignore all correspondance as they will find it hard to take “The Occupier” to court for anything.

As mentioned, plenty of specialist sites and You Tubes on the topic.

Steve123456789

Shall I send the letters back?


"return to sender" ?

Cornucopia

Steve123456789 wrote: »

Shall I send the letters back?


"return to sender" ?

I'd suggest not doing that. Just bin them.

You can use "cease and desist" with them, which usually stops the letters. Or you can make a official complaint, which also stops them. (Simply by telling them that you are feeling harassed puts the legal onus on them to stop harassing you).

Steve123456789

Cornucopia wrote: »

I'd suggest not doing that. Just bin them.

You can use "cease and desist" with them, which usually stops the letters. Or you can make a official complaint, which also stops them. (Simply by telling them that you are feeling harassed puts the legal onus on them to stop harassing you).

How do you make an official complaint without giving your name or email address?

Cornucopia

Steve123456789 wrote: »

How do you make an official complaint without giving your name or email address?

You'll need your address or "licence" reference number to get the letters stopped. I don't think you need to provide your name, though. There are several legal options, and in some cases TVL has confirmed that a name is not required.